Chapter 18: Anna — 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

After the terrifying attack at the costume shop, Aunt Elaine rushes everyone back inside Ravenfall. Nora, who had a vision of the incident, embraces Anna with relief. Rose tends to Anna's wounded arm and Colin's scratches, while Uncle Roy reports that the perimeter is clear and he has disposed of the dead raven. The group gathers in the library, where Colin recounts the attack, his voice faltering as he mentions the wraith's claim that he was the reason they were discovered. Anna feels a pang of guilt, wondering if her failed attempt to draw in the journal prevented Colin from summoning his Saint Knives.

Anna then reveals that Colin had a vision of a man named Fin Varra, and that she saw the same figure in a Radharc at the costume shop. Nora identifies Fin Varra as the Irish King of the Dead, linking him to the wraiths and the soul-stealing attacks. Anna realizes that the knives Fin held in her vision were Saint Knives, one with a distinctive cat-ear-shaped nick matching Colin's. Kara bluntly voices Anna's theory: Colin may be descended from Fin Varra. Gran enters and confirms this after performing a séance that led her to Colin, explaining that his energy matches Fin's.

Gran explains that Fin was forced back to the Otherworld after Colin's older brother wounded him, but his wraiths remain. She fears that Fin's connection to Colin could allow the King of the Dead to act through him, possibly even possessing him. Anna has a vision of herself killing the Jabberwocky, which she realizes may have been a glimpse of Fin acting through Colin. Gran decides that Colin must leave Ravenfall for everyone's safety, despite protests from Anna and Uncle Roy. Gran insists that Anna's psychometry—a rare and powerful ability—can be used to find Fin by touching him and seeing the truth of his identity. Colin, overwhelmed by guilt and self-doubt, agrees to leave, and Uncle Roy offers to take him somewhere safe.

Key Events

The group returns to Ravenfall after the costume shop attack; Nora reveals her vision.
Rose treats Anna's arm and Colin's scratches.
Uncle Roy confirms the perimeter is clear and disposes of the dead raven.
Anna reveals Colin's vision of Fin Varra and her own Radharc vision.
Nora identifies Fin Varra as the Irish King of the Dead.
Anna realizes Fin held Saint Knives matching Colin's, leading to the theory of Colin's lineage.
Gran's séance confirms Colin is Fin's descendant.
Gran explains Fin's banishment and the risk of possession.
Anna has a vision of killing the Jabberwocky, implying Fin's influence.
Gran orders Colin to leave Ravenfall; Anna and Uncle Roy object.
Gran declares Anna's psychometry as the key to finding Fin.
Colin agrees to leave, and Uncle Roy offers to take him.

Character Development

Anna grapples with a deep internal conflict. She has long felt her psychometry is useless compared to others' abilities, and she sees this as a chance to prove her worth. Yet she also feels guilt for wanting Colin to leave, knowing it might be the only way she can step into a meaningful role. Her protective instincts toward Ravenfall clash with her loyalty to Colin, and she struggles to reconcile her desire for validation with her sense of right and wrong.

Colin is devastated by the revelation of his ancestry. He already blamed himself for Anna's injury, and now he learns he may be a vessel for the very force that killed his parents. His decision to leave is both an act of self-preservation and a selfless attempt to protect others, even as he doubts his own strength.

Gran emerges as an authoritative figure, making a difficult decision based on her deep knowledge of magic. Her fear of Fin's power is palpable, and she prioritizes the safety of the group over Colin's feelings, showing that her role as matriarch carries heavy responsibility.

Nora and Aunt Elaine show their protective natures, with Nora's earlier vision and Elaine's immediate concern. Uncle Roy, though loyal to Colin, ultimately supports Gran's decision, demonstrating his trust in the family's wisdom.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Family Legacy and Ancestry: Colin's descent from Fin Varra reveals how the past can haunt the present, and how inherited magic carries both power and danger.
Trust vs. Fear: The group must decide whether to trust Colin despite the risk, or let fear dictate their actions. Gran's choice reflects the tension between compassion and caution.
Self-Doubt and Proving Worth: Anna's longing to prove her psychometry is useful drives her internal struggle, while Colin's self-doubt leads him to accept exile.
Exile and Responsibility: Colin's departure echoes the theme of sacrifice for the greater good, and Anna's sense of duty to protect Ravenfall grows.
Possession and Control: The fear that Fin could act through Colin highlights the theme of losing agency, and the struggle to maintain one's identity against external forces.
Psychometry as a Rare Gift: Anna's ability is framed as uniquely powerful, capable of piercing glamour and revealing truth, symbolizing the value of seemingly overlooked talents.
The Saint Knives: These weapons symbolize the connection between Colin and Fin, and the weight of inherited magic.
The Jabberwocky: Its death in Anna's vision foreshadows the central conflict and the potential for violence.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal because it reveals Colin's true lineage and sets the stage for the novel's central conflict. The confirmation that Colin is descended from Fin Varra transforms him from a mysterious ally into a potential threat, forcing the characters to make a painful decision. It also elevates Anna's role, positioning her psychometry as the key to defeating Fin. The chapter deepens the emotional stakes by exploring themes of guilt, responsibility, and the burden of legacy, while also setting up the separation that will drive the next phase of the story.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Gran decide that Colin must leave Ravenfall?

Gran fears that Colin's connection to Fin Varra could allow the King of the Dead to possess him, as evidenced by Anna's vision of the Jabberwocky's death. She believes that keeping Colin is too risky, especially with Samhain approaching.

How does Anna's psychometry become crucial to the plan?

Gran explains that Fin's glamour can fool Rose's empathy and Kara's telepathy, but not Anna's psychometry. If Anna can touch Fin, she will get a vision of his true identity, allowing the group to find and subdue him.

What internal conflict does Anna face regarding Colin's departure?

Anna wants to prove her powers are useful and sees Colin's absence as an opportunity to step up, but she also feels guilty for wanting him to leave and worries that she might be responsible for his failure to summon his knives. This tension highlights her struggle between self-interest and loyalty.