After leaving Lanistia, Vis is stopped by Emissa, who asks to ride with him and finally explain why she stabbed him. Emissa says she believed Vis had already died and become one of the undead "Iunctii" Veridius had taught her to detect. When Emissa cut away Vis's shirt that night, Vis's blood reacted in a way she recognized as wrong, so she attacked first because she thought she was protecting everyone else.

Emissa then explains why she no longer believes Vis is one of the dead. Military tested Lanistia's blood and found no sign of undeath, and Emissa says true Iunctii cannot heal the way Vis did after returning from the Labyrinth. Emissa admits Veridius thinks Vis's blood was altered by what happened in the ruins and on the far side of the island, and she apologizes sincerely, but Vis cannot forgive her.

The conversation turns to the real reason Emissa sought him out: a warning from Veridius. She tells Vis that, before Placement, the authorities will run a special blood test mandated by the Princeps, and that the result will expose him and get him killed. Emissa offers a workaround: if Vis temporarily cedes to her before the test, his Will should be reduced enough to avoid detection, and she promises to release him afterward. Vis believes the danger is real but rejects trusting his life to her, though he says he may still visit Veridius if he gets what he wants. Emissa also offers to help him see the secret prisoner taken after the Iudicium once they both reach Sextus rank, then gives Vis a Military access token before leaving.

Later that night, Vis secretly visits Eidhin in the Military apartments. Once inside, Vis finally lets his composure break and admits he is not alright. He tells Eidhin almost everything that has happened recently: the ruins, the red dome, the Labyrinth, Veridius's claims about the Cataclysm, the Aurora Columnae, Lanistia, and Emissa's warning about the coming blood test. Vis stops short of revealing his true identity and connection to the Anguis, deciding some secrets remain too dangerous to share.

Eidhin listens, then offers practical help instead of judgment. He recalls that Veridius and Sextus Carcius had previously asked unusual questions about the Cymrian ddram cyfraith, whose traditions describe the Cataclysm as a recurring cycle, and says his father may know more. More urgently, Eidhin agrees to cede Vis before the blood test so Vis can survive, then immediately begins helping plan the deception. Vis asks Eidhin to blackmail Quintus Elevus into obtaining a Governance Will seal that will get Eidhin into the compound for the exchange, and then asks a second favor from the same man: access to a blacksmith. The chapter ends with Vis looking at his empty sleeve and quietly revealing this new need.