"At the Head of Nightmares" by Leah Arden, summary Automatic translate

Leah Arden’s novel, published in 2024, continues Kassia’s story in the world of Palageda. This book is the second installment in the fantasy series "Twists of Fate." The author’s mythology, based on the ancient Greek pantheon of gods, coexists harmoniously with modern technology. The protagonist loses her familiar life among humans and faces the cruelty of higher beings. The text emphasizes political intrigue, betrayal, and complex family ties, eliminating the clear division of characters into good and evil.

Awakening at the Crossing

Cassia awakens in the poppy fields of the Crossing after the tragic events in Daoria. She realizes the death of her friend, Saoirse. Rufus, Caius, and Vesta are nearby. Cassia’s former boss, Rufus, reveals his true identity. He reveals himself to be the ancient god of sleep, Hypnos. Caius and Vesta are his biological children. Vesta buries Saoirse under a weeping willow with her magical powers. Cassia learns the bitter truth about her origins. She was stillborn, but Hypnos brought her back to life by implanting a part of the Crossing itself into her body. A black tattoo appears on her left forearm.

For this reason, Cassia possesses a unique gift for creating fantasies. Moros, Hypnos’s brother, hid the heroine for years under the assumed identity of a commoner in the city of Sankt Danam. He stole the memories of Vesta and Caius so they would forget Cassia’s existence. Hypnos explains his motives for revenge. The Fates interfered with the destinies of others, triggering the explosion at the Crossing. The third god-brother, Thanatos, died. Now Hypnos and Moros intend to punish those responsible. The murder of Lachesis was the first step in their vengeance.

Heir of the Metal Clan

Meanwhile, Mikel’s fate unfolds. King Melay publicly acknowledges him as his son. Mikel is of mixed blood, as his biological mother, Ilira, belonged to the House of Discord in Palaged. Melay hates Kassia. He is certain her birth was unplanned. The girl is deprived of a thread, meaning she will bring chaos. The prophetesses see terrifying images of Daoria burning. The king tasks Mikel with mastering the element of metal. Melay is ready to use the young man to protect his interests. Mikel resigns himself to his fate, trying to understand the ruler’s true motives.

The young man converses with Clotho and Atropos. The Fates confirm the king’s fears. The Sibyls prophesy a catastrophe provoked by Cassia. Mikel meets with his childhood friend Lexa. The Sibyl shows him visions of fire and destruction. The Prince of Metals recalls the horrific death of his friend Primus as a child. The fire twins Troy and Lysander support Mikel. The young man secretly seeks a truce. He does not believe his sister is guilty and hopes to save both worlds from war.

Life among the Archons

Moros accompanies Cassia to the capital of Palageda, a city called Peles. The girl is handed over to her grandfather, Myron, who rules the powerful House of Discord. Myron is cold, but protective of his granddaughter. Cassia begins an emergency education in traditions and language. Moros restores some of her lost memories. The girl’s appearance changes. Her hair turns white, and her eyes take on a yellow tint. Cassia must prove her right to the heir before the Council. She also meets Liana’s hidden daughter, Chloe, who possesses a powerful gift.

The remaining archons are unwilling to relinquish power. They seek out the young girl’s weakness. At a dinner party at Oisis’s, Cassia dances with Aspis. The Archon of the House of Seduction attempts to read the heroine’s emotions through touch. Kai intervenes just in time and pulls Cassia off the dance floor. Later, an unsavory secret is revealed. The heir to the House of Gluttony, Iolaus, has been blackmailing others for years. Elyon, Cassia’s friend, once took the blame for someone else’s crime. The real culprit, Iolaus, raped a servant.

The situation escalates. The young servant Elin is being abused by Iolaus. Cassia learns of this from Anika and Maeve. Her anger at the heir of Gluttony grows into full-blown rage. Cassia sends Elin to Sankt Danam for protection. She promises to pay for the girl’s university education. Upon meeting Ivo, she discovers that he has lost an eye saving Saoirse. Hypnos has given the youth the eye of the mythical Grae.

Trial by blood

Myron tries to find allies. Tensions within the Council are rising. Iolaus challenges Cassia to a formal duel in the magic circle. The girl accepts, despite her inexperience. Kai and Elyon offer to enter the arena in her place. Cassia refuses, wanting to defend the honor of the House on her own. She trains day after day. Elyon teaches her close combat, Vesta helps her master illusions. Cassia secretly practices creating complex firearms, studying the structure of the mechanism in detail.

