Prologue: Secrets Beneath Blackwood

In 2016, Dr. Jude Farlow, a new trainee at the prestigious Blackwood Institute, stumbles upon the institution's darkest secrets. While searching for a missing patient, Lucia, he discovers a hidden basement filled with torture chambers and evidence of inhumane experiments. Caught by Professor Lazlo, the mastermind behind the program, Jude is betrayed and drugged, becoming another victim of Blackwood's monstrous system. This chilling prologue sets the stage for a story of survival, trauma, and the fight for truth, as the line between victim and perpetrator blurs within the institute's gothic walls.

Escape and Ashes

After months of imprisonment and psychological torture, Brooklyn West and her chosen family—Kade, Hudson, Phoenix, and Eli—escape Blackwood during a riot, leaving the institution in flames. They retreat to a remote Scottish cottage, haunted by the loss of loved ones and the scars of their ordeal. Brooklyn, once Patient Eight, struggles to reclaim her identity, mourning her brother Logan and the innocence lost. The group, battered and traumatized, must confront their shared pain and the reality that freedom does not erase the past. Their bond is tested as they bury ghosts and try to build a fragile new life on the ashes of their suffering.

Fractured Family Reunion

In the aftermath of their escape, the group's unity is strained by secrets, guilt, and unresolved trauma. Brooklyn's relationships with her lovers are complicated by her time as Augustus's enforcer, and the arrival of Seven (Jude), now a broken shell, further destabilizes the group. Old wounds are reopened as they confront the horrors they endured and the roles they played in Blackwood's violence. The need for truth and healing clashes with the instinct to protect one another from further pain. As evidence of Blackwood's crimes surfaces, the group must decide whether to hide or fight back, knowing that Incendia's reach is vast and merciless.

Haunted by the Past

Brooklyn's fragile recovery is threatened by hallucinations, dissociation, and the resurfacing of her alter, Patient Eight. The group's attempts at normalcy are shattered by panic attacks and violent outbursts, revealing the depth of their psychological wounds. Brooklyn's struggle to distinguish reality from trauma is mirrored by her lovers' own battles with addiction, self-harm, and rage. The arrival of other survivors, Lucia and Two, brings new stories of suffering and complicity, deepening the sense of shared victimhood. The past refuses to stay buried, and the group is forced to confront the monsters within and without.

Truths, Scars, and Survival

As the group shares their darkest secrets, bonds are tested and reformed. Brooklyn reveals the extent of her violence under Augustus's control, and Seven's transformation from healer to killer is laid bare. The survivors grapple with guilt, shame, and the question of whether they deserve forgiveness or freedom. Their unconventional love—refusing to choose between partners—becomes both a source of strength and tension. The outside world encroaches as evidence is gathered, and the group must decide whether to risk exposure for the chance at justice. Survival means facing the truth, no matter how ugly.

Ghosts and New Beginnings

In the Scottish cottage, moments of peace and intimacy offer glimpses of hope. The group tries to reclaim their bodies and minds through love, sex, and small acts of care. Brooklyn's haircut becomes a symbol of shedding the past, while Eli's silent devotion and Phoenix's confessions of love bring comfort. Yet, the specter of Incendia looms, and the group's safety is precarious. Sadie's true identity as an undercover agent is revealed, and the need to expose Incendia's crimes becomes urgent. The survivors must choose between hiding and fighting, knowing that the cost of either path is high.

Tensions and Temptations

Old rivalries and new attractions threaten the group's fragile unity. Hudson's possessiveness, Seven's volatility, and Brooklyn's divided affections lead to explosive confrontations and passionate reconciliations. The group's unconventional relationships are both a balm and a battleground, as love and violence intermingle. The arrival of new threats and the loss of leads force the group to act, setting in motion a plan to confront Incendia head-on. The line between healing and self-destruction blurs, as the survivors seek solace in each other's arms while preparing for the next battle.

The World Closing In

The group's attempts to gather evidence and clear their names are met by betrayal and escalating danger. Incendia's president, Bancroft, launches a public campaign to brand Brooklyn and her friends as dangerous fugitives, using the media and law enforcement to hunt them down. Sadie's infiltration of another institute offers a glimmer of hope, but the group is forced to split up and go on the run. Old allies become enemies, and the survivors must rely on their wits and each other to stay alive. The world's indifference to their suffering becomes another enemy to overcome.

Betrayals and Revelations

A meeting with a supposed ally turns into a deadly trap, as Miss White betrays the group to Incendia's mercenaries. A brutal firefight ensues, and the survivors are forced to kill or be killed. The cost of survival is high, and the group is left reeling from the violence and the realization that no one can be trusted. Sadie's true employer, Sabre Security, steps in to offer protection, but the price is cooperation and testimony. The group must decide whether to trust these new allies and risk everything for a chance at justice.

