Chapter 36: The End of Evil and a Glimmer of Hope

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Hester awakens on the lawn, her throat raw from unleashing the water-note that stripped away magic. Richard has a deep gash on his cheek. Evangeline lies crumpled but breathing. Suddenly, Falada appears—no longer a horse but a horrifying, many-eyed, multi-jointed monster with a rib-cage mouth. Evangeline tries to banish him, but Falada tramples and kills her, then turns toward Hester and Richard. As the creature begins to fade, a brave gander attacks it, buying precious seconds. Falada lunges but dissolves into daylight.

A week later, the survivors gather for tea. They debate whether Falada was a demon. Cordelia explains that the layers of spells on the familiar were peeled away, leaving only the binding that kept him in this world—which finally gave out. Richard and Willard discuss writing a monograph on dealing with sorcery. Later, Richard joins Hester on the patio and reveals he isn't proposing marriage—he wants to adopt Cordelia. He suggests Hester move to Evermore House as chaperone. Hester agrees. In the final scene, Cordelia visits Penelope's grave in the city cemetery, leaving flowers and speaking to her departed friend. She resolves to live with style.

Key Events

Hester uses the water-note to strip magic, severely burning her throat.
Falada transforms into a monstrous, glass-like creature with extra eyes and joints.
Evangeline attempts to command Falada back; he kills her by stamping her into the ground.
The gander distracts Falada, allowing him to fade away with the dawn light.
One week later, the group discusses the nature of Falada and the ritual.
Richard proposes adopting Cordelia; Hester agrees to move in as chaperone.
Cordelia visits Penelope's grave and says an emotional goodbye.

Character Development

Hester: Her fear vanishes after using the water-note; she regrets wasting years keeping Richard at arm's length. She accepts Richard's unconventional plan to live under the same roof.
Richard: Shows unwavering bravery, stepping in front of Falada even with a schoolboy boxing stance. He also demonstrates thoughtfulness and pragmatism by proposing adoption rather than marriage—respecting Hester's independence while building a new family.
Cordelia: Gains confidence and autonomy. She no longer cringes from Imogene's criticism. She takes control of her own story, choosing to honor Penelope and move forward without fear.
Evangeline: Dies in a brutal, ignominious end—broken by her own familiar. Her last act of attempted control fails completely.
Falada: Revealed as a tragic victim of long-term compulsion. His transformation is horrifying, but his desire for revenge against Evangeline—and his final inability to stay—show he was never truly malevolent, only trapped and angry.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

The power of choice vs. compulsion: Falada was obedient for decades; his final rampage is the only free choice he ever makes. Cordelia likewise now chooses her own path. Hester chooses to open her heart.
Transformation and transience: Falada shifts from horse to monster to fading light. The water-note strips away layers of magic, mirroring how trauma strips away pretense. The cloud that looks like a white horse at the end suggests that even terrible things can become something beautiful.
Heroism in the ordinary: A short-legged gander—injured, human-bred for docility—sacrifices himself to distract a monster. The novel ends with a sense that everyday courage matters more than sorcery.
Family beyond blood: Richard's plan to adopt Cordelia and live with Hester as an unconventional family underscores the book's emphasis on chosen relationships over biological ties.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 36 is the final chapter of A Sorceress Comes to Call. It resolves the central conflict: Falada's death and Evangeline's demise. More importantly, it shows the aftermath—how survivors process trauma, rebuild, and redefine happiness. The chapter subverts the expected romantic endpoint (marriage) in favor of a quieter, more nuanced arrangement that prioritizes Cordelia's well-being and Hester's autonomy. The visit to Penelope's grave provides emotional closure and underscores the theme of remembering the dead with style rather than sorrow.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Falada kill Evangeline so brutally, even though she is the one who bound him?
Falada has been forced into obedience for years, stripped of his own shape and will. His final actions are driven by pent-up rage and a desire for revenge. Cordelia observes that he "wanted to do as much damage as he could" before being forced to leave this world. He targets Evangeline first because she is the source of his long captivity.

2. What is the significance of Richard's adoption proposal rather than a marriage proposal?
Richard recognizes that Hester values her independence and that Cordelia needs a stable home, not a wedding spectacle. By planning to adopt Cordelia and asking Hester to be a live-in chaperone, he creates a family unit without forcing Hester to sacrifice her identity or submit to traditional gender roles. This solution honors Hester's past refusals and builds a future on mutual respect.

3. How does Cordelia's visit to Penelope's grave show her growth?
Cordelia speaks to Penelope as an equal, seeking advice but already knowing the answer: "do it with style." She no longer lives in fear of her mother or of social judgment. She accepts uncertainty about her father and about the future, but she is determined to face it with grace. She is no longer a passive victim but an active participant in her own life.