Red Queen

In the aftermath of the gunfire, Mare cuts the power to the lights, plunging the room into darkness for the Reds to escape. She holds on until a fleeing woman knocks her over, putting her face-to-face with one of the corpses. Cal finds her and makes sure she gets to safety before leading a group on a manhunt for the assassins. An explosion rocks the palace. The Scarlet Guard set off a bomb, which was not part of the plan. Mare joins the rest of the royal family, who are afraid and angry. Elara and the king to argue about the mistakes they’ve made. Elara storms out, and Cal and Evangeline arrive.

Cal leads the group to the cells, where a group of Reds, including Kilorn, are held. Cal demands an explanation for Kilorn working in the palace and being a member of the Scarlet Guard. Mare makes up a story, and the royals torture the prisoners, stopping with the arrival of Evangeline’s brother (who the Red Guard were meant to kill). He kills one prisoner, but Mare shocks him before he can murder Kilorn, even though Kilorn’s knowledge will incriminate her and Maven. The king orders the prisoners be left overnight and leads the group back to the ballroom, where he vows to bring death to the Reds responsible through any means necessary.