Vow of Thieves

Priya, Gunner, and Mason Ballenger intercept Kazi and refuse to believe her explanations and assurances that Jase is alive. Gunner throws Kazi into a snare, and the Ballengers assure her that Montegue’s soldiers will find her soon.

Jase attacks the pursuer, discovering it is Paxton. Through the blows, Paxton explains that he was the one who took Jase to the settlement and is now searching for Kazi after their plan went awry. Jase and Paxton reach an uneasy truce.

Jase, Wren, Synové, and Paxton search the mountain for Kazi. Paxton assures Jase that Lydia and Nash made it safe to the Vendan settlement. They find signs of Kazi, but then the Ballengers block their way.

Initially, there is a joyful reunion when the Ballengers finally recognize Jase through his disguise. However, the mood shifts to hostility when the Ballengers recognize Wren, Synové, and Paxton. When Jase asks about Kazi, they explain that they left her for the patrols.

Jase lashes out at Gunner, insisting that Gunner help him rescue his wife, Kazi.

The soldiers capture and restrain Kazi. In an attic room bound to a chair, she waits for Montegue.

Jase argues with his siblings, furious at their betrayal and the rushed way in which he announced his marriage to Kazi. Despite their objections, he brings Wren, Synové, and Paxton to the vault, asserting they are now family.

Only 134 of the Ballenger family and retainers remain in the vault, and all are in rough shape due to injuries and lack of proper nutrition. Though Jase’s brother Samuel is still alive, the family informs him that his sister Jalaine is dead.

Kazi notices the ribbon Jase tied to a tree outside the Ballenger Inn. Though she does not realize it is from Jase, it triggers memories of their marriage. As she reflects on these memories, Montegue arrives.

The Ballengers share the details of Jalaine’s death, and Jase explains how Montegue orchestrated all the attacks on Hell’s Mouth. Overwhelmed by the revelations, Jase heads to the greenhouse to gather the launcher and munitions.

Jase’s mother, visibly pregnant, enters the scene. After learning about Paxton’s role in saving Lydia and Nash, she welcomes him warmly.

Montegue enters, his face scarred from his chin to his eye from Kazi’s knife. He questions Kazi, demanding the location of the vial and of Lydia and Nash. Kazi verbally attacks Montegue, declaring he will never be as loved as Jase is. Infuriated, Montegue calls for Banques, but Kazi taunts him, calling him a coward who never dirties his own hands. Enraged by her defiance, Montegue vows to take care of Kazi himself.

All the vault inhabitants gather to eat together, and Jase takes the opportunity to explain how his relationship with Kazi began and the depths of Beaufort’s betrayal. He is brutally honest with his family, revealing Kazi’s history as a thief and his decision to move Sylvey’s body. The family listens intently, gradually accepting Kazi and formulating plans to rescue her.

Later, Gunner finds Jase and apologizes, explaining the immense strain he was under while trying to take care of everyone amidst so much adversity. He acknowledges his mistakes and offers a detailed plan to rescue Kazi.

Montegue returns with ashti, which are venomous dogs whose bites cause a slow and painful death. After some taunting, he releases them on Kazi, demanding she reveal the location of the vial in exchange for the antidote to the bites.

The vault inhabitants are revitalized with renewed purpose as they prepare to rescue Kazi. Jase, feeling a deep kinship with his ancestors who also fought to survive, channels their resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

Kazi battles delirium induced by the excruciating pain from the ashti’s venom. Montegue and Banques interrogate her relentlessly about the vial, but despite their efforts, she provides them with misinformation each time. They heal her only enough to keep her alive through their questioning. As Kazi’s suffering intensifies, the healer proposes administering poison to end her agony, but Kazi steadfastly declines. In a moment of despair, Kazi glimpses Death, who urges her to persevere and live another day.

The Ballengers mobilize in preparation for Kazi’s imminent execution, which is set for the following day.

As Kazi’s captors prepare her for the gallows, they are deeply concerned that she might not survive long enough to reach the execution site. Despite Montegue’s final demands for the vial, Kazi remains steadfast and refuses again. With grim resolve, Kazi mentally prepares herself for her impending death.

At the execution site, Paxton points out Banques to Jase—he is the only member of the Montegue entourage who is unknown to Jase. Meanwhile, Montegue lists Kazi’s supposed crimes and orders her brought out onto the platform for execution. Sensing something awry, Jase anxiously watches as Kazi stumbles toward the gallows. The Ballengers shoot a launcher above the crowd. In the ensuing chaos, Jase takes a daring leap to reach Kazi.

Kazi and Montegue exchange final barbs, with Montegue confessing to the murder of his father. As Kazi is led toward the gallows, she catches sight of a looming black shadow above her, believing it to be Death.

Jase balances precariously on a rope and pulley system, encouraging Kazi to cling to him as they escape. He suspects that Montegue drugged Kazi to render her immobile. Along the way, the Ballengers inspect Kazi for injuries and discover she has been bitten by ashti. This requires them to reach the vault by daylight to obtain the antidote.

Despite the challenges of their journey, they come close to reaching the vault when a patrol discovers them. The group splits up to divert the pursuers. Jase manages to reach the vault but fears the worst when he can no longer detect Kazi’s pulse.

Jase rushes Kazi to the healer, who administers the antidote, visibly taken aback by the severity of Kazi’s wounds. The rest of the group slowly returns, some carrying stolen launchers. Mason and Synové arrive late the following day with over 20 loads of ammunition, explaining their delayed return.

When Kazi begins to stir, everyone gathers around her anxiously.

Kazi awakens in confusion and briefly mistakes Jase for Montegue, but they share a tearful reunion. Later, despite her weakened state, Kazi joins the rest at the vault for dinner, receiving heartfelt thanks from several people on her way to the table. Jase’s mother, Varilyn, embraces Kazi warmly, welcoming her as a daughter.

The conversation is awkward during dinner until the Ballenger family takes turns apologizing to Kazi. Afterward, Kazi seeks out Gunner to clear the air. She asks about the scholar’s papers, and Gunner assures her they found nothing.