Onyx Storm Ending Explained: Why Fans Think This Character Is Xaden’s Venin Brother

With those facts in mind, the most likely suspect to have joined the ranks of venin—those who corrupt their souls by channeling magic from the earth—seems to be none other than Xaden’s cousin and only living Riorson relative, Bodhi Durran.

Perhaps the biggest hint that points to Bodhi also answers a second key question: why Violet and Xaden secretly marry. Throughout Onyx Storm, Xaden stresses that Bodhi, his very reluctant heir, will need to take over ruling the province of Tyrrendor when Xaden reaches the point of no return in his transition into venin.

So if Bodhi is alive and well—and, most importantly, not venin—after Xaden reaches that point at the end of the book, why else would Violet need to have a legally binding tie to the rule of Tyrrendor? If both men are no longer viable for the Tyrrendor line of succession, with Violet as his wife, Xaden has the province is safely in her hands—for now.

Beyond the curious nuptials is Bodhi’s recurring frustration at being sidelined throughout the book due to his place in Tyrrendor’s succession line. Really, he believes he is meant to fight at Xaden’s side, in part due to his signet—the ability to counter the signets of others—he insists could be helpful in fighting Theophanie and the other venin.

If he becomes a venin himself, it stands to reason his signet—which he found to be useless against venin—might become altered as well, turning Bodhi into a usable weapon against the dark wielders.

But, while the evidence is not looking good for Bodhi, there’s another rider with a rebellion relic who fans think is almost as compelling an option: Garrick Tavis.

First, while Bodhi is privy to Xaden’s struggles throughout Onyx Storm, it is his BFF Garrick who is most often by his side, watching out for him even when the Duke of Tyrrendor is drawn away from campus and Bohdi is left behind.

Plus, there’s the fact that Garrick—whose second signet is revealed to be distance wielding—is so run down at the end of the book. And, as Rebecca hinted during a recent event, the reason “you turn venin is you weren’t given enough power.”

Which brings us to Garrick’s comment at the end of Onyx Storm. While in conversation with Imogen during the battle, he laments the toll using his power so much has taken, saying, “I can’t walk again. Even if I made it to Aretia, I’d never be strong enough to get back. So, I’d better find some f–king way to do something.”

But despite Bodhi and Garrick—who is one of the only missing riders to be named at the book’s close—having the strongest cases, there is one more character we need to look at: Violet’s brother, Brennan Sorrengail.

For one, Xaden reveals Brennan knew about his turning long before Violet realized, as the mender attempted to heal Xaden of his venin affliction. (A.K.A., he also bore witness to Xaden’s struggles.)

There’s also the verbiage Xaden uses. While the term “brother” could refer to either Bodhi or Garrick, perhaps he means brother literally—in thic case, Violet’s brother and someone Xaden could one day count as a brother-in-law.

And finally, when Sloane—a siphon—helps give Brennan more power while he’s saving his and Violet’s sister Mira, Violet notices there is no scar after Sloane removes her hand. It’s a subtle moment she clocks, remembering that when Brennan was left with a scar when his friend Naolin used his siphoning power and ultimately died saving Brennan.

So while Violet’s observation might not spell out that Brennan is venin, the mysteries surrounding the oldest Sorrengail are only intensifying.

While fans will have to wait—and revisit their favorite theories—until book four arrives, keep reading for some more books to check out while looking to fill the dragon-less void.