Violet, Rhiannon, and Ridoc sprint from the infirmary to confront venin who have infiltrated Basgiath disguised as scribes. They discover rows of desiccated bodies in the overflow beds—victims drained without anyone noticing. Violet hands Sawyer an alloy-hilted dagger and orders Maren to protect him before the trio heads into the tunnels. Along the way, Violet kills a venin disguised as a scribe by recognizing that a real scribe would have fled toward the Archives, not away from them. The group warns two genuine first-year scribes and follows sounds of fighting downstairs to the brig.

In the brig's antechamber, the trio finds four dark wielders attempting to free Jack Barlowe from his cell. One rider guard is already dead, and another is being killed on the interrogation table. Violet notices a silver-braided female venin with a forehead tattoo who locks eyes with her before vanishing into thin air. Violet kills the sword-wielding venin at the table with a dagger throw, and a chaotic fight ensues. The dark-haired venin moves with unnatural speed and taunts Violet, telling her she's far from the sky and can't kill him with a knife. The venin also shouts that they need Violet alive—"the silver hair"—likely to use against Xaden.

Before the venin can act, shadows explode through the chamber. Xaden arrives, his darkness swallowing all light, killing the remaining venin, and pulling Violet to safety. Garrick stands at the base of the stairs behind him. Violet examines Xaden and is relieved to find no trace of red in his eyes. The group is debriefed by Colonel Panchek. Garrick notes that the venin targeted Barlowe rather than the wardstone, and that Mira's wards on Barlowe's cell prevented him from gaining new intelligence. Garrick also reveals that Barlowe is draining stones inside the cell and will likely die within the week.

After the debrief, Xaden and Violet steal a moment alone on the staircase. Xaden admits that Sgaeyl still refuses to speak with him because she senses he is not "whole." Violet insists he hasn't changed and asks if he still loves her. Xaden declares he could become a Maven—the highest rank of dark wielder—and still love her. Violet reassures him she isn't afraid and won't run. However, Xaden reveals a disturbing truth: he sensed the venin inside the wards the same way they sense him, which is how he and Garrick have killed over a dozen this week. He tells Violet he can feel the source of power beneath Basgiath calling to him, confirming that he is fundamentally connected to the venin. Violet is shaken but resolves to find a cure.