Chapter 37: Rune — 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
Shortly after midnight, Rune and Aurelia reach a towering circle of stones. They have stolen two horses from the city stables and concealed themselves with Rune’s Ghost Walker spell, hoping to make it impossible for Gideon to follow. The memory of Gideon’s expression as she left haunts Rune throughout the journey.
The stone silhouettes loom like giants, blocking out the stars. The air smells of deep, primal magic, making Rune’s skin tingle. She senses something ancient, as if the Ancients had been there moments before—as if this were the doorway they used to exit the world. Yet Rune does not believe such things. She recalls that the Cult of the Ancients, a group of religious fanatics, believed this summoning circle was once used to draw the Ancients forth. The cult sometimes called the Ancients the Seven Sisters, and they claimed the Ancients had been gone too long, slumbering too deeply, to answer anyone’s call. Rune dismisses this as a bedtime story. If the Ancients were real, she reasons, she would have seen proof by now. Instead, she attributes the lingering sensation to centuries of regular witches casting powerful spells here—an echo of their magic, not the presence of deities.
On a nearby hill stand the ruins of a once magnificent temple belonging to the Cult of the Ancients. The temple was destroyed during the revolution, and its priestesses and acolytes were killed or chased into hiding. From the summoning stones, Rune can only see a half-crumbled wall.
Rune and Aurelia waste no time. They cast the summoning spell beneath the moonlight while Meadow sleeps on a bed of moss. Rune learned the spell while studying under Seraphine but has never used it. She opens her locket and takes out a strand of Cressida’s hair, placing it in the circle’s center. Aurelia takes her casting knife and makes a small cut in her shoulder, adding to the silvery pattern of casting scars already there. Using the blood Aurelia supplies, Rune draws the symbols.
Afterward, Aurelia asks what happens next. Rune looks skyward and says they wait—the summoned could take up to twelve hours to arrive. With nothing left to do, they sleep.
Key Events
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Rune and Aurelia steal horses and use the Ghost Walker spell to hide their trail from Gideon.
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They arrive at the stone circle at midnight, where Rune feels an eerie, magical presence.
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Rune reflects on the Cult of the Ancients and their belief that the circle could summon the Ancients, but she remains skeptical.
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The ruined temple of the cult on a nearby hill serves as a reminder of the revolution’s destruction.
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Rune and Aurelia perform the summoning spell under moonlight, using Cressida’s hair and Aurelia’s blood.
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Rune reveals she learned the spell from Seraphine but never used it before.
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Aurelia cuts her shoulder with a casting knife, adding to her existing scars.
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Rune places the hair at the circle’s center and draws symbols with blood.
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Aurelia asks what happens next; Rune says they must wait up to twelve hours.
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They sleep while waiting for the summoned to arrive.
Character Development
Rune – This chapter highlights Rune’s internal conflict between belief and skepticism. She feels the magic of the stones but refuses to attribute it to the Ancients, instead rationalizing it as an echo of past witch magic. Her guilt over leaving Gideon is evident—the look in his eyes haunts her. She also demonstrates her practical knowledge: she learned the summoning spell from Seraphine but never used it, showing her caution and inexperience with this kind of magic. Her decision to use Cressida’s hair and Aurelia’s blood shows her willingness to take risks for her goal.
Aurelia – Aurelia’s actions reveal her trust in Rune and her commitment to the mission. She willingly cuts her shoulder with a casting knife, adding to her existing scars, and supplies blood for the spell. Her question “Now what?” shows her reliance on Rune’s guidance, but also her readiness to act.
Meadow – Though asleep, Meadow’s presence is a reminder of the stakes—the group is protecting her, and the summoning is happening while she rests.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Belief vs. Skepticism – Rune’s internal debate about the Ancients versus the echo of witch magic is central. She feels something powerful but refuses to accept the supernatural explanation, preferring a rational one. This tension mirrors her broader struggle with faith and trust in the world.
Echoes of Past Magic – The stones are described as holding the residue of centuries of spells. This motif suggests that magic leaves a lasting imprint, and that the past is never truly gone—a theme that resonates with the revolution’s aftermath and the characters’ personal histories.
Blood Magic – Aurelia’s blood is used to draw the summoning symbols, emphasizing the cost and intimacy of powerful magic. The existing scars on her shoulder indicate this is not the first time she has paid such a price.
Waiting and Anticipation – The chapter ends with the characters waiting up to twelve hours for the summoned to arrive. This creates suspense and underscores the uncertainty of their plan.
Revolution Aftermath – The ruined temple on the hill serves as a physical reminder of the revolution’s destruction, linking the characters’ current actions to the larger political upheaval that shaped their world.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 37 is a pivotal moment in the plot: it sets the stage for the summoning that could change everything. Rune and Aurelia have taken a significant step—stealing horses, using concealment magic, and performing a spell Rune has never attempted. The chapter deepens Rune’s character by showing her skepticism and guilt, while also advancing the theme of belief versus reality. The ruined temple and the cult’s lore add worldbuilding, connecting the present to the revolution and the Ancients. The chapter ends on a note of tense anticipation, leaving readers wondering what will arrive and whether the spell will succeed.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Rune attribute the magical feeling of the stone circle to witch magic rather than the Ancients?
Rune reasons that if the Ancients were real and had walked the world, she would have seen proof of their existence. She believes the sensation is simply the echo of centuries of regular witches casting powerful spells in that place, not the lingering presence of deities.
2. What does Aurelia’s willingness to cut her shoulder reveal about her character?
Aurelia’s action shows her commitment to the mission and her trust in Rune. She already has a pattern of casting scars, indicating she has performed blood magic before. Her willingness to sacrifice her own blood demonstrates her bravery and dedication.
3. How does the ruined temple on the hill connect to the chapter’s themes?
The temple, destroyed during the revolution, symbolizes the violent upheaval that reshaped the world. It also ties to the theme of belief versus skepticism—the cult that once worshipped there believed in the Ancients, but their temple now lies in ruins, suggesting that faith and power can be destroyed. The temple’s presence reinforces the idea that the past leaves echoes, just as the stones hold the residue of magic.