Chapter 45: Gideon — Summary and 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

The chapter opens with Gideon and Laila leading a Blood Guard raid on a print shop, acting on a tip from Harrow. The Ministry of Public Safety has imposed a curfew and suspended citizens' rights to allow such raids wherever casting signatures are suspected. Gideon and Laila enter the shop's uppermost room with their squad, only to find it empty. Dozens of freshly lit candles ring the perimeter, and blood-drawn symbols cover the floor. In the center, a white casting signature glimmers—not the crimson moth shape Gideon hoped for, but one with thorns and petals: Cressida's signature.

Laila spots an open window high on the wall. Gideon and Laila climb onto the roof, but thick fog limits visibility. Laila spots movement and fires three shots, but the suspects escape westward. Gideon, feeling uneasy about the situation, insists they return to the shop despite Laila's protest that she almost had the witch. As they head back, they hear a sound behind them and turn with guns raised. The figure reveals herself as Harrow, who claims she came to offer backup.

Gideon briefly entertains the possibility that Harrow could be Cressida in disguise, but dismisses it because he can't smell magic on her. Harrow then presses Gideon about his mission with Rune. He admits he changed his mind about her, arguing that if Rune were the Crimson Moth, Cressida wouldn't have tried to kill her. Harrow counters with a logical argument: Cressida's spell could have been a diversion to prevent Rune from being exposed during the purging, and the two might be in league. She suggests Gideon sleep with Rune to check for scars, planting a seed of doubt in him. Harrow then accuses Gideon of falling in love with Rune, which he flinches at but doesn't deny.

Back inside the shop, they discuss Cressida's plot. Harrow predicts an attack on Liberty Day, and Laila agrees. Suddenly, Harrow smells magic, and Gideon recognizes the scent of blood and roses. Realizing the witches are still present, they search for the source. Gideon senses they've been set up—the fog, the empty room, the freshly lit candles all suggest they were expected. Before he can stop Harrow, an explosion throws Gideon against a wall, knocking him unconscious.

Key Events

Gideon and Laila raid a print shop based on Harrow's tip about casting signatures.
They find an empty room with lit candles, blood-drawn symbols, and Cressida's casting signature.
They chase suspects through thick fog; Laila fires shots but the suspects escape westward.
Gideon insists on returning, overriding Laila's desire to continue the chase.
Harrow appears, startling them; Gideon briefly suspects she might be Cressida but dismisses it.
Harrow argues that Rune could still be the Crimson Moth and suggests Gideon sleep with her to check for scars.
Harrow accuses Gideon of falling in love with Rune, which he doesn't deny.
Back at the shop, they discuss Cressida's plot and predict an attack on Liberty Day.
They smell magic, realizing the witches are still present, then an explosion knocks Gideon unconscious.

Character Development

Gideon is the focal point of this chapter. His internal conflict intensifies as he grapples with his duty to the Blood Guard and his growing feelings for Rune. He initially tries to rationalize his change of heart by arguing that Rune can't be the Crimson Moth because Cressida tried to kill her. However, Harrow's logic plants a seed of doubt that grows into a