House of Earth and Blood
by Sarah J. Maas
Contents
Chapter Two
Overview
Bryce and Danika leave the gallery together, discussing Bryce's assignment to find the stolen Luna's Horn and the danger posed by Briggs's impending release. Key backstory is revealed: Danika hasn't yet made the Drop into immortality, making her uniquely vulnerable; Bryce's half-brother Ruhn will attend the Heads' meeting; and Bryce deflects her mother's visit to keep her parents safe. At the Heart Gate, they make wishes before parting ways—Danika to the Comitium and Bryce to Luna's Temple—their farewell tinged with unspoken dread.
Summary
Bryce handles emails and messages while waiting for Danika to finish changing—Danika's pack members Nathalie and Connor Holstrom both reach out about Briggs's release. Danika emerges in her wolf form, and the two leave the gallery together. Bryce explains she's been tasked by Jesiba to find Luna's Horn, an ancient Fae relic stolen from Luna's Temple during a recent citywide power outage. Archangel Micah has offered a reward for its return. Danika advises Bryce not to dig too deep, warning that whoever orchestrated the theft may be dangerously powerful, but Bryce admits finding the Horn could help her stagnant career.
As they walk through the Old Square, their conversation touches on the threat Briggs poses—not just to Danika, but to the whole Pack of Devils. Bryce learns that Danika has not yet made the Drop into immortality, which means a bomb could kill her. Danika mentions Bryce's half-brother Ruhn Danaan will be at the Heads' meeting and will likely ask after Bryce, who dismisses him. They take a call from Bryce's mother, Ember Quinlan, who is planning a visit. Danika deflects by inventing a trip to watch Connor's younger brother Ithan play sunball, and Bryce privately resolves to keep her parents away while Briggs is free.
The pair reach the Heart Gate in the Old Square, a massive quartz arch with a golden dial pad that draws tourists. The Gates were originally magical communication devices along ley lines, requiring a drop of magic to operate, but have since become tourist attractions and sites of folk superstition about wish-granting. Danika uses her Aux badge to cut the line and makes a wish for Ithan's sunball game. Bryce follows with a joke wish about Danika's nails. The chapter provides extensive backstory: Bryce and Danika plan to make the Drop together at age twenty-seven; Danika's latent power is predicted to rival Fae royalty; their friend group includes the assassin Fury and the faun Juniper; and Bryce wears an Archesian amulet from Jesiba that shields her from magical influence.
Before parting—Danika toward the Comitium for the Heads' meeting and Bryce toward Luna's Temple—they exchange affectionate warnings. The chapter underscores their deep bond, Danika's vulnerability as the only pack member who hasn't Dropped, and the looming danger Briggs represents.
Who Appears
- Bryce QuinlanHalf-Fae gallery worker searching for the stolen Luna's Horn; fiercely protective of Danika and her family.
- Danika FendyrAlpha wolf of the Pack of Devils in wolf and humanoid form; anxious about Briggs, heading to the Heads' meeting.
- Ember QuinlanBryce's overprotective human mother who calls to plan a visit; deflected by Danika's cover story.
- Connor HolstromDanika's Second in the Pack of Devils; messages Bryce carefully about Briggs.
- NathalieDanika's Third; bluntly asks Bryce if Danika has lost her composure over Briggs.
- Ruhn DanaanBryce's full-Fae half-brother; mentioned as attending the Heads' meeting, dismissed by Bryce.
- Jesiba RogaBryce's boss; pressuring Bryce to find Luna's Horn; gifted Bryce her Archesian amulet.
- FuryBryce and Danika's friend, likely an assassin/mercenary; made the Drop at twenty-one.
- JuniperA faun and the fourth member of Bryce's close friend group; briefly mentioned.
- Ithan HolstromConnor's younger brother; CCU sunball star whose game Danika uses as a cover story.