Onyx Storm
by Rebecca Yarros
Contents
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Overview
The squad rides through Deverelli's capital to locate a rare book dealer connected to Violet's father. Xaden is unusually relaxed and openly affectionate, while locals treat the riders with fear and hostility. After a brief violent encounter inside the bookshop, Violet meets Narelle, an elderly woman who reveals she has books Asher Sorrengail wrote specifically for Violet—a major clue in uncovering her father's hidden plans.
Summary
The squad rides on horseback through Matyas, Deverelli's capital city, a stunning settlement built beneath an enormous tree canopy. Ridoc complains about horseback travel, while Xaden is strikingly relaxed and happy—cracking jokes, complimenting Violet openly, and even asking Dain casually about his and Violet's childhood riding together. The group's black uniforms draw hostile attention from locals, who call them "fire-bringers" and retreat from their presence. Despite the tension, the mood among the squad is light, with even Dain and Xaden engaging in civil conversation about their pasts.
Xaden and Dain enter a cloth merchant's shop and learn that a rare book dealer named Tomes and Tales is located two streets uphill. Xaden pays with gemstones since currencies differ. The squad rides to the bookshop, and Violet assigns Ridoc, Drake, and Cat to stay with the horses while she enters with Mira, Dain, and Xaden. Inside the hot, naturally lit shop, Violet asks the shopkeeper about someone named Narelle—the contact her father's journal directed her to find.
The shopkeeper's reaction triggers an ambush: two armed Deverelli attackers charge from the back shelves. Xaden intervenes by kicking a chair into the male attacker's path, and Violet throws a dagger into the man's shoulder. Mira knocks the female attacker unconscious with a punch. Dain holds the remaining customers at blade-point until they flee. Xaden retrieves Violet's dagger from the wounded man and warns him to stay down, wryly noting he's "giving diplomacy a try."
An elderly woman descends the stairs—Narelle, the shopkeeper's mother. The shopkeeper shouts in Krovlish for her mother to save herself, but Narelle calmly surveys the scene. After studying each of them, she recognizes Violet by her hair and identifies her as Asher Sorrengail's daughter, revealing she has books that Violet's father wrote specifically for her. The chapter ends with a recovered, unsent letter from General Lilith Sorrengail referencing the bond between her daughter and Narelle's, and the unfinished plans Asher left behind.
Who Appears
- VioletLeads the squad to find her father's contact Narelle; throws a dagger during the bookshop ambush.
- XadenUnusually relaxed and openly affectionate; intervenes in the bookshop fight and handles diplomacy with dark humor.
- MiraViolet's protective older sister; maintains perimeter vigilance and knocks out an attacker with one punch.
- DainAccompanies Xaden to gather intel; translates Krovlish and guards the shopkeeper and customers during the fight.
- RidocProvides comic relief complaining about horseback riding; stays with the horses outside the bookshop.
- DrakeRides point for the squad; comments on Xaden's changed demeanor.
- CatTeases Ridoc about riding; stays with the horses outside the bookshop.
- NarelleElderly woman and the shopkeeper's mother; recognizes Violet and reveals she has books Asher Sorrengail wrote for her.
- Shopkeeper (Narelle's daughter)Runs Tomes and Tales; initially wary of the riders, tries to protect her mother during the confrontation.