The Price of Freedom

As the group is hunted across London, they seek refuge with Phoenix's old gang, only to be betrayed again. A violent raid by Incendia's forces leads to the death of Phoenix's sister and the capture of several group members. Brooklyn is separated and forced to confront her hallucinations and the ghosts of her past. Sabre Security rescues the survivors, but the cost is high—Sadie is killed, and the group is forced to testify against Incendia. The survivors must choose between freedom and the truth, knowing that justice may come at the price of their own lives.

Blood, Love, and Loyalty

With the help of Sabre Security, the group orchestrates a plan to bring down Incendia from within. Brooklyn and Seven confront Professor Lazlo, extracting the information needed to rescue Phoenix and expose the corporation's crimes. The final confrontation is a bloody reckoning, as Brooklyn is forced to choose between saving her family and killing her mother, now a weaponized shell of her former self. The survivors' love and loyalty are tested to the breaking point, but in the end, they choose each other over vengeance, finding redemption in their shared pain.

The Trap is Sprung

Bancroft lures the group back to Blackwood Institute for a final, public execution. In front of a crowd of investors and enablers, Brooklyn is forced to choose between her mother and her chosen family. With the help of Seven and Sabre Security, the group turns the tables, exposing Bancroft's crimes and bringing him to a violent end. The world finally sees the truth, and Incendia's empire begins to crumble. The survivors are left to pick up the pieces, mourning the dead and grappling with the cost of their freedom.

The Last Stand at Blackwood

The aftermath of Bancroft's death brings both relief and uncertainty. The government is forced to act, and the survivors are offered a deal: testify and be granted freedom, or face prosecution. Brooklyn and Seven, deemed too damaged for release, choose to return to Clearview for treatment, hoping to heal the wounds that still threaten to consume them. The rest of the group is left to build new lives, haunted by the past but determined to honor the memory of those lost. Letters and promises bind them together, even as they are forced apart.

Justice, Loss, and Letting Go

In the months and years that follow, the survivors struggle to find meaning and peace. Letters between Brooklyn and her family reveal the slow, painful process of healing and forgiveness. Each member finds a new purpose—Phoenix in helping others, Eli in education, Kade and Hudson in justice work. Brooklyn and Seven, now Jude, work through their trauma in Clearview, learning to live with their scars. The story ends with a reunion, as the family comes together to begin a new chapter, forever changed but unbroken.

Letters from the Heart

A series of heartfelt letters from Hudson, Phoenix, Kade, and Eli to Brooklyn mark the passage of time and the endurance of love. Each letter reveals growth, longing, and the hope for reunion. The family's bond, forged in suffering, becomes a source of strength and healing. The letters serve as a testament to the power of chosen family and the belief that even the most broken can find redemption and belonging.

Epilogue: New Beginnings

Three years after the fall of Incendia, Jude (formerly Seven) and Brooklyn are discharged from Clearview, ready to rejoin their family and begin anew. The group, now free and whole, sets out on a journey across Europe, determined to live the lives they were once denied. The scars of the past remain, but they are no longer defined by them. Together, they embrace the uncertainty of the future, knowing that love, loyalty, and the will to survive can overcome even the darkest of fates.

Characters

Brooklyn West

Brooklyn is the heart of the story—a young woman forged in trauma, violence, and resilience. Once Patient Eight, she is both victim and perpetrator, shaped by years of abuse at Blackwood and the loss of her family. Her relationships with Kade, Hudson, Phoenix, Eli, and Seven are complex, blending love, guilt, and the desperate need for connection. Brooklyn's psyche is fractured, haunted by hallucinations and the alter ego that helped her survive. Her journey is one of self-forgiveness, reclaiming agency, and learning to accept love despite her scars. She is fiercely loyal, willing to sacrifice everything for her chosen family, and ultimately finds redemption in the act of letting go.

Kade Knight

Kade is the group's steady hand and reluctant leader, driven by a need to atone for his family's sins and protect those he loves. Adopted into privilege but marked by pain, he is both compassionate and pragmatic, often forced to make hard choices for the greater good. His relationship with Brooklyn is built on mutual respect and deep affection, but he struggles with guilt over his father's involvement in Incendia. Kade's journey is one of self-acceptance, learning to balance control with vulnerability, and finding purpose in fighting for justice.

Hudson Knight

Hudson is the group's enforcer—fiercely protective, volatile, and deeply scarred by abandonment and violence. His love for Brooklyn is possessive and raw, often clashing with his need for control. Hudson's journey is one of learning to trust, let go of the past, and accept that love does not have to be earned through pain. His loyalty to his family is unwavering, and he finds redemption in fighting for others and building a new life beyond Blackwood.

Phoenix Kent

Phoenix is the group's wild card—a former gang member and addict, marked by loss and the burden of survival. His love for Brooklyn and Eli is passionate and unconditional, but he is haunted by guilt over his sister's death and his own past. Phoenix's journey is one of transformation, as he channels his pain into helping others and finding meaning beyond self-destruction. His humor and resilience provide light in the darkest moments, and his willingness to share love without limits is a source of healing for the group.

