Last Light in the Dark

Tomas Grenn, a blacksmith from Greenhollow, enjoys a peaceful life with his wife Elsa and two children before receiving a conscription notice. Accompanied by Father Aldous's proclamation of a righteous war against Valorheim's blood mages, Tomas is drafted to fight.

Frieda manages hunters while preparing to meet Vatican priest Mikael about capturing Curtis. She's caught off guard when Abigail asks 'when can we go home'—meaning Frieda, not a place—and reflects on the adoption papers hidden in her briefcase.

Arthur and Niccolo trapped in tunnels. Find children's drawings, sedatives, restraints. Arthur flashbacks to failed case (David, Theresa, Lucas). Discovery of tally mark chamber showing months of captivity. Walking in circles. Waiting for Frieda's rescue.

Kate and Lyle escape the police raid by sneaking past the SWAT team. They steal a car and drive east. Lyle learns about Victor, Kate's past with him, and Helen. Despite Kate's intentions to protect him, Lyle insists on helping her because they're partners and Victor must be stopped.

Thomas carries weight of mercy-killing David Chen as he explores first floor. Exits to garden, decides to stay and fight (motivated by David and Violet). Discovers Architect blue flowers, succumbs to pollen, wakes buried alive in coffin.

Paperbacks offer a level of legitimacy for an author that you simply can’t replace with anything else. You can’t sign an ebook (well, you can with certain online systems and gimmicks, but they don’t compare to the real thing)