At Koen’s cabin, Serena sits under heavy guard while Koen’s seconds prepare to leave for an Assembly meeting. Saul tries to reassure Serena, and when Koen finally speaks to her alone, Serena admits that the young Were’s suicide is weighing on her. Koen tells Serena directly that the death was not her fault, acknowledges that the boy’s words were meaningful rather than nonsense, and explains that the name Constantine refers to a dead Were who once led a destructive cult responsible for thousands of deaths.

Koen says Constantine is unquestionably dead, but he fears the cult’s surviving leaders may still be active. Because the dead boy was too young to have belonged to the original group, Koen suspects Serena is connected to former members through her family and that the cult may want to reclaim her. Serena realizes she may be the “Eva” the boy mentioned. Koen rejects that identity, insists that Serena is still his, and reveals how deeply protective he feels before leaving for the Assembly.

Before Koen goes, the two share a long embrace that intensifies Serena’s growing feelings for him. Serena pulls away because she is thinking about her terminal illness and the damage a deeper attachment could cause. After Koen leaves strict instructions for Serena’s protection, Serena retreats to bed and texts Misery, asking jokingly whether she would be loved less if her name were Eva; Misery answers with dry humor that makes Serena laugh and cry at once.

Later that night, Serena wakes in an extreme fever attack that is worse than before. She struggles toward Koen’s bathroom for a cold bath, remembering that Dr. Henshaw warned these episodes could kill her. When Serena sees her reflection, she notices her eyes changing in a frightening new way. Koen returns unexpectedly, finds Serena half-undressed and burning with fever, realizes this is not her first attack, and stops her from hurting herself with her claws. When Serena panics over her altered eyes, Koen smashes the mirror, puts her into the icy bath, climbs in with her fully clothed, and holds her as she finally falls asleep.