Chapter 13: Trophies – Lachlan Uncovers Lark’s Deadly Secrets

⚠️ 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

While Lark is out, Lachlan searches her apartment for anything she might be hiding. He finds a hidden box behind a movie poster in her bedroom. The box contains a boot-lace coaster with a suspicious stain, two painted maracas that turn out to be made of human skin, and a mason jar holding a severed finger adorned with a signet ring. When Lark returns, Lachlan confronts her. She initially evades, but he crushes one of the maracas, revealing human teeth. Finally, under pressure, Lark admits she has killed ten people—though she prefers the term “multiple deleter.” She explains she began killing so her loved ones would never have to do it for her, implying her sister Sloane was forced to kill during their time at boarding school. Lachlan is stunned but feels a new understanding of the deep pain Lark hides. Lark flees the apartment, leaving Lachlan alone. He resolves to learn more about the true Lark Kane.

Key Events

Lachlan searches Lark’s bedroom while she is out, feeling conflicted about violating her privacy.
He discovers a hidden compartment behind a Constantine poster, containing a small cardboard box.
The box contains a corded boot-lace coaster, two maracas made of leather (likely human skin), and a jar holding a severed finger with an engraved signet ring.
Lark returns and tries to deflect with humor and complaints about her music lesson, but Lachlan persists.
He crushes one of the maracas to reveal human teeth, and shakes the jar to show glittering snowflake “snow globe” effect inside.
Lark admits she is a “multiple deleter,” confirming she has killed ten people.
She reveals her motive: she does it so “no one I love has to do it for me ever again,” implicitly referencing her sister Sloane’s past actions.
Lachlan feels a shift in his perception—he sees the pain beneath Lark’s bright exterior.
Lark leaves abruptly, and Lachlan, now determined, follows her out into the stairwell but does not stop her.
He acknowledges he still knows almost nothing about Lark Kane and decides to dig deeper.

Character Development

Lachlan Kane: Lachlan’s internal conflict deepens. He begins this chapter determined to uncover Lark’s secrets, but he is also aware of his growing feelings and respect for her autonomy. After the revelation, he experiences a mixture of shock, fear, and a newfound empathy. He realizes her armor of humor and movie quotes hides immense pain. His desire to protect her expands beyond duty to genuine care, though he is still processing the magnitude of her actions.
Lark Montague (now Lark Kane): This chapter marks a major revelation. The playful, sarcastic persona she wears around Lachlan cracks. She admits her true identity as a serial killer (or “multiple deleter”). She reveals a deep-seated trauma: she started killing to protect those she loves from being forced to do the same. Her fear of disappointing her family and friends is profound. Notably, she uses the truth as a weapon against Lachlan, acknowledging he already thought poorly of her, so it costs her nothing. Yet her vulnerability shows she still cares about his judgment, even as she denies it.
Bentley (the dog): Serves as a silent observer and comic relief, as a passive presence that underscores Lachlan’s isolation and confusion.

Themes, Symbols, and Motifs

Secrets and Hidden Truths: The hidden box behind the poster serves as a literal symbol of Lark’s secret life. Lachlan’s search represents the invasion of privacy but also the necessity of uncovering truth in a world built on lies. The trophies—especially the finger snow globe—emphasize that Lark’s killings are not random; they are ritualized and meaningful.
Identity and Performance: Lark’s “multiple deleter” euphemism shows her desire to frame her violence in a less terrifying context. She adopts a cheerful tone when admitting the truth, using humor to distance herself from the horror. Lachlan recognizes this as armor, and the chapter questions whether either of them can truly know the other.
Protection and Sacrifice: Lark’s motive—“so no one I love has to do it for me ever again”—drives home the theme of sacrificial love. She takes on the burden of killing to prevent Sloane (and presumably others) from enduring that trauma. This echoes the larger family drama of the Montague and Covaci dynasties, where violence is inherited.
Trophies as Memory and Meaning: The finger, teeth, and coaster are not just gruesome souvenirs; they hold personal significance. The signet ring likely belongs to a victim connected to Lark’s past or family. The glitter snow globe transforms a macabre object into something eerily beautiful, reflecting Lark’s twisted perspective.

Why This Chapter Matters

“Trophies” is a turning point in the narrative. It forces Lachlan to confront the truth about Lark, shattering his previous assumptions. For the first time, he sees her not as a troublesome socialite but as a deeply wounded woman who has made horrific choices to protect those she loves. This chapter redefines the stakes of their marriage and partnership: Lachlan must decide whether he can accept Lark’s past and help her navigate the dangers of her world. The revelation also foreshadows future conflicts—both internal (Lachlan’s moral struggle) and external (law enforcement, rival families, or past victims seeking revenge). The chapter deepens the thematic exploration of masks, truth, and the cost of loyalty.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Lachlan feel the need to search Lark’s apartment, and how does this reflect his internal conflict?
Lachlan searches because he believes Lark is hiding something that could put her in danger. He violates her privacy despite his own discomfort, demonstrating his growing protective instinct over her safety—even at the cost of her trust. His guilt is evident as he struggles to justify his actions to himself and to Bentley.
Lark describes herself as a “multiple deleter” rather than a serial killer. What does this euphemism reveal about her character?
The term shows Lark’s need to distance herself from the full moral weight of her actions. It allows her to reframe violence as a practical problem-solving tool rather than a defining identity. It also highlights her sharp, dark humor and her desire to control how others perceive her—even in the most extreme confession.
How does Lark’s explanation of her motive (“so that no one I love has to do it for me ever again”) connect to her relationship with Sloane?
Lark implies that Sloane was forced to kill during their boarding school days, which Lark sees as a trauma she must spare Sloane from repeating. By taking on the killings herself, Lark attempts to protect her sister from further moral injury. This revelation deepens the bond between the sisters and suggests that Lark’s violent actions are rooted in love and sacrifice, not malice.

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