The mysteries at Sword & Cross Academy deepen as Luce finds herself caught between the enigmatic Daniel and the charming Cam, all while grappling with a past that refuses to stay buried. As Luce seeks answers, she uncovers secrets that hint at a supernatural world lurking just beneath the surface.
Chapter 6: No Salvation
Luce's morning begins with an unwelcome fitness test after her embarrassing exit from Cameron "Cam" Briel's party. The gymnasium, eerily resembling a church, sets an unsettling tone. Assigned to the pool with Pennyweather "Penn" Van Syckle-Lockwood, Luce's discomfort grows when Gabrielle "Gabbe" Givens joins them, seemingly befriending Arriane Alter, Mary Margaret "Molly" Zane, and Roland Sparks.
Driven by a mix of jealousy and determination, Luce showcases her impressive swimming skills, only to be distracted by Gabbe mentioning Daniel Grigori's name. Roland encourages her to confront Daniel, leading her to the weight room where she witnesses his supernatural grace while jumping rope. A dark shadow abruptly shoves her out, marking the first time the shadows physically interact with her. When Luce returns to retrieve her key, Daniel is cold and dismissive, accusing her of stalking him and calling her "crazy" when she insists they've met before. His harsh rejection leaves Luce hurt and confused, amplifying the mystery of their connection and the theme of Forbidden and Fated Love.
Chapter 7: Shedding Light
Cam intercepts Luce on her way to class, charming her into skipping for a picnic in the cemetery. His attentiveness contrasts sharply with Daniel's coldness. Amidst Civil War-era graves, they discuss epitaphs, and Cam unveils a contraband picnic. The atmosphere turns intimate as they talk, but a snake interrupts their moment.
Cam uses the snake's shedding skin as a metaphor for transformation, hinting at the school's purpose and the theme of Fate and Reincarnation. As he leans in for a kiss, Gabbe appears, claiming Miss Sophia Bliss sent her to find Luce. Back in religion class, Luce sits near Penn and notices Daniel, reigniting her mortification. Miss Sophia assigns a family tree research paper, and Daniel reacts with a sigh. Luce struggles to focus, torn between Cam's charm and Daniel's rejection, highlighting the love triangle and the theme of Secrets and Deception.
Chapter 8: A Dive Too Deep
Penn convinces Luce to sneak into the school's off-limits records office to investigate Daniel's file. Penn navigates the locked doors with ease. They find Daniel's file, which contains only a single page with a photo, a note about unknown parents and a Los Angeles orphanage guardian, and a list of petty crimes. Miss Sophia's arrival forces them to hide.
Luce escapes the basement, but Mary Margaret "Molly" Zane confronts her, revealing she knows about the fire and Trevor. Molly warns her to stay away from Daniel. Outside, Roland Sparks accidentally hits Luce with a soccer ball, and Daniel rushes to her side, showing genuine concern. He leads her to a secluded lake, clarifying that neither Molly nor Gabbe is his girlfriend. At the lake, Daniel is briefly open before shutting down, claiming he was hurt by a past love. As he climbs out of the water, Luce sees a radiant light around him, hinting at his true nature.
Chapter 9: State of Innocence
During a religion study session, Miss Sophia uses shadow puppets to illustrate the story of Lucifer and the fallen angels from Paradise Lost. The lecture triggers a memory for Luce of a dream where Daniel saved her from dark, shadowy fish in the lake. The discussion of Good vs. Evil is a central theme. Molly passes Luce a taunting note, and Arriane sends a note asking about Daniel. Molly intercepts it, causing a commotion.
Luce deflects by claiming Molly had a different interpretation of Hell. Molly delivers a pointed speech about cowards, directing her words at Luce. Luce feels a shadow trying to steal Arriane's note and instinctively pinches it, causing it to recoil. After class, Daniel apologizes for leaving her at the lake and mentions that studying religion is "in his family." Luce blurts out that she didn't know he had any family, making Daniel suspicious and angry.
