Children of Blood and Bone: Chapter Seventy-Eight Summary & Analysis

As soon as they set foot on the island, Zélie feels the thrum of the gods’ presence, though not her magic. The island is overrun with soldiers, but in their disguises, the group is able to push past them with relative ease. The soldiers are expecting a maji army. A fog clings to everything, helping to obscure the group’s movements; Zélie thinks it is an indication that the gods are on their side, rooting for them. She also thinks about Amari seeking her out in the market in Lagos—another sign.

As they approach the temple in the center of the island, Roën sends a group of his men back to the shoreline to cause a distraction on the beach. As they leave, all Zélie can think is that she can’t bear to have any more blood on her hands. As an explosion on the beach draws their attention, guards stream out of the temple to assess the threat.

Zélie and her friends and the mercenaries enter the temple, decorated with beautiful images of the gods. They enter the central dome, where images of the gods flank a central pillar, which has an indentation for the sunstone. Zélie prays to the gods to return her magic. Amari hands her the artifacts and she prepares to attempt the ceremony. At that moment, Saran and his men jump out from hiding places around the room. Inan is there, too, holding a majacite blade. Baba is with them.