Chapter 72

Pyrok encounters a mysterious red-haired stranger named Essi who has been conducting dangerous rune experiments in Raeve's workspace. Through conversation and a blood-bonding ritual, he discovers she knows the whereabouts of his missing sister Dothea and offers to help him reach her in an underground cavern city.

Pyrok wakes to find a stranger unconscious in Raeve's living quarters. Struck by her appearance—pale skin, red hair, and unusual fae features—he notices an uncanny resemblance to a family portrait. While exploring the space, he discovers elaborate runic experiments on stones, many shattered or charred. The stranger, Essi, wakes and warns him about death runes etched around the window. She reveals she lived in the Undercity and explains that Raeve is alive and traveling with Bothaim's protégé, who possesses the Book of Voyd and may be able to sever blood binds. Pyrok introduces himself, and Essi shares her shortened name. They bond over butter-laden bread and discuss his need to find his sister. When Gruffin, a young Moltenmaw, begins crying from hunger, Essi produces a fresh crowl leg torn apart by hand—an unsettling display of strength. After feeding the creature, Pyrok asks Essi to help him leave safely. She offers to etch protective runes using his blood. During the ritual, Pyrok reveals his emotional vulnerability, and Essi mentions her dead parents. When Essi smells his blood, she recognizes it: she has previously worked blood-runes for Queen Dothea Vaegor—Pyrok's sister. Essi reveals Dothea is alive and safe in an underground cavern city engineered to withstand the moonfall impacts. She invites Pyrok to accompany her once she completes dangerous work that requires isolation. Pyrok accepts, and they agree they'll need more meat for Gruffin.