Vertias still seems lonely, or at least more aware of it, but also seems to now be good friends with Blanche and at least useful to Sabrian. Sabrian seems very confused and desperate at the moment, which probably is not helped with Raven's antics. Abigail herself is also struggling, both with her newfound abilities and her emotions as she seems to both hope and try not to hope at the same time for a better future. It seems in the midst of this she's aware of her own emotions while also trying not to admit them as she thinks it would be hopeless. Veritas is trying to help, but he may have unintentionally made things worse the way Sabrian tends to take things given the way he's acting now. The end of the book hints at something positive coming in the next volume, though it'll be awhile before it comes out to see how things are going. We do get a new character as well, and this new mage seems to adore Blanche. Add to that the tea party with Karen and things remain rather interesting and confused all over the place with all of these characters.