Any Way the Wind Blows Chapter 13: “Baz” – Summary & Analysis
⚠️ 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
Baz uses tracking magic to locate Simon in a flat in Hackney Wick. Simon, shirtless with wings and tail, reluctantly lets him in after an invitation. Baz is furious that Simon disappeared and demands an explanation. Simon repeats that he is done—done pretending to be happy, done with magic, and done with their relationship. He says he hates being with Baz, hates how easy magic is for Baz, and hates looking at him. Baz, devastated, offers to break his wand to prove he doesn’t care about magic. Simon stops him but insists he can’t be with Baz because of his own brokenness, not because of magic. Baz pleads with him, saying they are not made of pieces that come apart. Simon internally acknowledges he loves Baz but feels he is a cracked vessel, incapable of holding onto good things. Baz says “I love you” and leaves, adding that he never thought he would be the first thing Simon ever gave up on.
Key Events
- Baz locates Simon in Hackney Wick using a tracking spell and arrives at his flat.
- Simon keeps the door chained; after a tense exchange, he invites Baz inside.
- Baz confronts Simon about his disappearance and the note he left instead of a proper goodbye.
- Simon declares he is done with everything: magic, mages, and Baz.
- Simon admits he hates being with Baz and cites his own loss of magic as the reason.
- Baz offers to break his wand to prove magic doesn’t matter to him.
- Simon reveals he is having his wings removed the next day.
- The two stand forehead to forehead; Baz begs Simon not to end things.
- Simon explains internally that he is too broken to stay, referencing the Mage’s words about being a cracked vessel.
- Baz says “I love you” and walks out, delivering a final bitter line.
Character Development
Baz shows a new vulnerability. He is willing to give up his magic—his core identity—to keep Simon. His anger masks deep hurt, and his plea (“Please, Simon. Don’t do this”) reveals how much he depends on their love. The chapter ends with him in quiet despair, having said “I love you” as a last resort that fails.
Simon is consumed by self-loathing. He believes he doesn’t deserve Baz and that his own brokenness makes a future together impossible. He equates his loss of magic with a loss of worth, and he pushes Baz away even though he knows Baz is the love of his life. His decision to remove his wings symbolizes his desire to erase the magical part of himself entirely.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Loss of magic as loss of self: Simon cannot separate his identity from his magic; without it, he feels worthless and incapable of being loved.
- Love and sacrifice: Baz’s offer to break his wand represents a sacrifice of his magical heritage for Simon, while Simon’s decision to leave is a sacrifice of love out of a sense of unworthiness.
- The cracked vessel: Simon’s memory of the Mage saying he was “got wrong” echoes throughout the chapter, highlighting his belief that he is fundamentally flawed.
- Wings as burden: Simon’s wings, which he plans to have removed, symbolize the magical world he can no longer bear.
- The threshold spell: Baz cannot enter without an invitation, underscoring Simon’s control over the relationship and his unwillingness to let Baz in emotionally.
Why This Chapter Matters
This is a turning point for Simon and Baz’s relationship. For the first time, Simon openly states he is done with Baz, and Baz fails to talk him out of it. The chapter crystallizes Simon’s internal crisis: he cannot separate his identity from magic, and he believes he is too broken to be loved. It also shows Baz at his most vulnerable, willing to abandon magic for love. The breakup sets up the emotional stakes for the rest of the novel, as both characters must decide whether they can rebuild themselves—and their relationship—after this fracture.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Simon say he hates being with Baz even though he still loves him? Simon’s hatred is a defense mechanism. He feels worthless now that his magic is gone and believes he is a “charity case” who can’t even leave the house without help. He tells himself he doesn’t deserve Baz, and pushing Baz away feels like the only way to regain control. His internal monologue confirms that Baz is “the love of my life,” but Simon cannot accept that love because he thinks he is broken.
2. What does Baz mean when he says, “I never thought I’d be the first thing you ever gave up on”? Baz has always seen Simon as someone who never gives up—he fought the Humdrum, defied the Mage, and survived impossible odds. By leaving, Simon is giving up on their relationship first, and Baz is shocked that he would abandon the one thing Baz thought was unshakable.
3. How does the chapter use the threshold spell to reinforce the emotional dynamic? Baz cannot enter Simon’s flat without an explicit invitation, even though Simon stands right there. The spell literalizes Simon’s emotional barriers: he controls how close Baz can get. When Simon finally flicks his tail to invite Baz in, it’s a reluctant concession, mirroring how Simon holds back his true feelings until the end of the argument.