Ninth House

Alex continues investigating the Bridegroom’s case. In Darlington’s notes, she finds a list of dates with the names of young women who died in New Haven. Each date matches the founding of a new society. Alex concludes that the murder of a young woman creates a nexus of power. Since Tara was killed on an open plot of land, it is possible that a society needing a new home has arranged for the murder. Alex’s suspicions of Dean Sandow rear up once again. She finds out he is at a party at the President’s house and decides to confront him there.

Alex gets Dean Sandow to talk to her in private. When she confronts him with her suspicions, he confesses to Tara’s murder, regretful that the ritual had been unsuccessful. The dean was trying to create a new place of power so that St. Elmo’s society could build a new tomb. However, since Tara’s murder did not achieve the desired result, Dean Sandow plans to use recent events as a pretext to punish Manuscript and give their headquarters to St. Elmo’s. The need for money drives Sandow’s machinations: He is impoverished after his divorce and St. Elmo’s has paid off all his expenses.

The dean ingests Merity, planning to influence Alex. However, she reaches out to the Bridegroom, who enters her body. Their combined strength allows her to resist Sandow’s commands. At that moment, Professor Belbalm enters the room. 

Professor Belbalm can see the Bridegroom hiding inside Alex. She demonstrates a talent similar to Alex’s, and refers to them both as “Wheelwakers,” or those who can reach beyond the Veil without rituals (429). She calls the Bridegroom “Bertie,” revealing herself as Daisy. The day of her murder, a spirit had possessed her, and, in her panic, she had shoved it into Bertram who could not contain it. After her body died, she took over that of her maid. When Daisy ate the maid’s soul to make room for her own, that act of violence created a nexus.

Alex realizes that the other nexuses campus must have appeared when Daisy consumed the souls of other young female Wheelwalkers. Daisy confirms this, kills Dean Sandow by ingesting his soul, and attacks Alex.

Alex’s memories flash in her mind as Daisy consumes her. As a last resort, Alex calls out to the dead for help. Attracted to her fear and longing for life, they surge towards the young woman from all over the city in a ghostly wave. The wave pushes Belbalm back and, in that moment, Alex calls out the names of all the girls the professor had devoured. They come out of the older woman one by one. After Daisy’s maid emerges last, Alex opens herself up and pulls out Daisy’s own soul, but does not ingest it. The professor’s body disintegrates. 

At Dean Sandow’s funeral, Alex tells Turner her discovery about Tara’s murder, but believes she has lost Turner’s support.

After the service, Alex, previous Virgil Michelle, and Pamela discuss Darlington. Alex surmises that he has become a demon after the hellbeast devoured him. She wants the three of them to go to Hell and bring him back.