Chapter 38 – Liam: Fury, Jealousy, and a Brutal Interruption
⚠️ 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 from Liam’s perspective as Dianna is shot by Santiago. Bound to a wall by Camilla’s green magic, Liam witnesses Dianna’s body fall. During Camilla’s kiss, he receives visions showing Azrael’s daughter, the book she possesses, and the town where she stayed. Camilla warns him to play along to protect Dianna.
Despite his rage, Liam restrains himself. Darkness swells, and Dianna transforms into a sleek black beast that attacks Camilla. Liam pulls her off, realizing he needs Camilla alive. Dianna’s beast tears through Santiago’s coven members. The Irvikuva arrive, and Liam protects Camilla using his shield. He heals Camilla’s wounds with silver light; she tells him Dianna cares for him and that she “only made her see.” She then vanishes.
Liam re-enters the crumbling mansion, kills Irvikuva, and finds Dianna methodically dismembering them. He grabs her and launches through the roof into the jungle, using fog to conceal them from aerial hunters.
An argument erupts. Dianna, her emotions amplified by fresh blood, accuses Liam of choosing Camilla’s kiss over her safety. Liam explains the kiss was for information, but Dianna throws fireballs at him. He realizes her jealousy means she still cares. Their confrontation grows intimate: Dianna asks if he wants her to be jealous, and they nearly kiss. At that moment, an Irvikuva impales Dianna from behind and drags her into the underbrush.
Key Events
- Santiago shoots Dianna while Liam is magically bound.
- Camilla’s kiss transmits visions of Azrael’s daughter and the book’s location; she warns Liam to cooperate.
- Dianna shifts into a monstrous black beast and mauls Camilla before attacking the coven.
- Liam heals Camilla, who hints that Dianna’s feelings for him are real.
- The villa explodes; Liam retrieves Dianna and escapes into the jungle.
- Dianna confronts Liam about the kiss, expressing hurt and jealousy.
- Liam admits he wanted Dianna’s lips instead and that she “owns” him.
- An Irvikuva stabs Dianna and abducts her just as Liam leans in to kiss her.
Character Development
This chapter deepens Liam’s emotional vulnerability. Centuries of suppressing desire crack as he admits his need for Dianna outweighs his duty. He acknowledges that she has seduced him without trying and that he wants her more than a throne. His protectiveness is raw, and his fear of losing her drives every action.
Dianna’s character is laid bare through her rage. The blood-heightened emotions strip away her usual control, revealing jealousy, pain, and a desperate desire to be chosen. Her accusation that Liam treats her as a pawn shows how deeply she craves agency and sincerity. The near-kiss moment demonstrates her willingness to trust him again—until violence intervenes.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Control vs. Freedom: Liam is physically bound by Camilla’s magic, yet later he bounds himself emotionally to Dianna. Dianna rails against being a pawn for anyone, yet her beast form embodies raw, uncontrolled power. The fog Liam summons represents both concealment and a forced isolation that mirrors their emotional standoff.
Kisses as Transactions: Camilla’s kiss transmits vital information but also triggers Dianna’s jealousy. The kiss becomes a symbol of betrayal and necessity, contrasting sharply with the genuine but interrupted kiss Liam and Dianna almost share.
Beast as Identity: Dianna’s shift into a black beast while fighting highlights her Ig’Morruthen nature. The monster is her strength, but also the part of her that Kaden controls. Liam’s fear of her as a “slayer of beasts” suggests he sees the monster and the woman as one.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 38 serves as a critical emotional and plot pivot. The visions from Camilla reveal the next target for the Book of Azrael, advancing the quest. The intense argument between Liam and Dianna finally exposes the romantic tension that has simmered, only to have it violently interrupted. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger—Dianna is impaled and dragged away—raising the stakes for the next chapter and testing whether their bond can survive betrayal, jealousy, and immediate danger.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Dianna react so furiously to Liam kissing Camilla?
Dianna’s anger stems from feeling betrayed and devalued. She believes Liam could have freed himself but instead let her take multiple gunshots. Her blood-heightened emotions amplify her hurt, and she interprets the kiss as Liam choosing Camilla over their partnership and growing bond.
2. What do the visions from Camilla reveal, and how do they advance the plot?
Camilla’s kiss shows Liam images of Azrael’s daughter, the book she possesses, and the town where she has been staying. This gives Liam and Dianna a concrete location for their next move in the search for the Book of Azrael, while also confirming Camilla has been working against Kaden.
3. How does Liam’s internal monologue reveal his transformation in this chapter?
Liam admits he has never felt the desire to shred someone with his bare hands, yet Santiago’s act ignites that rage. More importantly, he confesses that Dianna owns him—a being who has never known love now craves her more than power or air. This marks a profound shift from detached god-killer to emotionally invested partner.