Luce awakens from a vivid dream of flying and kissing Daniel, a dream so real it leaves her longing. She's in a hospital, not Sword & Cross, with Gabbe tending to her with unusual kindness. Arriane arrives with her signature chaos, but the playful mood shatters when Luce learns Todd is dead.
Chapter 11: Rude Awakening
Luce grapples with the news of Todd's death, triggering traumatic memories of Trevor and fears of renewed blame. Penn arrives, confirming her and Miss Sophia's safety. Gabbe reveals Daniel rescued Luce from the fire, a detail that resonates with her dream. Daniel appears briefly, his concerned expression and a matching scratch solidifying the dream's reality. After her friends leave, Luce faces questioning from the police, the school's lawyer, Miss Sophia, and her distant parents. She recounts a simplified version of events, omitting the shadows. Alone, she examines a bouquet of white peonies, knowing they're from Daniel, a gesture that deepens the mystery surrounding him and the theme of Secrets and Deception.
Chapter 12: Into Dust
Two days after the fire, the school gathers for Todd's memorial. Luce feels isolated, sensing suspicion. She observes Daniel, thinking of his peonies. Cam offers comfort, but Daniel interrupts, asking Luce to leave with him. As they walk away, Daniel warns her about Cam, a statement that sounds like a serious warning, highlighting the theme of Good vs. Evil. He suggests she transfer, but Luce confesses her secret about the shadows.
Daniel is visibly shaken. As Luce demonstrates the shadows' presence, she accidentally knocks him over, leading to an intimate moment. He abruptly flees, leaving Luce alone. As he disappears, she sees a violet glow, confirming the supernatural events and Daniel's involvement.
Chapter 13: Touched at the Roots
Luce is overjoyed to see her parents on Parents' Day. Penn joins their picnic, and Luce appreciates her parents' acceptance. She notices Daniel and Cam are absent. During Mr. Cole's cemetery tour, they encounter Cam with a well-dressed man he introduces as his father. Luce feels uneasy, especially when Cam mentions she isn't wearing his necklace. After her parents leave, Luce accompanies Penn to her father’s grave. She spots Daniel sitting atop the central monolith, looking lonely. She realizes his behavior stems from a deep sorrow tied to his past, a key insight into the theme of Fate and Reincarnation.
Chapter 14: Idle Hands
Restless, Luce decides to swim. She runs into Cam, who arranges to meet her later. At the pool, she recalls a disturbing dream of a tender moment with Cam followed by a fiery encounter with Daniel—a terrifying premonition connected to their Forbidden and Fated Love. Penn interrupts her swim with a breakthrough: information on The Watchers, from Daniel’s ancestor’s book. Miss Sophia joins them and reveals the Grigoris were historical experts on fallen angel folklore. Cam appears, gifts Luce a new gold serpent necklace, and kisses her passionately.
Daniel witnesses the kiss and attacks Cam, shouting, "Keep your filthy hands off her, you evil piece of shit." A brutal fight erupts. Penn knocks a security camera askew. The brawl spills outside, where Mr. Cole eventually intervenes. The violence leaves Luce shaken, realizing the animosity is far deeper than a rivalry.
Chapter 15: The Lions' Den
Haunted by the fight, Luce resolves to end things with Cam. He arranges to meet her off-campus, sending a car to pick her up. The car takes her to a seedy bar called "Styx"—a name heavy with mythological significance. Inside, Cam apologizes, but two locals harass Luce. An enormous shadow materializes on the ceiling.
Cam brutally dispatches the men, revealing a frightening side. Terrified, Luce flees and runs into Daniel, who has come to rescue her. As they escape in Miss Sophia's car, the shadows shrink from Daniel's presence. He drives her to a deserted beach, blaming himself for her involvement with Cam. Luce confronts him, demanding he stop treating her like she's stupid. He admits he thinks she is the smartest, kindest, and most beautiful person he knows. They kiss, an electric and passionate moment. Daniel stares at her in shock and whispers, "You're still here." His relief turns to terror as he realizes the implications of her survival, speaking of "they" who will come for her and insisting that this moment is "impossible," leaving Luce to understand that their kiss has triggered a dangerous, long-standing curse.
