Golden Son

Pliny warns that invading Ganymede will result in war against the Society, but Augustus asks Darrow to continue explaining his plan. Darrow suggests they attack the training facilities, so they can hold the students for ransom. Mustang calls Darrow insane, and Augustus lashes out at her for acting childish, but admires the way she defends herself against Pliny’s insults. Mustang supports Darrow, saying Octavia will kill them if they attempt a peace agreement. Augustus agrees and orders a supporter to lead Octavia’s fleet on a chase while he attacks Ganymede. He instructs Mustang to collect the students from the Academy. He tells his supporters to make him a king then dismisses them.

Afterwards, Augustus asks Darrow if he is a “demokrat” or social reformer. Darrow denies it, claiming he supports the current organization of society, save for a few corrupt exceptions like Pliny. Unconvinced, Augustus shows footage of Darrow’s possession of the Pax, drawing attention to the spark of hope in the lowColors’s expressions. He tells Darrow to stay a warrior rather than becoming political, ordering him to go to Lorn, who loves Darrow, to gain his support, by force if necessary.

Daxo and Kavax wait for Darrow to finish with Augustus. They don’t blame him for the Jackal murdering Pax (in the first book of the series, Red Rising), and they offer him help. Darrow accepts the offer, saying he will have instructions soon. Darrow informs the Jackal of the new plan, then steers the ship toward Europa. Roque approaches Darrow and asks why Darrow sedated him, to which Darrow responds he was trying to protect Roque. Darrow agrees that he was wrong and sincerely apologizes before Roque walks away.

Darrow arrives on Europa and meets with Lorn. Lorn talks of his father, his own health and strength, and the birth of his great-granddaughter the previous night. He’s lost too many loved ones and feels he’s lived too long, telling Darrow: “Hands, I think, were not meant to feel so much” (250). Lorn invites Darrow to meet his pet griffin, Icarus, and he says his family is hidden. Darrow asks Lorn to help them fight against Octavia. Darrow thinks Lorn left Society because it’s sick, and Lorn corrects him saying it’s dead. He says, “Gold was meant to shepherd the other Colors, not devour them. Now we are trapped again in that cycle, the very thing we endeavored to avoid” (253).

Lorn explains Augustus forced his way into power. His entire family had been killed, but Augustus was saved so the old family did not die out. He formed a plan with Octavia, and he married Iona au Bellona then killed her the night of their wedding and stole the ArchGovernorship from House Cylus. With Augustus’s support, Octavia killed her father and claimed the role of Sovereign. Lorn says he will not enter into another war. They find Icarus sleeping. Lorn questions if Darrow is in love with Mustang, saying he could understand why Darrow would fight for her, but Darrow says his fight is not about her. Waking Icarus, Lorn points to Darrow’s ship which is surrounded by enemy fighters led by Aja. They’ve arrived days prior, expecting Darrow to approach Lorn for help. Lorn offers Darrow the chance to escape on Icarus, but Darrow refuses both the offer of escape and Lorn’s plea to live out his life in peace. Darrow orders the Howlers and Titans to attack Aja’s fleet.

Anticipating Pliny’s treason, Darrow had leaked details of his plan to visit Lorn and developed contingencies for the subsequent attack. As Aja and several fighters approach, Lorn calls out that he is not part of the fight, but she says he must pick a side. Tactus appears and knows Sevro is nearby. Darrow calls for Sevro to come out with the Howlers. When Darrow was walking with Lorn, he had dropped bomb spikes onto the ground which he now detonates, killing all but Tactus, Aja, and three Praetorians.

Aja runs, and Roque yells at them to catch her, but Darrow tells Sevro to hold for a moment before sending the Howlers after her. Roque complains again, and Darrow tells him to pay attention to his own fight. Tactus and Aja hide, and Darrow realizes their next plan is to kill Lorn’s family. They rush to where Lorn’s family is hidden and find Tactus. Darrow offers Tactus forgiveness and friendship, and Tactus drops his weapon, falls to his knees, and cries. Darrow believes if Tactus can change, so can other Golds. Lorn’s family is taken to safety, leaving only Tactus, Darrow, and Lorn in the room. In retaliation for threatening his family, Lorn kills Tactus.