Hell Bent

Alex wakes up in the Il Bastone parlor and finds Dawes’s note, which mentions unwelcome news and a call needed later. When she contacts Dawes, she learns they need four murderers for the Gauntlet ritual and that they might not return. They agree to meet at the library. Returning to her dorm, Alex finds Michelle Alameddine, Darlington’s mentor, waiting. Michelle warns Alex about the afterlife and recommends reading Kittscher’s Daemonologie. Michelle reveals she knows the snares and entrapments that can take place in the realm of the dead because she narrowly escaped after a suicide attempt. When Mercy asks what happened, Alex finally confides in her about the secret societies, Darlington, and the past year’s events. Mercy opens up about her feelings regarding her friend Blake’s death and her struggles with anger and guilt. Alex reassures her, expressing similar feelings and validating their emotions.

Mercy questions Alex about magic and Lethe. Later, Alex meets with Dawes, who is exhausted from researching the Gauntlet. Dawes considers stopping due to limited records, but Alex insists they must continue. Exploring Sterling Library, they find clues related to the Gauntlet’s path, mentioning Jost Amman, linked to Darlington’s “just a man” comment. They hit a dead end, failing to complete the required circuit for the ritual.