Chapter 10: Where There's Smoke
Cameron "Cam" Briel gives Luce a gold necklace with a snake pendant, an allusion to their picnic. Gabbe interrupts, inviting them to a party. Penn reveals she has more information, showing Luce a note from Miss Sophia's files that groups students by arrival dates: Luce's group arrived recently, while Daniel, Arriane, and Molly arrived three years prior, on the same day as Miss Sophia. Penn's second discovery is a library catalog card for a 1755 book titled The Watchers: Myth in Medieval Europe, written by a "D. Grigori."
Luce and Penn head to the library, but the book is missing. Suddenly, the fire alarm blares, and the library fills with smoke, triggering Luce’s trauma. Another student, Todd Hammond, grabs her, and they try to escape but become disoriented. A maelstrom of shadows descends upon them, but an unseen force shields them and carries them to an emergency exit. Outside, Luce sees a "pulsing, almost violet column of light" that reminds her of Daniel. A powerful shadow slams into her and Todd, throwing Luce down a flight of stairs.
Key Events
- Poolside Distraction: Luce's swim is interrupted by thoughts of Daniel, highlighting her growing obsession.
- Shadow Encounter: A shadow physically pushes Luce, escalating the supernatural threat.
- Cemetery Picnic Interrupted: Cam's romantic advances are cut short, emphasizing the love triangle's complications.
- Records Office Intrusion: Luce and Penn uncover Daniel's mysterious past, deepening the intrigue.
- Molly's Revelation: Molly's knowledge of Luce's past adds a personal layer to the conflict.
- Lake Revelation: Luce sees a glimpse of Daniel's true nature, hinting at his supernatural identity.
- Shadow Defense: Luce fights back against a shadow, marking a turning point in her understanding of her abilities.
- Library Inferno: The fire triggers Luce's trauma and reveals a protective force, escalating the danger.
Character Development
- Lucinda "Luce" Price: She becomes more proactive in seeking answers about Daniel, but is also caught in a love triangle with Cam. Her past trauma is forced to the surface, and she discovers she can fight back against the shadows.
- Daniel Grigori: His "push and pull" behavior defines his character. He shows concern but follows it with rejection. Clues to his true nature begin to emerge.
- Cameron "Cam" Briel: He is established as the charming alternative to Daniel, making Luce feel seen, but his mysterious abilities hint at a deeper secret.
- Pennyweather "Penn" Van Syckle-Lockwood: Penn solidifies her role as Luce's loyal best friend and investigator.
- Mary Margaret "Molly" Zane: Molly transforms into a malicious antagonist, using Luce's past against her.
- Miss Sophia Bliss: She is portrayed as a kind teacher, but her presence in the records basement suggests she is more involved than she appears.
Themes & Symbols
Themes
- Forbidden and Fated Love: Luce's connection to Daniel grows stronger, pointing to a love that transcends lifetimes.
- Good vs. Evil: The lecture on Lucifer introduces the conflict between Heaven and Hell, mirrored in the love triangle.
- Fate and Reincarnation: The discovery of the book by "D. Grigori" suggests Daniel's existence spans centuries.
- Secrets and Deception: Nearly every character is hiding something, creating an atmosphere of mystery.
Symbols
- The Shadows: They evolve into physical antagonists, representing a tangible threat.
- The Snake: Symbolizes transformation, rebirth, and temptation, associating Cam with these ideas.
- The Library Fire: Represents Luce's past trauma and the danger that follows her.
- Wings and Light: The light around Daniel represents his angelic wings and true identity.
Significance
These chapters transition the story into the core mystery. The love triangle is established, and Luce and Penn begin their investigation into Daniel's past, unearthing clues that point toward the supernatural truth. The stakes are raised as the shadows become a physical threat, and Luce discovers an ability to interact with them. Molly's revelation makes the social threats personal, and the library fire showcases the mysterious forces protecting Luce.
Analysis
Lauren Kate builds suspense and deepens the novel's mythology through foreshadowing and character foils. The religion lecture is an instance of dramatic irony, and the narrative keeps the reader as confused and intrigued as Luce. Daniel and Cam are presented as classic archetypes, forcing Luce (and the reader) to question who to trust. Symbolism is heavily employed to hint at the supernatural reality, and the flashes of light around Daniel confirm his non-human nature.