Glass Sword

Mare is covered in blood—both her own red blood and the silver blood of the people who recently tried to kill her. She and Cal have just escaped their executions, saved by the Scarlet Guard. Now Mare, Cal, and their rescuers are fleeing to safety on an underground train. Farley gives Mare and Cal rags to hide their faces. Wearing his rag, Cal looks like the other red-masked Scarlet Guard members, although the fact that he’s chained up sets him apart. Mare wishes that Cal were actually “one of us.” 

Mare feels hurt, afraid, and cold. She can’t imagine how Cal is dealing with the loss of his father and kingdom. She and Cal have been betrayed by Maven, Cal’s brother, who stole the crown by violence and framed Cal for treason. Although Mare used to trust Maven, now she hates and fears him, knowing that he’s hunting them. Mare worries that she, Cal, and the Scarlet Guard are running into a trap set by Maven.

Shade comforts Mare with the promise that he won’t let anyone take her away again. Shade is Mare’s brother, who is unexpectedly alive and working with the Scarlet Guard. Like Mare, Shade is “Red and Silver—and stronger than both.” Shade’s presence reminds Mare of home and lost childhood innocence. Mare also stares at Kilorn, who used to be a fisherman’s apprentice but now stands like a grim soldier. Kilorn and Shade both seem out of place.

Farley orders Shade to look after Mare. Mare understands that she’s valuable because of her power and identity as the “little lightning girl.” Mare also defends Cal’s usefulness to the Scarlet Guard, since Cal knows what weapons Maven will likely use against them. Cal warns that Maven will massacre the Scarlet Guard if he can’t recapture Cal and Mare. But Mare refuses to give herself up to Maven because she needs to stay alive to protect other people, and Kilorn says he’d rather die fighting.

Farley and Shade seem unbothered by Cal’s warnings, but they don’t explain why or what their plan is. Mare wants to trust them and the Scarlet Guard, but she’s unwilling to believe in anyone or anything again except for her own electricity. Mare doesn’t trust Cal either, because he’s an enemy—a Silver. However, she still feels connected to Cal, because they were both betrayed by Maven.

They arrive at the ruined city of Naercey. While everyone marches through the empty streets, Mare thinks about Maven. As much as she despises the new king, she also misses the boy he pretended to be. Suddenly, 12 airjets begin bombing the city, and the Scarlet Guard scatter to survive Maven’s assault.

Shade leads Mare and Kilorn through the city, at first on foot and then by small jumps of teleportation—his unique ability. Mare doesn’t want to leave without Cal and argues with Kilorn, who doesn’t care about or trust Cal. Shade promises Mare that Cal will be brought to safety too, but Mare says she doesn’t trust her brother’s word.