The Book Eaters

Devon and Hester prepare to leave town. Devon secretly calls her illicit contact, communicating through Morse code because she’s incapable of typing. The two of them, with Cai, go to a train station to begin their journey to the Ravenscars. On the way, Devon sees Ramsey and a fellow knight following them. The group makes it onto a train to Edinburgh as more knights join the pursuit. Hester pulls out a gun and shoots four knights dead. They jump onto the train as it pulls away.

Devon grows closer to her daughter. Luton remains distant, though he is not unkind to them. On Salem’s third birthday, the house throws a party, and Luton gives Salem a box of seashells. Soon, one of the aunts, Gailey, calls Devon away. She goes to see Luton, who offers her a cup of tea. Devon quickly realizes that it is laced with sleeping poison. When she wakes up, she’s at her childhood home, and Ramsey is beside her. Her uncle Aike tells her that Luton lied to her and that she and Salem have been separated. Devon becomes distraught and runs away, vowing to return to her daughter.

This chapter is told through Ramsey’s perspective. He deals with the aftermath of the lost fight and the escaped women. He reflects on the knights’ leader, Kingsey, and their mission to track down the missing Ravenscar family. As the train pulls away, he manages to jump onto it and make his way inside. He knocks a ticket officer unconscious and steals his identity. He finds Hester and Devon, who recognize him immediately. 

Devon sends Hester and Cai away so that she can talk to her brother. They discuss Devon’s progress: She has been acting as a spy for him and secretly sharing information. Ramsey orders her to leave the train once he creates a distraction. Devon is reluctant, but Ramsey reminds her that he has the power to have her son killed at any moment.

Devon escapes her family and is pursued by Ramsey and his dragons. One of the dragons calls to her, dispelling Devon’s belief that the dragons have no voice. He attacks her with a taser. She faints and wakes up the next morning back home. Aike visits her and tries to make amends, but Devon does not relent. He reminds her that she’s required by custom to enter one more marriage and birth another child. Luton comes to visit and brings her a gift: a locket with a photo of Salem. He tells her that he’ll keep her memory alive for Salem and allow them to reconnect on Salem’s 10th birthday—but only if Devon follows the family’s rules. If she doesn’t, Luton will tell Salem that Devon abandoned her. Devon desperately considers her path ahead.

Devon’s train stops, and people run away, terrified. Devon, Hester, and Cai run away, and in the confusion, Hester leaves her bag behind. Hester refuses to reveal their exact destination, and Devon and Cai follow blindly. Cai uses his stolen knowledge to lead them to an inn, where they rest and regroup. Hester finds Devon’s locket, and Devon tells her a bit about her lost daughter. Hester alludes to an easy relationship with her brother, Killock. After Hester is asleep, Devon holds her annual vigil on Salem’s birthday. Today is her 10th, the day they were supposed to see each other again.

Devon concedes to a second marriage. Ramsey accompanies her, and he tells her about her new family, the Easterbrooks, who traffic humans for manual labor. Devon meets her new husband, Matley, and his younger brother, Jarrow. Devon catches a glimpse of Luton at the party and is overcome with anxiety.

Jarrow surprises her by inviting her away to play video games. Devon, who has never played video games before, is intrigued. Jarrow teaches her about them, and they play Tomb Raider. Devon is fascinated by and envious of Lara Croft’s freedom and power. Matley arrives, enraged at Devon’s disappearance, and derides Jarrow. He orders Devon to follow him out.