Iron Flame
by Rebecca Yarros
Contents
Chapter Thirty-Four
Overview
The team escapes the Archives with two journals, covers their tracks, and splits up. Violet and Xaden celebrate and divide the texts; Violet translates clues about wardstone activation and an "iron rain," sending one journal toward Brennan. In a shocking betrayal, Nolon drugs Violet, and Varrish arrives to seize her, imperiling their operation.
Summary
Xaden yanks Aaric through the sealing door, and the team sheds scribe robes as they regroup. Aaric’s blistered hands reveal rebound burns, prompting Violet to adjust the plan: Ridoc hides Aaric, and Rhiannon discreetly seeks Dyre from the infirmary. Jesinia takes the laundry bag to dispose of evidence while Sawyer admits he knocked out the guard. Bodhi and Sawyer head to commons to create a noisy alibi. Quinn reports she projected illusions—even as Violet and Rhiannon—to reinforce their cover, aided by her unusually strong signet.
After passing the infirmary and crossing the bridge, the group disperses. In the courtyard, Violet and Xaden share a brief, elated moment. Violet translates lines from Warrick’s journal, revealing that wardstones were placed where dragons sensed the deepest magic currents and that protections set “at the birth of an iron rain.” They split the journals so Xaden can get one to Brennan, agreeing to meet in seven days.
Buoyed by hope, Violet considers next steps—securing a luminary in Cordyn, continuing to smuggle weapons, and pushing toward ward-making for Aretia. She believes wards could be raised within days once the instructions are fully understood.
Nolon approaches with lemonade, saying Jack mentioned seeing Violet and that she’s on his mending list. Violet drinks, noting a strange aftertaste. Her connections to Tairn blur, and she realizes the satchel’s color and her senses don’t align. Nolon apologizes, saying he cannot protect her from consequences when she endangers civilians, revealing he has drugged her.
As Violet collapses, Varrish appears over her, seizing the moment and effectively capturing her. Jack Barlowe and Caroline Ashton cross the courtyard nearby, and Violet’s successful heist is suddenly overshadowed by betrayal and imminent interrogation.
Who Appears
- Violet SorrengailLeads the post-heist cover, deciphers wardstone clues, splits journals, then is drugged by Nolon and seized by Varrish.
- Xaden RiorsonExtracts the team, coordinates dispersal, shares a hopeful moment with Violet, and departs to deliver a journal to Brennan.
- RhiannonSent to find Dyre discreetly to treat Aaric’s burns and help maintain the group’s cover.
- AaricSuffers rebound burns to his hands; hidden by Ridoc while treatment is arranged.
- BodhiAssists Aaric and heads to commons to create a memorable alibi.
- QuinnUses projection to appear as others, strengthening the alibi; explains her unusually strong signet.
- JesiniaTakes the laundry bag of robes and plans to cover for the unconscious scribe.
- SawyerKnocked out the guard, gathers robes, and helps build the commons distraction.
- ImogenLooks after the unconscious scribe and helps steady the team as they separate.
- RidocTasked with hiding Aaric in his room and concealing the hand injuries.
- NolonOffers lemonade laced to incapacitate Violet, citing civilian safety; facilitates her capture.
- Colonel VarrishArrives as Violet collapses, taking control and threatening interrogation.
- Jack BarloweMentions seeing Violet to Nolon and passes through the courtyard, inadvertently aiding the trap.
- NasyaFound unconscious; to be covered by Jesinia and Imogen to avoid suspicion.
- DyreContact in the infirmary who owes Violet a debt; to be brought to treat Aaric.
- Caroline AshtonSeen crossing the courtyard beside Jack during Violet’s capture.