House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City)
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter Seventy-Seven
Overview
Micah exposes that Bryce is the bearer of Luna’s Horn via a tattoo Danika arranged, then confesses orchestrating the synth crisis, murders, bombings, and Danika’s death. He injects Bryce with synth to repair the Horn and attempts to activate it. Bryce briefly shields with a Parthos book before Micah throws Syrinx into the nøkk tank while Hunt is immobilized.
Summary
Cornered in Griffin Antiquities, Bryce denies knowing the Horn while Jesiba’s live feed captures everything. Micah asserts Danika stole the Horn and secretly made Bryce its bearer by having its powder inked into a back tattoo, planning to repair it with synth. Sandriel pins Hunt silent, forcing him to watch as Micah manhandles Bryce and reveals his deductions tied to her discarded Archesian amulet.
To stall, Bryce questions Micah, who confesses orchestrating the synth crisis, kristallos attacks, temple murders, White Raven bombing, and the apartment strike, and manipulating the Autumn King and Ruhn. He admits injecting Danika with synth so she killed her own pack, and says he wants the Horn to open portals for an off-world army—and to rise to Asteri-level power.
Micah advances with a syringe of synth, explaining it will “heal” the broken Horn within Bryce and let him charge the tattoo to “blow” it. He injects her, injuries start mending, and he reaches for the tattoo—but Bryce snatches a Parthos book, triggering a golden shield that repels his power and buys moments.
Changing tactics, Micah seizes Syrinx. Bryce drops the book trying to save him, her leg too weak to hold. Micah carries the chimera to the nøkk tank, and as Declan swaps the feed, the Archangel throws Syrinx into the water while Bryce screams and Hunt remains helplessly restrained.
Who Appears
- Bryce QuinlanCornered by Micah; revealed as Luna’s Horn bearer; injected with synth; briefly shields with Parthos book; desperate to save Syrinx.
- Micah DomitusArchangel governor; confesses orchestrating synth, murders, bombings; aims to activate the Horn; injects Bryce; throws Syrinx into the nøkk tank.
- Hunt AthalarRestrained and silenced by Sandriel; watches helplessly; pieces together Micah’s manipulation; rage mounts at Bryce’s assault.
- Ruhn DanaanObserves via feed; realizes his Starborn pull toward Bryce; curses the Autumn King’s manipulation; calls for the Aux.
- SandrielHolds Hunt with wind and silences him, preventing intervention while Micah attacks Bryce.
- Jesiba RogaStreams the confrontation; her gallery revealed as the Parthos library; its book briefly shields Bryce.
- SyrinxBryce’s chimera companion; seized by Micah and thrown into the nøkk tank.
- LehabahFire sprite; screams warnings and opens the bathroom door, trying to help Bryce hide.
- The Autumn KingFae ruler; realizes Micah manipulated him into setting Ruhn on the Horn’s trail; furious.
- Declan EmmetSwitches the live feed to the tank camera as Micah throws Syrinx in.
- Sabine FendyrStunned observer; notes Bryce is extracting Micah’s full confession.
- Isaiah TiberianMicah’s second; reacts in alarm to Redner revelations and synth history.
- Fury AxtarExclaims at the tattoo revelation, witnessing Micah’s assault.
- FlynnPresent with Ruhn; called on as Ruhn demands the Aux respond.