Eli Woods

Eli is the group's quiet anchor, rendered mute by years of abuse and institutionalization. His bond with Brooklyn and Phoenix is deep and wordless, built on shared pain and the need for safety. Eli's journey is one of reclaiming his voice, learning to trust, and finding agency in a world that has always silenced him. His acts of care and moments of courage reveal a profound inner strength, and his eventual return to education and advocacy is a testament to his resilience.

Seven / Jude Farlow

Once Dr. Jude Farlow, Seven is transformed by Blackwood's experiments into a weapon of violence and control. His relationship with Brooklyn is forged in shared suffering, and he becomes both her protector and mirror. Seven's struggle to reclaim his humanity is central to the story, as he battles the legacy of his actions and the loss of his former self. His journey is one of integration—accepting both the darkness and the light within, and choosing to live for love rather than vengeance.

Sadie / Alyssa Farlow

Sadie is Seven's sister and a covert operative for Sabre Security, driven by the need to find and save her brother. Her dual identity and secret mission create tension and mistrust, but her loyalty to the group is unwavering. Sadie's death is a pivotal moment, galvanizing the survivors to fight for justice and honoring her sacrifice. Her legacy is one of courage, compassion, and the belief that the truth is worth any cost.

Professor Lazlo

Lazlo is the mastermind behind Blackwood's experiments, a clinician who sacrifices humanity for the pursuit of control and power. His manipulation of patients and staff leaves a trail of broken lives, and his eventual downfall is both a victory and a reminder of the system's cruelty. Lazlo's character embodies the dangers of unchecked authority and the dehumanization of the vulnerable.

Joseph Bancroft

Bancroft is the face of Incendia's evil—a charismatic, ruthless leader who uses wealth and influence to cover up atrocities. His pursuit of Brooklyn and her family is relentless, and his public persona masks a monstrous core. Bancroft's downfall is a cathartic moment, but his legacy lingers as a warning about the power of institutions to destroy lives.

Teegan Lopez

Teegan is Brooklyn's childhood friend, a survivor of her own trauma and a reminder of the possibility of healing. Her forgiveness and continued presence in Brooklyn's life offer hope that the past can be survived, if not erased. Teegan's resilience and loyalty are a quiet but powerful force in the story.

Plot Devices

Nonlinear, Multi-Perspective Narrative

The novel employs a nonlinear structure, alternating between past and present, and shifting perspectives among Brooklyn and her lovers. This device allows for a deep exploration of trauma, memory, and the ways in which different characters process pain. The use of letters, therapy sessions, and hallucinations blurs the line between reality and perception, immersing the reader in the characters' fractured psyches. The narrative's fragmentation mirrors the characters' own struggles to piece themselves together, and the gradual revelation of secrets builds tension and empathy.

Foreshadowing and Symbolism

Throughout the story, recurring symbols—such as the polaroid photos, scars, and the motif of birds—foreshadow key events and reflect the characters' emotional journeys. The use of music, art, and physical scars as both wounds and badges of survival deepens the narrative's emotional resonance. Foreshadowing is used to build suspense, particularly in the lead-up to betrayals and the final confrontation at Blackwood.

Reverse Harem and Chosen Family

The "why choose" romance structure is not just a plot device but a thematic statement: love, in all its forms, is a radical act of survival. The group's refusal to conform to societal expectations of monogamy or "normalcy" becomes a source of strength, allowing them to heal and protect one another. The chosen family dynamic is central, challenging the idea that blood ties are the only bonds that matter.

Trauma as Both Obstacle and Catalyst

The story's central plot device is the exploration of trauma—not just as a source of suffering, but as a catalyst for transformation. The characters' psychological wounds are both obstacles to intimacy and the very reason they find each other. The narrative structure, with its cycles of breakdown and recovery, mirrors the nonlinear process of healing. The ultimate message is that survival is not about erasing pain, but learning to live with it.

Analysis

Desecrated Saints is a harrowing, unflinching exploration of trauma, survival, and the radical power of chosen family. J. Rose crafts a narrative that refuses easy answers, instead immersing the reader in the messy, nonlinear process of healing after profound abuse. The novel's reverse harem structure is not mere titillation, but a deliberate challenge to the idea that love must be exclusive or "normal" to be real. Through Brooklyn and her lovers, the story interrogates the ways in which institutions—psychiatric, familial, societal—can both destroy and save. The use of multiple perspectives, nonlinear storytelling, and recurring motifs of scars, birds, and music create a tapestry of pain and hope. Ultimately, the novel argues that survival is not about erasing the past, but about forging meaning and connection in its aftermath. Justice, when it comes, is imperfect and costly, but the act of telling the truth—of refusing to be silenced—is itself a form of redemption. Desecrated Saints is a testament to the resilience of the broken, the necessity of forgiveness (especially of oneself), and the belief that even in the darkest places, love can be both a weapon and a balm.

Last updated: December 29, 2025