Gothikana Chapter 10: Avoiding Vad, a Secret Letter, and a Town's Dark Past
⚠️ 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
Corvina has spent several weeks actively avoiding Vad Deverell after their kiss in the ruins, but she constantly finds him near the library, dining hall, or campus grounds. She misses the piano music that no longer drifts from his tower. On her twenty-second birthday, she needs to mail a letter to her mother, who resides in a psychiatric institute. Discovering the next postal delivery is two weeks away, she accepts a ride from Vad, who is heading into town. During the drive, Vad asks her to call him by his first name when alone, revealing it means “untamed.” Corvina confides that her mother is alive but institutionalized; Vad shares that he grew up in a boys’ home and was later adopted. In town, Corvina meets Mrs Remi, the librarian’s sister, who recounts local legends about historical disappearances during full moons—children from the school sacrificing townspeople. She warns Corvina that tonight is a full moon, stirring a sense of dread.
Key Events
- Corvina’s weeks of avoidance are broken when she needs to post a letter and only Vad can take her.
- She reveals her mother’s condition to Vad and learns parts of his childhood.
- In town, Mrs Remi tells Corvina about the “Slayers” and the disappearances that occurred on full moons.
- The chapter ends with a thunderstorm and Mrs Remi’s ominous warning: “it’s a full moon tonight.”
- Corvina feels the weight of the town’s dark history and her own secrets converging.
Character Development
Corvina begins trusting someone with her family secret for the first time, showing growth from isolation. She also initiates physical contact (squeezing Vad’s shoulder) and asserts herself socially by asking Mrs Remi about the disappearances. Vad reveals his orphan background and the meaning of his name, hinting at a wilder side. He offers genuine comfort but still maintains emotional distance. Mrs Remi serves as a local historian, reinforcing the gothic atmosphere with folk warnings. Troy and Jade continue as supportive friends, though Troy is unaware of the letter’s importance.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Full Moon / Cycles: The lunar phase ties to disappearances and Corvina’s birthday, suggesting recurring danger and fate.
- Secrecy and Trust: Corvina’s letter and Vad’s childhood both require confidences; the car becomes a confessional space.
- Boundaries: The trip outside Verenmore’s walls symbolizes freedom but also exposure to the town’s grim lore.
- Music: The absence of piano music mirrors the emotional distance between Corvina and Vad since their kiss.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens the mystery of Verenmore by linking the school’s past to the town’s violent history and the present threat of a full moon. It also advances the central romance: Corvina and Vad share vulnerability for the first time, building intimacy outside the castle’s oppressive walls. The introduction of Mrs Remi provides a credible oral-history source that verifies the “Slayers” legend and raises stakes for the story’s horror elements.
Study Questions and Answers
Q1: Why does Corvina choose to tell Vad about her mother?
A: She feels an instinct to trust him after their kiss and his earlier warnings. The private car ride and his own disclosure about his upbringing create a reciprocal vulnerability, making her feel safe enough to share half the truth.
Q2: What does the full moon signify in this chapter?
A: It connects the historical disappearances—children from Verenmore sacrificing townspeople—to the present night. Mrs Remi’s fear suggests the danger may have never truly ended, foreshadowing supernatural or violent events.
Q3: How does the author use setting to contrast Verenmore with the town?
A: The castle is gothic, claustrophobic, and filled with secrets; the town appears normal with houses, children, and a post office. Yet the town holds ancient, disturbing knowledge, blurring the line between safe and dangerous spaces.