Chapter 129

Mira is gravely wounded by Theophanie's dagger, and Violet desperately works to save her sister's life. Brennan begins mending the fatal throat wound but risks exhausting his power, forcing Sloane and Dain to transfer their own magic to him. With Mira stabilized and removed from the battlefield by Brennan, Xaden and the dragons depart to defend the city while Violet and Bodhi remain to hold their position and complete their mission.

The chapter opens with Theophanie hurling a dagger at Jack before being snatched away by a wyvern. Mira collapses with a severe throat laceration, and Violet abandons her pursuit of vengeance to catch her dying sister. Brennan arrives and uses his mending power to stanch the bleeding, but the wound is so extensive that he risks depleting himself entirely. Sensing danger, Tairn warns that Brennan nears his limit. Violet realizes she cannot transfer her own power to him. Xaden orders Garrick to remove the chest with the captured venin, and as the situation grows dire, two red dragons arrive from the south—Thoirt and Cath, piloted by Sloane and Dain Aetos. Despite flying to the field without orders, Sloane produces a cylindrical package from Aaric. When Dain realizes Brennan lacks sufficient power, he offers his own magic to Sloane, instructing her to pull excess power from him and channel it through Brennan as "life" rather than destruction. Sloane hesitantly complies, and the transfer succeeds: Mira's bleeding stops and color returns to her face. After giving himself three seconds to process relief, Violet directs Brennan to remove Mira from the battlefield. Brennan carries his unconscious sister toward Marbh to depart. Xaden washes Mira's blood from Violet's hand, kisses her, and leaves orders for her to concentrate, use only Tairn's power, and accomplish the mission. He departs with Sgaeyl toward the city. Violet notices neither Brennan nor Dain bears a mark at the back of their neck or wrist—details suggesting the power transfer had unexpected consequences. With Xaden gone, Bodhi informs Violet they have a problem.