Motif · Book 8, A Parade of Horribles

The Eye of the Bedlam Bride

Odette's people's proverb — never stare into the blinding eye of the Bedlam Bride, lest obsession blind you to all else — and, by the end of the eighth floor, a tattoo above Carl's sternum: an eye Shi Maria pokes into him with ink from a toraline root while she wears his body, that blinks once and hides. 'I am a part of you… Keep me with you and gain my power, or set me free.' The escort quest survives the tearing of her card.

Segment appearances

• Chapter 35 — Eris and the five-sided coin
• Chapter 86 — Mimics; the Big Six
• Chapter 87 — Louis goes; Safehome Yolanda; the giant Imani
• Chapter 88 — Interlude: Quasar; the eleventh floor — twenty-three crawlers; Chaco's parade

Progression

It opens on Carl's chest for Eris (ch. 35, ch. 36). On the dachshund's forehead it speaks — 'Let me take over' and 'I am here when you need me' — and freezes a mimic cold (ch. 86); 'I control it', Carl tells the party, and Elle answers 'You’re keeping secrets from us' (ch. 87).