Onyx Storm
by Rebecca Yarros
Contents
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Overview
With Garrick dying from Faris's poisoned cake, Violet reveals she preemptively poisoned the triumvirate with arinmint and demands an antidote exchange, but Faris refuses to concede. Violet identifies the poison through blue residue on the cook's hands and the scent of overripe fruit, connecting it to errisbirds, but the chapter ends on a devastating cliffhanger when Ridoc is stabbed by the cook's thrown knife.
Summary
After Garrick collapses from the poisoned cake, the group springs into action. Xaden pulls Garrick to the floor and begins breathing for him while Aaric monitors his heartbeat, which is sluggish and slowing. Violet examines the cake and detects a sickly-sweet scent beneath the chocolate and vanilla. Faris confirms through his reactions that he orchestrated the poisoning as a 'test,' horrifying even Talia, who shrieks that he poisoned her son (referring to Aaric's earlier deference, Garrick is the victim). Faris justifies it as the island's unforgiving nature.
Violet reveals her own countermove: before dinner, she had secretly dosed the triumvirate's drinks with arinmint—an illegal substance from Aretia—during the walk down the stairs. She demands a trade of antidotes, but Faris refuses, declaring he would rather die than lose. Nairi begins vomiting, confirming Violet's poison is taking effect. Violet warns them that once they vomit blood, the antidote will no longer work, and reminds Faris that she has ten riders, four gryphons, and seven dragons against his guards.
When Faris still refuses to cooperate, Violet shifts strategy at Tairn's urging. Trager arrives and begins chest compressions on Garrick while Xaden continues rescue breathing. Mira takes command of securing the house, assigning Cat, Cordella, Maren, Ridoc, and Aaric to guard doors, while Violet sends Dain to retrieve her father's field guide on Hedotis from her room.
Violet and Ridoc storm into the kitchen to confront the cook. The servants surrender immediately, but the cook draws a knife. Violet throws her daggers into both his forearms, disarming him, though the effort aggravates her broken rib. She notices blue residue under the cook's fingernails—the same blue he had been scrubbing off earlier—and connects it with the overripe fruit scent to identify the poison, likely derived from errisbirds or something associated with them. Before she can act on this knowledge, the cook attacks again, throwing his kitchen knife. Violet pins his hand to the doorframe with a dagger, but when she turns back, she finds the cook's thrown knife lodged in Ridoc's side.
Who Appears
- Violet SorrengailProtagonist who reveals her preemptive poisoning of the triumvirate and identifies Garrick's poison through the cook's blue-stained hands.
- Xaden RiorsonPerforms rescue breathing on Garrick, panicked but determined to save his best friend.
- GarrickPoisoned by the cake, unconscious and not breathing; his heart rate continues to slow.
- FarisTriumvirate member who orchestrated the poisoning as a test; refuses to trade antidotes even when his own life is threatened.
- TaliaHorrified to learn Faris poisoned the cake; slides down the wall in distress.
- MiraTakes tactical command, ordering riders to seal the house and secure all exits.
- RidocAccompanies Violet into the kitchen; is stabbed by the cook's thrown knife at chapter's end.
- AaricMonitors Garrick's heartbeat and reports it slowing.
- TairnViolet's dragon; advises her to think like Faris rather than herself when negotiations stall.
- TragerFlier who arrives and begins chest compressions on Garrick.
- NairiTriumvirate member; first to vomit from Violet's arinmint poison, confirming its effects.
- DainSent by Violet to retrieve her father's field guide on Hedotis.
- AndarnaViolet's second dragon; reports that Chradh set part of the forest on fire in rage.