It goes without saying that THERE ARE MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD. If you haven’t read this chapter of Onyx Storm, please go read it first. Please note that some spoilers from future chapters will be found here.

I’m a little uncertain as to why we have this epigraph at the top of the chapter. Colonel Daxton—clearly, we’re looking at Niara’s writing here. Violet has the mind of a scribe and the heart of a rider because she is part of two legacies, clearly.

The chapter opens with a conversation between Tairn and Violet. And in case you were wondering, I still think the weapon is Violet. I think Tairn already knows—and so does every other dragon.

You are our lightning wielder, and while your life may not matter more than other riders’, your signet does. You are the weapon and will have to learn to accept the sacrifice of others in your name if you want to win this war.

We all assumed it was Andarna, but I’m not so sure.

We learn that Aaric is flying south, away from the conflict. Tairn seems rather disgusted with Aaric and Molvic at this point. Of course, this is a little Easter egg for future chapters, and yes—we will find out what Aaric was doing.

The next part is hard to read. Teine and Mira are… battered, in pain, and suffering. Theophanie wears red this time.

Theophanie glances at Brennan, then Bodhi.
“I didn’t ask for either of you to attend.”
“I thought you requested brothers? Next time be more specific about who’s invited,” I suggest.
“And yet you didn’t bring the brother he wanted.” Theophanie sighs.
“Berwyn will be disappointed.” A thin line of blood appears along the edge of her knife.
“He’s on the way,” I say quickly.

Interesting. Theo and Berwyn seem to be in competition with one another—at least it seemed that way throughout the book. Why is she asking for Jack and saying Berwyn will be disappointed? Why does she want to aid Berwyn in this situation?

But then, read this:

“Berwyn.” Xaden tenses, and his focus swings south toward the city again. That’s where he needs to be—in position to save as many people as possible—but he’s made it clear he doesn’t want to leave me.

Violet misunderstands Xaden here. For the first time, he realises that Berwyn is very much alive—and not dead, as he should have been in the ravine. No… he looks over at Draithus, realising, I think, that the Sage was very much showing Xaden the future within his nightmares. The same as he’d done before December, in those nightmares before the big attack in Basgiath.

We put a lot of emphasis on describing Jack:

“He is emaciated and wan,” Tairn tells me. “Suspended in air as the chest intends, and he appears… sedated. I can show you through my eyes if you prefer—”

He appears… sedated. Why and how? Do we think we will have to use the Rybestad chest for Xaden eventually? Is that why we have so much emphasis on this? Why is Jack so important to the venin?

The chapter ends on a horrible low, with Theophanie cutting Mira’s throat. Venin are careful with their words—and yes, they definitely lie.

She draws the blade across Mira’s neck and slits her throat.

This is definitely a stressful cliffhanger.

Onyx Storm Read Along

• Onyx Storm Read Along: Prologue
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 1
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 2
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 3
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 4
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 5
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 6
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 7
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 8
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 9
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 10
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 11
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 12
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 13
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 14
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 15
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 16
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 17
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 18
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 19
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 20
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 21
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 22
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 23
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 24
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 25
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 26
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 27
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 28
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 29
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 30
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 31
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 32
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 33
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 34
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 35
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 36
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 37
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 38
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 39
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 40
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 41
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 42
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 43
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 44
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 45
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 46
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 47
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 48
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 49
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 50
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 51
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 52
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 53
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 54
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 55
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 56
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 57
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 58
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 59
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 60
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 61
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 62
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 63
• Onyx Storm Read Along – Chapter 64