We all know how much Rebecca Yarros loves to foreshadow in her Empyrean Series books, and Xaden's new venin brother would be earlier than expected. This topic has been heavily discussed among fans since Onyx Storm's release, and there are several theories and a handful of characters who have been labeled as suspects.

However, there's one line in Chapter 35 of Onyx Storm that I'm convinced foreshadows who the brother in question will be. When on the island of Hedotis during the quest squad travels, Mira states that Garrick has continually "stood by Xaden's side no matter the cost". While this may just have been a line to display Garrick's loyalty to Xaden, I think it's a hint left behind by Yarros to stress just how far Garrick would be willing to go to protect his best friend — even if it meant turning venin.

Onyx Storm May Have Hinted That Garrick Would Turn Venin Out Of Loyalty To Xaden

Even The Cost Of His Soul May Not Have Been Too High A Price

Mira's statement in Hedotis is probably an observation many characters have made, and it has a bit of a double meaning. The quote not only suggests that Garrick had "stood by" or ed Xaden for years, especially as he became Duke of Tyrrendor, but also literally, as Yarros made sure Garrick was physically by his side throughout the entire novel. Garrick's loyalty has been proven time and time again through his actions and willingness to help cure Xaden, but Mira's quote also indicates he'd be willing to do anything, "no matter the cost", to stand by him.

Knowing how Yarros likes to sneak clues into her books, the wording of this quote doesn't seem coincidental. Garrick noticeably played a larger role in Onyx Storm, and I think she's been setting up his character in a way that would help readers understand his decision to turn venin — such as his undying loyalty to Xaden. The ending of Onyx Storm sees Garrick desperate for a way to continue helping Xaden in the fight, and it's possible his solution was to turn venin, even at the cost of losing his soul to do so.

This Onyx Storm Line Makes Me Think Garrick Is Xaden's Venin Brother, Not Bodhi

Yarros Perfectly Sets Up Garrick To Follow Xaden

Aside from Garrick, many believe Bodhi is Xaden's new venin brother, and, given how Yarros concludes the novel, I can see why he's considered such a strong contender. There are several clues throughout the narrative concerning Xaden's new brother — suggesting the character would have known of Xaden's affliction for five months, would be missing at the end of the novel, and would feel desperate enough to draw power from the earth. Both Garrick and Bodhi fit this description well, but I've always felt Bodhi to be too obvious of a choice.

After re-reading Onyx Storm and discovering this quote, I think Garrick is the strongest, if not the only contender. A case can definitely be made for Bodhi, but I feel like it's all a misdirection from Yarros. Mira's quote was clearly planted early in the novel to foreshadow and tease Onyx Storm's ending — and the fact that it's so obscure fits with Yarros' use of clues throughout Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. Bodhi is even insistent in the early novel that Garrick remains by Xaden's side, which could be another clue that Garrick is the new venin brother.

Garrick Becoming Venin Out Of Loyalty Puts A Spin On Xaden's Own Reasons For Turning

Doing The Wrong Thing For The Right Reason Is A Continual Theme

If Garrick is in fact revealed to be Xaden's venin brother, it would put an interesting spin on Xaden's own reasons for turning. However, it also raises some questions about whether the intentions behind turning have any effect on the person becoming venin. Garrick seems poised to have turned out of his loyalty to Xaden, which very closely reflects Xaden's decision to turn for love — with both characters doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. Each character would have turned without intent to become all-powerful, but instead to save those they love.

While most deities allow temple attendants to choose their timeline of service, only two require a lifetime of dedication: Dunne and Loial.

For both war and love change souls irrevocably.

— Major Rorilee's Guide To Appeasing The Gods, Second Edition

However, it's interesting that the concept, or idea of turning venin for altruistic purposes would continue to happen throughout the narrative, and it seems like Yarros may be sending a message to the readers about going too far for love. Love is referenced as a powerful emotion throughout Onyx Storm's story, especially concerning the goddess Loial. Onyx Storm's chapter 49 epigraph even suggests that "both war and love change souls irrevocably", and I think whatever Yarros is hinting at here will come into play through Xaden's, and potentially Garrick's, choice to become Venin in a future novel.