Chapter 21: Colin — Summary, Themes, and Study Notes

⚠️ 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 Colin stuck in a motel room with Roy, waiting for news from Ravenfall. The rain and broken heat keep him restless, and he spends the day flipping through TV channels and a dictionary, trying to distract himself. He feels the weight of his grief—over his parents, Liam's disappearance, and being forced to leave the inn that had begun to feel like home. When Roy steps out for a perimeter check, Colin finally lets himself cry, releasing the emotions he had been holding in for so long. The release leaves him emptied but determined.

He decides to act. He tries to open his journal, but it feels dead and locked. Remembering the bonding words Elaine taught him, he repeats them, but nothing happens. When his hand touches the wound on his chest and comes away with blood, he gets an idea: he presses his bloody finger to the trinity knot on the journal's cover. The blood seeps in, and the connection snaps back into place. He summons his Saint Knives, feels their familiar weight, and steps outside into the foggy parking lot, intending to lure Fin out and defeat him a day early.

Alice, the motel clerk, appears and warns him that something has its eye on him. Before anything else can happen, Anna and Elaine arrive in a car, and Anna insists they return to Ravenfall immediately. In the car, Anna explains the truth: Fin never possessed Colin. The Jabberwocky was killed by Kaden, and Fin never left the Otherworld. The whole incident was a trick to get Colin out of the house so wraiths could attack. Anna also admits that she tried to draw in Colin's journal, which locked her out and disrupted his connection to his powers. Colin feels immense relief—he wasn't the problem after all.

Back at Ravenfall, Max greets him, and Nora and Gran apologize for sending him away. The group gathers in the library to plan for Samhain. Elaine lays out the situation: Fin wants to destroy the Shield, and Ravenfall is a weak spot. They need to identify Fin at the party. Anna proposes that she touch Fin to get a vision, with the twins using their abilities to spot anyone they can't read. Nora initially refuses, fearing the danger, but Roy, Kara, and Rose argue that they have no choice. Colin offers to leave to draw Fin away, but Kara points out that Fin might still attack Ravenfall, and Nora insists he stays. Gran says only the Saint Knives can wound Fin, and Colin must be the one to do it.

Colin realizes that defeating Fin means killing him—a real, flesh-and-blood person, not a wraith. He admits he's not ready for that. Anna whispers that he doesn't have to be ready, because he won't be doing it alone. Nora finally relents, and Colin declares they can do this together.

Key Events

Colin cries for the first time in a long while, releasing pent-up grief and fear.
He discovers his journal is locked and uses his blood on the trinity knot to restore his connection.
He summons his Saint Knives and steps outside the motel to lure Fin.
Alice warns him, then Anna and Elaine arrive and rush him back to Ravenfall.
Anna explains that Fin never possessed Colin; Kaden killed the Jabberwocky, and Anna's journal attempt caused the power disruption.
Nora and Gran apologize for sending Colin away.
The group plans for Samhain: Anna will touch Fin to get a vision, and the twins will help identify him.
Colin realizes defeating Fin may require killing him and admits he's not ready.
Anna reassures him that he won't be alone, and Nora reluctantly agrees to the plan.

Character Development

Colin undergoes a major emotional shift. His decision to cry marks a turning point from suppressing his feelings to acknowledging them. He moves from self-doubt to self-trust when he figures out the journal's lock, and later learns to accept help from others. His realization that he might have to kill Fin forces him to confront the moral weight of his role.
Anna shows guilt and vulnerability when she admits her mistake with the journal. Her apology and her reassurance to Colin highlight her growth as a friend who values teamwork over solo action.
Nora apologizes for her earlier fear and quick reaction, showing her willingness to admit fault and her protective nature. Her eventual agreement to the plan demonstrates her trust in the group.
Roy displays concern for Colin's safety, demanding a promise not to act alone again, reinforcing his role as a caring guardian figure.
Gran takes responsibility for letting the wraith get near her, showing humility and accountability.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Grief and emotional release: Colin's crying is a pivotal moment, showing that vulnerability can lead to clarity and determination.
Self-doubt vs. self-trust: Colin initially blames himself for his power failure, but learns it was an external cause, teaching him to question his assumptions.
Isolation vs. community: Colin's plan to face Fin alone is countered by the group's insistence on sticking together, reinforcing the theme that strength comes from unity.
Blood magic: The journal's lock is opened by Colin's blood, symbolizing the deep familial bond and the cost of magic.
Moral weight of killing: Colin's hesitation to kill Fin, despite Fin's crimes, adds complexity to his hero's journey.
Found family: The apologies and warm welcome back to Ravenfall emphasize that Colin has found a home and people who care for him.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point for Colin's character and the plot. It resolves the false accusation that Colin killed the Jabberwocky, clearing his name and restoring his confidence. It also sets up the final confrontation by establishing the Samhain plan and Colin's central role. The emotional release and the group's support solidify Colin's commitment to Ravenfall, making the stakes personal. The moral dilemma of killing Fin adds depth to the climax, ensuring that the final battle will be as much internal as external.

Study Questions and Answers

How does Colin's emotional release affect his decision-making in this chapter?

Colin's crying allows him to move past his grief and fear, leaving him with a sense of determination. This clarity leads him to take action—first by unlocking his journal and then by attempting to lure Fin. It shows that acknowledging emotions can be a source of strength rather than weakness.

What role does the journal's blood lock play in Colin's understanding of his magic?

The lock forces Colin to think creatively about his connection to his family. Using his blood on the trinity knot restores his powers, teaching him that his magic is tied to his lineage and that he can solve problems by trusting his instincts. It also highlights the theme of blood magic and the cost of wielding such power.

Why does Nora initially resist Anna's plan, and what convinces her to agree?

Nora resists because she fears the danger to Anna and everyone at the party. She is protective and cautious. She is convinced by the arguments from Kara, Rose, and Roy that they have no choice—Fin will come regardless—and by Colin's willingness to face him. Her eventual agreement shows her trust in the group and her acceptance that they must take risks to win.