Violet Sorrengail chases Xaden Riorson through dark tunnels beneath the quadrant, guided only by their dragons’ bond and flickering mage lights. Xaden is hiding the faint strawberry-red circles in his eyes after channeling from the earth during the battle that saved Basgiath, a sign that could get him arrested or executed if seen. Snow falls over the ravine outside, and the campus halls teem with wounded and healers as Violet pushes through her grief for her mother’s death.

At the Healer Quadrant, Violet spots shadows slipping into the stairwell to the interrogation chamber, guarded by two soldiers under Melgren’s orders. Drawing on confidence and her reputation as the lightning wielder, she persuades the guards to look away for ten minutes, arguing she deserves a moment with the man responsible for her mother’s death. She descends, fighting the scent of wet earth and her fear of what Xaden has become.

Through her mental link with Andarna, Violet debates the risks and refuses to accept that Xaden is a soulless venin. Andarna pledges support, acknowledging that Violet trusted her despite unknown origins. They recall Andarna’s startling feat in the battle: when her scales changed, she scorched a venin, something previously unheard of, suggesting her altered state may interact with dark wielders in new ways worth investigating.

Near the cells, Violet overhears Jack Barlowe taunting Xaden. Jack claims higher authorities want Violet’s power, warns that channeling will erode Xaden’s control, and insinuates Violet could be taken to keep Xaden compliant. Xaden denies he would ever harm Violet, but Jack notes Xaden is already seeking a cure and threatens that Xaden’s eye-rings could become permanent and Violet could be drained gray.

Realizing Jack knows Xaden channeled and could expose him, Violet resolves to protect Xaden at all costs. She commits to finding a cure by any means, including bargaining for knowledge and interrogating dark wielders. Andarna advocates pursuing all paths, including locating her own kind to replicate the alteration that burned the venin, asserting that dragons do not answer to human laws.

Violet accepts that secrecy and possibly breaking laws will be necessary. Determined to avoid killing Jack and the fallout that would cause, she decides to bring in Imogen, the one person beyond Bodhi and Garrick she trusts with the full truth and Xaden’s best interests. Violet ends with a vow: she will not die today and will save Xaden.