Chapter Seventeen: Preparations and a Nightmare
⚠️ 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
The chapter opens with Cassidy, Lara, and her parents tumbling back into their New Orleans hotel room after the events of the St. Louis Cathedral. The room is in disarray: Grim the cat has broken into Lara’s backpack, spilling stones, matches, and unraveling white string. Lara quickly lies to Cassidy’s parents, claiming the supplies are gifts and that her aunt has agreed to let her spend the night. She fakes a phone call to Aunt Philly, and her parents reluctantly agree. That night, after the adults are asleep, the three friends — Cassidy, Lara, and Jacob — huddle under the covers with a phone flashlight to discuss the banishing ritual for the Emissary of Death. They debate whether to wait for the Emissary to find Cassidy or to actively seek it. Lara and Jacob vote against chasing it, fearing a trap. Cassidy agrees to let the Emissary find her. Exhausted, they decide Jacob will keep watch while the girls sleep. In a nightmare, Cassidy finds herself in a cemetery chased by the Emissary; she retreats into a tomb with a statue of the blindfolded girl from the Two of Swords card. She pulls metal swords from the statue but wakes before the Emissary reaches her. The next morning, she finds a compact mirror to replace her broken pendant and recites a personal mantra, affirming her identity and determination not to be dragged into the dark.
Key Events
- The group returns to the hotel room to find Grim has ransacked Lara’s backpack, spilling ritual supplies.
- Lara successfully convinces Cassidy’s parents to let her stay over, using a fake phone call to her aunt.
- The three friends hold a secret nighttime meeting under the covers, planning for the banishing ritual.
- Lara and Jacob vote against actively hunting the Emissary; Cassidy reluctantly agrees to let it come to her.
- Cassidy experiences a vivid nightmare where she is chased through a cemetery by the Emissary.
- In the dream, she enters a tomb with the Two of Swords statue and pulls out metal swords.
- Cassidy wakes unharmed, clutching the evil eye charm.
- The next morning, Cassidy finds a compact mirror and recites a reaffirming mantra to herself.
Character Development
Cassidy Blake: Cassidy shows growing maturity by accepting the risky plan to let the Emissary find her rather than forcing a confrontation. Her nightmare reveals her deep fear of being dragged back into the dark, but her morning mantra demonstrates her resilience and refusal to be a victim. She actively prepares for battle, seeking a replacement mirror and steadying her own heart.
Lara: Lara continues to blend her cleverness and loyalty. She concocts and executes a convincing lie to stay the night, showing her quick thinking and willingness to bend rules for the mission. She also shows concern for Jacob’s ghostly presence, snapping at him for breathing cold air, yet she joins the pact to protect Cassidy.
Jacob: Jacob remains the cautious voice of reason, voting against going looking for Death. He accepts the role of night watchman and provides silent comfort to Cassidy at the end, making a silly face to calm her after her nightmare. His presence at the foot of the bed underscores his devotion.
Grim: Though a minor character here, Grim’s destruction of the ritual supplies and his protective stance over the grave dirt pouch hint at his own otherworldly intuition — he might be warning Cassidy away from death symbols.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Preparation vs. Fear: The chapter contrasts careful planning (the discussion of ritual steps, the secret meeting) with raw fear (Cassidy’s nightmare, Lara’s dismissal of Jacob’s ghostly breath). The characters must balance readiness with courage.
The Evil Eye and Mirrors: The evil eye charm that Cassidy grips during her nightmare remains unbroken, suggesting a protective talisman. The compact mirror replaces her broken pendant; mirrors serve as tools for in-betweeners to see truth. The mantra “Look and listen. See and know. This is what you are,” originally for ghosts, is now claimed by Cassidy for the living.
Light and Dark: The makeshift tent under the covers illuminated by a phone flashlight symbolizes the fragile space Cassidy creates with her friends — a pocket of light against the surrounding darkness. The nightmare plunges her into a cemetery at night, the domain of the Emissary.
Friendship and Trust: The vote and the decision to let the Emissary approach instead of chase it show that Cassidy trusts Lara and Jacob’s judgment. Lara’s squeeze of Cassidy’s hand and Jacob’s silly face reinforce the emotional support network.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks a pivotal shift from reaction to preparation. After the cathedral encounter, the trio commits to a concrete plan: wait for the Emissary to come to Cassidy. The nightmare scene foreshadows the coming confrontation, while the morning mantra solidifies Cassidy’s resolve. It also deepens Lara’s integration into the team and reinforces Jacob’s role as guardian. The chaotic opening with Grim highlights the stakes — even the cat senses the danger. The chapter ends on a note of quiet determination, setting the stage for the climactic banishing ritual.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Lara pretend to call her aunt, and what does this reveal about her character?
Lara pretends to call Aunt Philly to cover the truth about their supernatural activities and to ensure she can stay overnight to help Cassidy. This reveals Lara’s resourcefulness, quick thinking, and willingness to deceive adults when the mission requires it, showing her loyalty to Cassidy over strict honesty.
2. The vote about whether to seek out the Emissary or let it find Cassidy ends in a tie broken by Cassidy. What are the arguments for each position, and why does Cassidy decide to let the Emissary come to her?
Jacob argues against hunting the Emissary because it is dangerous and might walk them into a trap. Lara agrees, adding that if they go after it, the Emissary might sense a trap and react differently. Cassidy ultimately chooses to let it find her because she fears being caught off guard more than waiting; she trusts her friends to help her when the moment arrives.
3. How does Cassidy’s nightmare and her morning mantra relate to her character arc in this chapter?
The nightmare embodies her deepest fear: being dragged back into the dark, represented by the Emissary and the tomb. The morning mantra is her active response — she affirms her identity and past survival, refusing to be a victim. This shows Cassidy moving from fear to determination, accepting the danger while strengthening her own will to fight.