Chapter 20 (Chapter 17) Summary & 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 (Chronological)
Eight hours before the present timeline, Dianna transforms into a black-feathered bird and circles the remains of Rashearim. She lands on the balcony of the council building where the Council of Hadrameil is meeting. Inside, redheaded celestial Elianna and non-celestial Leviathan argue over Samkiel’s summoning of Oblivion and the lack of word from him. Two members of The Hand—Cameron (a hunter/tracker) and Xavier (a glamor caster)—stand outside on the balcony, joking and betting whether Elianna and Leviathan will sleep together. Imogen (also of The Hand) scolds them for leaving the meeting. Dianna, still in bird form, feels a pang of envy at their easy camaraderie and flees into the treeline.
Hours later, after the council finally leaves, Dianna enters the room as herself. She uses her own blood to chant the phrase “Ves grun tella mortumon” (Return to the void), sending the scattered texts and scrolls into the void. As she reaches for the enchanted vial (containing Samkiel’s blood) hidden on her person, she realizes she is not alone. Cameron, Xavier, and Imogen had been glamored by Xavier’s magic the entire time. Cameron remarks that Xavier descends from the Witch Goddess Kryella, granting him powerful glamor. Dianna is caught in the act.
Key Events
- Dianna spies on the Council of Hadrameil in bird form, overhearing their debate about Samkiel’s actions.
- Cameron and Xavier banter on the balcony; Imogen reprimands them but shares the lighthearted moment.
- Dianna envies The Hand’s sense of family and slips away emotionally affected.
- After waiting hours, she enters the council chamber, uses blood magic to steal texts by sending them to the void.
- She is discovered by The Hand, who had used Xavier’s glamor to remain hidden.
- Cameron reveals Xavier’s lineage from the Witch Goddess Kryella.
Character Development
Dianna
This chapter deepens Dianna’s internal conflict. Her envy of The Hand’s family bonds—”They were a family, and I envied them so very damn much”—reveals her loneliness and longing for connection. She denies her feelings for Samkiel, dismissing her care as “just convenient” and repeating that their partnership cost her everything. Her solo infiltration shows her resourcefulness (stealing texts, using Samkiel’s blood from the ship), but also her recklessness in underestimating The Hand.
The Hand (Cameron, Xavier, Imogen)
The banter and camaraderie among these three members of The Hand showcase their loyalty and skill. Cameron’s tracking abilities and Xavier’s glamor from Kryella add layers to their capabilities. Imogen’s role as the disciplined one contrasts with Cameron’s mischief, yet all three work together seamlessly. They are not simply guards but a tight-knit unit.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Found Family vs. Isolation
The Hand’s easy laughter and mutual trust stand in stark contrast to Dianna’s solitude. The chapter uses this juxtaposition to highlight Dianna’s emotional wound and her inability to let others in.
Deception and Glamor
The chapter revolves around hidden identities—Dianna as a bird, The Hand concealed by Xavier’s glamor. The motif of deception extends to Dianna’s self-deception about Samkiel: she repeats “it was just convenient” to protect herself from deeper grief.
Blood Magic and the Void
Dianna’s blood chant “Return to the void” steals the texts. This reinforces the void as a tool for escape or erasure, and blood as a source of power (both hers and Samkiel’s). The enchanted vial with Samkiel’s blood is a key plot device, capable of opening doors.
White vs. Black
Dianna deliberately wears white to mimic the “good” aesthetic of the celestial realm, but her true nature is tied to black (her feathers, her shadows). This contrast underscores her outsider status.
Why This Chapter Matters
- Advancement of Dianna’s Mission: Her theft of the texts directly impacts her search for information about the gods and the book she and Samkiel were seeking. The stolen materials may contain crucial lore.
- Introduction of The Hand’s Capabilities: We learn Xavier’s glamor is so powerful it can fool Dianna for hours. This raises the stakes for any future confrontation.
- Emotional Depth: The chapter exposes Dianna’s vulnerability—her desire for family and her denial of love—making her a more sympathetic protagonist despite her destructive actions.
- Setting Up Conflict: Being caught by The Hand means Dianna must now either fight, negotiate, or escape. This cliffhanger drives the narrative forward.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Dianna transform into a bird to spy on the Council?
She uses the bird form to blend in with a flock and avoid detection, relying on Camila’s cloaking magic. The disguise allows her to observe the council meeting and later infiltrate the building unseen.
2. What does the enchanted vial contain, and why is it important?
The vial holds Samkiel’s blood, which Dianna collected earlier. It is used to open doors between realms—requiring three drops to return to the Etherworld. It represents a direct link to Samkiel and a key asset for her mission.
3. How does Cameron deduce that Xavier’s glamor is from Kryella?
Cameron explains that Xavier descends from the Witch Goddess Kryella, granting him the ability to cast a “very effective glamor.” This is revealed after Dianna is caught, confirming that The Hand used this magic to conceal themselves.