Chapter 24 Summary and Analysis

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Chapter 24 Summary and Analysis

Summary

Andrew and Riley arrive at a faculty gathering hosted by Professor Jane Troth at her ancestral plantation home, about an hour from campus. They bring a bottle of top-shelf bourbon as their contribution. The house is grand and ancient, with extensive lawns, a columned veranda, and two tall stories. Andrew immediately feels an oppressive, aching pressure in his nail-beds and molars—a supernatural sensitivity to the house's history. Riley, sensing Andrew's discomfort, warns him under his breath not to use his abilities.

Inside, they enter a drawing room filled with faculty and a few students. A young woman, a classmate, greets them and mentions that the house is the original Troth plantation home, over 170 years old. Dr. Koerner, an older faculty member, strikes up a conversation. Riley covers for Andrew's unease with polite small talk.

Professor Troth invites Andrew upstairs to meet her husband, Mark, who is in ill health. On the way, Andrew notices photographs lining the hall—younger versions of Troth and Mark, and two young girls, one of whom disappears in later photos. Troth mentions she has asked West about Eddie's missing research, which makes Andrew uneasy.

In a modern study, Andrew meets Mark, who is visibly dying of cancer. Andrew recounts the McCormick family's story about a Fulton ancestor who sacrificed his sister to the land to save his sick wife, waking a sleeping power that cursed the family. Mark responds dismissively, though he admits the story is familiar. Andrew asks about a book he has been seeking—Appalachian Folk Knowledge and History by E. Gerson—but neither Troth nor Mark can help. Mark grows tired, and Andrew leaves.

In the hallway, Troth briefly shows grief over her children, mentioning that her youngest would have been Andrew's age. She quickly composes herself. Riley emerges from the house's library, and on the front steps he tells Andrew that the library is full of occult material with strong bad vibes, suggesting Troth may have more than academic interest in the supernatural.

Key Events

Andrew and Riley arrive at Troth's ancestral plantation home for a faculty gathering.
Andrew senses a pervasive, oppressive presence in the house and nearly uses his abilities; Riley physically stops him.
A student notes the house is the original Troth plantation home, over 170 years old.
Troth brings Andrew upstairs to meet her husband Mark, who is dying of cancer.
Andrew tells the Fulton family story about a sacrificial sister and a land curse.
Mark dismisses the story and cannot help with the missing book by E. Gerson.
Troth reveals grief over a deceased child who would have been Andrew's age.
Riley sneaks into the library and discovers a collection of occult material with strong negative energy.
The pair leave, with Riley adding Troth to Andrew's list of suspects.

Character Development

Andrew is increasingly overwhelmed by his supernatural sensitivity. The house's history presses on him physically, and he struggles to suppress his curse-gift, which feels