In the gathering hall, Violet and Xaden kiss fiercely before Xaden pulls back, admitting terror and a loss of control after learning Violet faced a venin attack beyond the wards. He describes a compulsion so strong he would have drained the earth to reach her, and says something is broken between his logic and emotions. He states he cannot trust himself to touch her safely while ordered to the front, and Violet promises they will figure it out, even if they must limit themselves to only kissing until she finds a cure.

Violet asks about Garrick, and Xaden implicitly confirms Garrick’s distance signet and that certain relics often accompany second signets, suggesting their dragons chose them to build power. Violet then confides that the venin Theophanie wielded lightning, leading her to believe venin may have signets rather than only lesser magics. Xaden accepts her assessment and asks what else was omitted from the Samara report.

Over the following week, classes resume at Basgiath except for history, while the school fills with riders and incoming fliers. Imogen passes Violet a letter from Xaden, reporting that he fought in Fervan, nearly burned out, and is secluding himself to recover, which Violet interprets as him “slipping” and waiting for his eyes to return to normal. Violet insists on pursuing every avenue for a cure and proposes questioning Jack Barlowe directly.

Violet and Imogen descend to the interrogation chamber, where Jack appears emaciated and near death, chained within Mira’s wards. Violet offers a bargain: alloy imbued with power to keep him alive a week in exchange for answers, and sets out a vial of powdered orange peel as a merciful death option to underscore the stakes.

Jack confirms venin can sense each other, especially when new, and that initiates are traceable while Sages and Mavens are undetectable to them. He implies venin may have infiltrated Basgiath by trading information for power. He says those already experienced with magic—like dragon riders or gryphon fliers—do not require instruction to channel from the source, while the untrained would. He withholds strategic plans, calling information need-to-know, and rejects the possibility of a cure, describing venin as “free” of conscience and attachment and claiming they do not wish to be cured.

Violet honors the deal; Jack consumes the alloy’s power and visibly revives, then taunts Violet about her past torture, admitting he answered her to prove he can still hurt her without lifting a blade. Violet and Imogen depart, with Imogen implying she will erase his memory of their visit.

Outside, Rhiannon, Ridoc, and Sawyer wait in the tunnel. A records notice states Jesinia Neilwart has failed three exams and has been removed from the adept path, with her command transferred to Professor Grady under protest by Colonel Markham.