Violet and Tairn race ahead of the squad into the valley housing the village of Newhall, ignoring orders relayed through Maise to return. As they approach the burning village, they engage multiple wyvern in aerial combat. Violet strikes one with lightning using her conduit, and Tairn destroys others with his tail, but the fight is relentless. From above, Violet spots the dark wielder she recognizes from Jack's cell—a silver-haired venin standing in the center of the drained village. The venin waves at them, and Violet realizes the entire attack was a trap designed to lure her beyond the wards.

Before Violet can react further, the venin conjures a tornado that catches Tairn and flings them into a mountainside. Both Tairn and Garrick's dragon Chradh—who had arrived unexpectedly to help—are knocked unconscious in the crash. Violet's kneecap is dislocated on impact, and after a terrifying fall down the ridge, Tairn's breathing resumes and she confirms he's alive. Garrick, bleeding from a head wound, catches Violet when she drops from the saddle and helps reset her knee. As they stabilize each other, Violet demands to know how Garrick arrived so quickly. He reveals that Xaden sent him after learning Violet crossed the border, and that Xaden completely lost control upon hearing the news—behavior Garrick says he has never witnessed before.

The squad's other dragons and gryphons arrive at the village perimeter. Before Garrick can explain how he traveled so fast, the silver-haired venin approaches on foot. She demonstrates she can wield lightning—Violet's own signet—terrifying Violet, who realizes venin are not supposed to have signets. The venin introduces herself as Theophanie, confirms she killed Maren's parents to bait Violet out, and telekinetically chokes Garrick to force compliance. She reveals knowledge of Violet, Xaden, and her two dragons, calling Violet a potential "leash"—the same term Jack used. Theophanie offers to release Garrick in exchange for one question: which dragon chose Violet first, the one who gave her lightning or the iridescent one? The chapter ends on this cliffhanger as Garrick crashes to the ground and Theophanie awaits her answer.