Chapter 36: The Engagement Shepard Hid
⚠️ 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
Penelope and Shepard take a train to Croydon to meet Kipper’s mother, Debbie, who is an expert in Demonic languages. On the way, Penelope notices Shepard is unusually quiet and pensive. She asks if he is afraid of seeing the demon again, but he deflects. At Debbie’s house, she and her fox-spirit boyfriend Jeremey examine Shepard’s tattooed arms. Debbie declares the writing is Demonic legalese—a contract, not a simple curse. The tattoos represent a marriage agreement with a demon. She refuses to translate aloud for fear of summoning the creature. Kipper draws a protection circle, and Penelope casts her own spells while Debbie writes a sanitised translation. When the session ends, Penelope storms out. Shepard follows, and she confronts him about hiding the engagement. Shepard admits he knew the curse was a marriage contract but didn’t want Penelope to think he was “in a relationship.” Penelope accuses him of lying by omission and feels betrayed, questioning why she ever trusted a Normal.
Key Events
- Shepard and Penelope travel to Croydon; Penelope observes his unusual pensiveness.
- Debbie and Jeremey examine the tattoos and identify them as a demonic marriage contract written in Demonic legalese.
- Debbie refuses to read the full text aloud; Kipper draws a protection circle, and Penelope casts her own spells.
- Debbie provides a written translation that omits the most dangerous words (e.g., the demon’s name).
- After the translation, Penelope walks away in anger; Shepard chases her.
- Penelope confronts Shepard about hiding the fact that the curse is an engagement.
- Shepard admits he withheld the truth because he didn’t want Penelope to think he was in a relationship.
- Penelope declares she can no longer trust him and questions her decision to help a Normal.
Character Development
- Penelope: Her vulnerability emerges. She is jealous of Kipper’s easy rapport with Shepard and angry that Shepard told Kipper the truth before telling her. She feels foolish for breaking her own rules about Normals and spells. Her trust is shattered, and she contemplates wiping Shepard’s memory.
- Shepard: Though usually sociable and carefree, he is revealed to be deeply evasive. He withheld a crucial fact about his curse because he feared Penelope’s judgment. His attempt to control the narrative backfires, and he appears genuinely pitiful when caught.
- Kipper (Old Kipper): She is resourceful and kind, offering her family’s help. She draws the protection circle and shows clear interest in Shepard, which fuels Penelope’s jealousy.
- Debbie: A wise and cautious magickal forger with multiple eyes and hands. She recognises the danger of the contract and prioritises safety over curiosity.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
- Trust vs. Secrecy: The chapter hinges on Penelope’s discovery that Shepard deliberately hid the true nature of his curse. Her insistence on “information-gathering mode” contrasts with Shepard’s sociable openness, but he proves to be the more secretive one.
- Contracts and Consent: The demonic marriage contract reframes the curse as a binding legal agreement. This motif questions the nature of consent—Shepard entered the deal willingly, even if he misunderstood the terms.
- Protection and Vulnerability: The physical protection circle and Penelope’s spells mirror the emotional walls she builds. Her anger is a form of self-protection after Shepard broke her trust.
- Magical Beings as Family: Kipper’s family (Debbie and Jeremey the fox) is presented as a functional, if unconventional, unit. This contrasts with Penelope’s own strained relationship with her mother.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 36 is a turning point in Penelope and Shepard’s relationship. It reveals that Shepard’s curse is not a random affliction but a contract he knowingly (if naively) entered. This recontextualises all previous investigations and raises the stakes: breaking the curse might require voiding a marriage to a demon. The chapter also deepens Penelope’s character, showing her jealousy, distrust, and her willingness to sever ties when betrayed. The fallout sets up tension for the remainder of the book.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Penelope feel betrayed by Shepard in this chapter?
Penelope believes Shepard deliberately lied by omission. He never mentioned that his curse was a marriage contract, even when she repeatedly asked him to explain. He told Kipper the truth upon first meeting, which makes Penelope feel she was not trusted.
2. What does Debbie’s reaction to the tattoos reveal about the curse?
Debbie identifies the writing as Demonic legalese and says it is a contract, not just a curse. She warns that reading it aloud could summon the demon, implying the tattoos are a binding legal agreement with serious consequences.
3. How does Penelope’s jealousy influence her actions in this chapter?
Penelope admits (to herself) that she might be jealous of Kipper’s cool appearance and her easy connection with Shepard. This jealousy makes her less patient with Shepard’s evasiveness and contributes to her explosive reaction when she learns the truth.