The Songbird and the Heart of Stone

Young Mische is determined to fulfill her quest for the sun god. She allows Saescha and Eomin to travel with her to Obitraes in search of a vampire. Though her sister warns her not to go out their first night because it’s too dangerous, Mische does so anyway. She finds a vampire on a bench in the city, and he invites her to sit beside him. She intends only to talk—to find a vampire with light in their heart, worthy of redemption. However, her trust in this vampire is misplaced.

Mische wakes in the Sanctum of Soul with Luce and Asar. She sees a younger, human version of herself reflected in the glass beneath her. Asar’s reflection is eerie, a “blacked-out silhouette, smoke pouring from it, as if seen through the depths of nightfire. Like he was burning eternal. The only visible feature was one bright white eye” (448).

They head to the Soul’s temple but are intercepted by a group of wraiths, including Malach. Malach attacks Mische but underestimates her, and she stabs him. Both Mische and Asar fight Malach, with Asar delivering the final blow. As Malach dies, Ophelia appears and forcibly pulls Mische away.