Key Events
- The Fire's Aftermath: Luce learns of Todd's death, mirroring her past trauma.
- Daniel's Rescue and Gift: Daniel saves Luce and brings her rare peonies.
- Luce's Confession: Luce tells Daniel about the shadows.
- The Grigori Revelation: Luce and Penn learn about Daniel's family history with fallen angel folklore.
- The Fight: Daniel attacks Cam, revealing their deep-seated hatred.
- The Kiss: Luce and Daniel share a passionate first kiss.
- The Curse Revealed: Daniel's reaction reveals their love is tied to a deadly curse.
Character Development
- Lucinda "Luce" Price: She evolves from passive to active, confronting Daniel and confessing her secret. Her kiss with Daniel triggers the story's central conflict.
- Daniel Grigori: His protectiveness of Luce is shown when he rescues her twice and fights Cam. His reaction to her confession and their kiss confirms he is hiding a supernatural secret tied to a tragic past.
- Cameron "Cam" Briel: His violent fight with Daniel and his display of superhuman strength at the Styx bar reveal a dark, dangerous nature, solidifying his role as a key antagonist.
- Pennyweather "Penn" Van Syckle-Lockwood: She is solidified as Luce's anchor and most trusted ally. Her intelligence and research skills are crucial in uncovering the truth about the Grigoris.
- Miss Sophia Bliss: She transitions from a simple background character to a figure of suspicion. Her extensive and readily available knowledge of fallen angels and the Grigoris suggests she is far more involved in the supernatural conflict than she lets on.
Themes & Symbols
Themes
- Forbidden and Fated Love: Luce's dream of flying with Daniel, their magnetic pull, and their climactic kiss point to a fated connection, but Daniel’s reaction introduces the cursed nature of their love.
- Good vs. Evil: The conflict between Daniel and Cam escalates into a battle between opposing forces. Their fight is a physical manifestation of this struggle.
- Secrets and Deception: Nearly every character is hiding something, creating a web of secrets.
- Fate and Reincarnation: The death of Todd and the history of the Grigori family hint that Luce and Daniel are caught in a repeating cycle.
Symbols
- The Serpent Necklace: A symbol of temptation, deceit, and evil, representing Cam's manipulative charm.
- White Peonies: Symbolize Daniel's pure, yet complicated, feelings for Luce.
- Styx Bar: A reference to the River Styx, aligning Cam with death and damnation.
- Wings: Luce's dream of Daniel with wings foreshadows his angelic nature.
Significance
These chapters mark a turning point, shifting the story to a supernatural conflict. The ambiguity solidifies into a narrative about fallen angels and curses. Luce’s confession and the research into the Grigoris provide answers. The kiss between Luce and Daniel transforms their Forbidden and Fated Love into a life-or-death crisis, setting the stage for the book's climax.
Analysis
Lauren Kate escalates tension and reveals plot elements through character interactions.
"Keep your filthy hands off her, you evil piece of shit."
This quote, uttered by Daniel during his fight with Cam, encapsulates the escalating conflict between them. It moves beyond a simple rivalry, highlighting the Good vs. Evil theme and the supernatural forces at play.
"You're still here."
Daniel's shocked whisper after the kiss is the most significant quote. It reveals the curse and the tragic history that defines their Forbidden and Fated Love, transforming their relationship into a dangerous crisis.
- Foreshadowing through Dreams: Luce’s dreams foreshadow Daniel's angelic nature and the curse defining their relationship.
- Symbolic Naming and Setting: The choice of "Styx" frames Cam within a demonic context. The name "Grigori" links Daniel's family to fallen angels.
- Juxtaposition of Characters: Daniel's actions are reactive, while Cam's are proactive, clarifying their roles in the Good vs. Evil dynamic.