The fight takes place on a stone slab, sealed by a barrier of light. The opponents close the circle with their own blood. Iolaus gives Cassia a damaged sword. The opponent lightly wounds the girl, mocks her, and expects a quick victory. He strikes her and pins her against a magical wall. The Heir of Gluttony whispers foul threats. Caius stands behind the barrier, containing his destructive rage. Cassia twists and strikes Iolaus in the face.

The girl uses her secret skill. A Glock pistol materializes in her hand. Cassia fires and wounds the stunned Iolaus. The bullets disappear after three seconds, but the physical wounds remain. At gunpoint, she forces her enemy to publicly confess to his past crimes. The Archon Council recognizes Cassia’s victory. Tobias promises to clear Aelion’s name.

Hope for a peaceful future

Cassia and Kai’s relationship reaches a new level. The son of Hypnos openly cares for the wounded girl. He keeps vigil at her bedside and helps change her bloody bandages. Past hostility is forgotten. The heroes confess their mutual feelings. They spend quiet days together, enjoying a brief respite. Kai gives Cassia a massage, relieving her muscle pain. Intimacy helps the girl cope with the aftermath of a difficult battle. The lovers stroll through Peleus, visit the gardens, and make plans.

Meanwhile, Mikel studies the Daorian archives. He uncovers details of his father’s dubious marriage to Octavia Aleikos. Melay manipulated Ilira’s fate for political gain. He stopped taking special herbs to make the girl pregnant. Mikel secretly writes letters to the kings, proposing a truce with Palageda. Unexpectedly, Melay agrees to negotiate. Mikel contacts his sister through Avila. A meeting is scheduled on the neutral territory of Sankt Danam.

Cassia takes Elyon, Kai, and Vesta with her. Ivo remains in the car for safety. Hypnos helps the girls create illusory tattoos. These false symbols block the hum of power and hide their abilities from others. The meeting with Meridia takes place in a surprisingly warm atmosphere.

Poisoned Trap

Negotiations begin in a friendly atmosphere. Mikel brings his fire twins and human friends. The parties discuss the prospects of an alliance. They drink wine and a rare shimmering liqueur. Suddenly, Avila begins coughing up blood. Declan falls onto the table after her. The alcohol turns out to be poisoned, laced with microscopic particles of human metal. Cassia survives thanks to Melay’s blood. Elyon and Kai suffer from severe toxins. Lysander uses his pyrite bracelets and attacks Kai with fire.

Elyon shields his friend with his body. Flames burn the Archon’s nephew alive. Kai materializes a spear and kills Lysander. A bloody battle with the arriving Daorian soldiers begins. Vesta alters the structure of the floor. She and Kassia fall to the lower floors. They escape through the elevator. Ivo helps them reach the car. Kai remains in the building, surrounded by enemies. Kassia loses consciousness from pain and shock. Mikel realizes with horror his father’s betrayal. Melay used his son as live bait.

A challenge to fate

Several days later, the heroine awakens at the Crossing. Hypnos saved her with antidotes. Cassia learns the terrible truth. Elyon is dead. The Daorians have captured the weakened Kai. Melai offers to exchange the son of the god of sleep for Cassia. The girl agrees to the enemy’s terms. The Council of Archons does not interfere. They are prepared to sacrifice the heir of Discord. Cassia demands Camilla’s release from Tobias’s control in exchange for support from the House of Gluttony.

Moros escorts the girl to a secret passage. Hypnos tears the fabric of space, opening a direct route to Daoria. Cassia emerges onto the hill before Melayus’ army. Mikel is shocked to see the mutilated Kai in shackles. Cassia refuses to give in. She creates a pistol and shoots Melayus. The king falls dead. The girl orders Mikel to take his father’s throne. The Daorian soldiers draw their weapons.

Kai breaks the shackles, ignoring the chemical burns. He strikes his spear against his shield. The ringing echoes across the field. Keres fall from the sky. An army of monsters begins to slaughter Daorian soldiers. Cassia realizes the truth. Kai wields the power of Phobetor, the god of nightmares. Vesta can send prophetic dreams, like Morpheus. Hypnos orchestrated the visions of the Sibyls. The god of sleep has lured his enemies into a trap to avenge his murdered family.