House of Earth and Blood (Crescent City)
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter Eighty-Three
Overview
Micah’s Horn opens portals to Hel at all seven Gates, unleashing demons across Crescent City. Bryce secures Syrinx, arms herself with Danika’s sword and Hunt’s weapons, and sprints into the streets, steering civilians to shelters while fighting toward the Meadows.
At the Summit, leaders follow protocols protecting FiRo as the 33rd is overwhelmed. Hypaxia mobilizes her forces, Declan tracks Bryce on city feeds, and Hunt recognizes her destination, underscoring institutional failure versus individual courage.
Summary
Bryce sees the Heart Gate transformed into a portal to Hel, winged and scaled demons spilling into the Old Square. She orders Marrin to take tenants into the basement and warn others, then leaves Syrinx with water, food, and blankets. Donning Danika’s jacket, strapping on the Fendyr sword, and taking Hunt’s handgun and rifle, she realizes every city Gate now opens to Hel as sirens trigger shelters across Lunathion.
Calling Juniper, Bryce learns shelters are closing early and refusing humans. Bryce urges Juniper to hold the doors as long as possible, lies that she’s safe, and texts Jesiba about the invasion—declaring she is heading out to help. She races from her roof into the streets, where demons already prowl the skies from the Moonwood Gate.
On the run, Bryce shouts for people to get into shelters, shooting and slashing demons that dive for her. When her handgun empties, she flings it to stagger a demon, then uses Hunt’s rifle to blast one apart and Danika’s sword to split another, never slowing. Her training with Randall drives her forward as daylight bleeds toward night.
At the Summit, Declan confirms the Gates are black voids unleashing Pit beasts. Jesiba watches, ashen. Sabine enforces protocols that send Aux to defend FiRo’s already warded villas; Hunt and Ruhn protest, but the Autumn King refuses. Tharion orders his people to ferry citizens; Isaiah tries to deploy the 33rd, then reports the CBD under siege and his legion being slaughtered; Flynn demands the Rose Gate be surrounded.
Hypaxia calmly orders her forces to suit up and move into the city. Declan isolates Bryce’s audio and keeps her on-screen as she battles through the streets. Hunt recognizes her heading for the Meadows—the most defenseless place, full of humans with no magic—while dusk deepens and Bryce presses on, directing civilians to safety between each kill.
Who Appears
- Bryce QuinlanSecures Syrinx, arms herself, and fights through demon-infested streets, urging civilians to shelters and pushing toward the Meadows.
- Hunt AthalarAt the Summit, challenges protocols, watches feeds, and realizes Bryce is heading for the Meadows.
- Declan EmmetMonitors city feeds, isolates Bryce’s audio, and tracks her movements across cameras.
- Hypaxia EnadorRises from the Summit and orders her forces to suit up and enter the city.
- Sabine FendyrClings to Aux protocols, orders wolves to hold positions, and ignores pleas to protect vulnerable areas.
- Isaiah TiberianAttempts to deploy the 33rd, then reports the CBD under siege and his legion being slaughtered.
- Ruhn DanaanUrges his father to redeploy from FiRo and phones leaders who do not answer.
- JuniperCalls from a shelter, warns humans are barred, and vows to hold the doors.
- Tharion KetosOrders his people to the shore to ferry civilians and carry them underwater if needed.
- Jesiba RogaWatches the feeds, ashen; receives Bryce’s texts about Hel unleashed.
- FlynnPhones orders to surround the Rose Gate amid the spreading chaos.
- Ithan HolstromReports demons everywhere outside the Den and holds position under Sabine’s orders.
- Amelie RavenscroftAssists Sabine, flushes with shame, yet follows protocol.
- Autumn KingRefuses to abandon established protocols despite mounting civilian casualties.
- SyrinxLeft safely in Bryce’s apartment with water, food, and blankets.
- MarrinTold to lead tenants to the basement and warn family and friends.