Chapter 20 Summary, Analysis, and Key Moments

⚠️ 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 in the dining hall, where the remaining contestants immediately turn on Ophelia. Cade and Beau accuse her of being a Demon, and Cade slaps her hard enough to split her lip. The sight of her red blood convinces the group she is mortal, and Charlotte and James defend her. Ophelia stands her ground, taunting Cade and Beau, and the tension simmers through an awkward dinner. She counts twenty contestants remaining, meaning six did not survive the first level.

The Devil Drima, whose specialty is lust, appears in a cloud of red smoke. When a contestant makes a lewd comment, she removes his mouth with a wave of her hand, leaving him writhing on the floor. She then summons a portal and gives the contestants a clue: they must choose one of five lustful vices, find the truth before the fourth bell, and locate a key beneath a bed.

Ophelia steps through the portal into an opulent room filled with masked partiers on circular beds, lit by black candles and mirrored ceilings. A waiter offers her a choice of colored drinks, and she picks the red one. The drink induces a dazed, euphoric state. Performers are suspended from the ceiling, and attendees begin stabbing them and drinking their blood. A masked woman tries to claim Ophelia, but a stranger who looks like Blackwell rescues her, gives her a pink antidote, and explains that she chose bloodlust. He tells her she must drink someone's blood and let them drink hers to escape.

As the imposter Blackwell prepares to bite her, Ophelia notices her locket is lifeless and realizes he is not the real Blackwell. She fights him off, and the real Blackwell appears, having been summoned by her saying his name three times. He explains the trial's mechanics: the illusion of the person you lust after is designed to distract you until the fourth bell, and the key to freedom is beneath one of the beds. They search several beds, encountering another imposter who morphs into Blackwell's form. Ophelia knees him, and they find the trap door. As the final bell chimes, they jump through together.

Key Events

Cade slaps Ophelia, and her red blood proves she is mortal, defusing the Demon accusation.
Drima announces level two, themed on lust, and removes a contestant's mouth for a lewd comment.
Ophelia chooses the red drink, which induces a dazed state and reveals the trial's bloodlust theme.
An imposter posing as Blackwell rescues Ophelia and gives her an antidote, but she sees through the illusion when her locket remains lifeless.
The real Blackwell appears, explains the trial's mechanics, and helps Ophelia find the trap door beneath a bed.
They jump through the trap door as the fourth bell chimes, completing the level.

Character Development

Ophelia shows growing confidence and resilience. She does not cower when accused, taunts her enemies, and uses her wits to see through the imposter's illusion. Her realization that the locket is a truth indicator shows she is learning to trust her instincts and the tools she has.
Blackwell reveals more of his role as a guide, explaining the trial's rules and demonstrating a protective, if teasing, concern for Ophelia. His comment about being fond of choking as a method of attack hints at a darker, playful side.
Cade is established as a persistent antagonist, but his accusation is deflated by the evidence of Ophelia's mortality.
Ophelia's reflection on her past affair with Elliott Trahan suggests she is beginning to understand that her lack of passion in that relationship may have been due to the person, not the act, hinting at her growing feelings for Blackwell.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Lust and Bloodlust: The trial's theme is literal, with the red drink representing bloodlust. The chapter explores desire as both a temptation and a trap, as the illusion of Blackwell is designed to exploit Ophelia's attraction.
Illusion vs. Reality: The entire trial is an illusion, and Ophelia must learn to distinguish between what appears real and what is true. The locket serves as a symbol of truth, warming when Blackwell is near and remaining lifeless when an imposter is present.
Deception and Trust: The imposter's ability to mimic Blackwell's appearance and voice tests Ophelia's trust. She must rely on her own judgment and the locket's guidance rather than appearances.
The Shadow Voice: Ophelia hears the Shadow Voice urging her to violence when the second imposter grabs her, suggesting a darker force within her that is growing more active.
Masks: The partiers wear masks, symbolizing hidden identities and the deceptive nature of the trial.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens the novel's central conflict by introducing a trial that tests not just physical survival but emotional and psychological vulnerability. Ophelia's ability to resist the illusion of Blackwell demonstrates her growth and her growing connection to him, while also highlighting the dangers of desire. The chapter also advances the mystery of the Shadow Voice and the locket's significance, setting up future revelations about Ophelia's powers and her relationship with Blackwell.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Ophelia choose the red drink, and what does this choice reveal about her?

Ophelia chooses the red drink without knowing its effects, but the choice aligns with her impulsive nature and her willingness to take risks. The red drink leads to bloodlust, which forces her to confront a violent, primal desire. This choice reveals that Ophelia is not cautious or calculating in the trial; she acts on instinct, which both endangers her and allows her to experience the trial's true nature.

2. How does Ophelia recognize the imposter Blackwell, and what does this say about her relationship with the real Blackwell?

Ophelia recognizes the imposter when she notices her locket is lifeless and when the imposter calls her