In the misty morning, Hunt shadows Bryce to Griffin Antiquities, noting her careful armor of dress and demeanor. They trade quips about work, family, and the Old Square Gate, with Hunt briefly revealing Sandriel’s cruelty and Bryce offering quiet support. Their rapport softens as they head into the hidden library beneath the gallery.

Inside, with Lehabah nearby, Hunt searches texts on the kristallos while Bryce pivots to the gallery’s art database to find ancient depictions. Ruhn arrives, sparring verbally with Hunt before browsing the shelves. A sentient book draws Ruhn to a Fae romance, moments before Declan’s email arrives. The coordinates map Danika’s routine and show she was stationed at Luna’s Temple for two days before—and during the blackout of—the Horn theft. Bryce considers that Danika might have carried the Horn’s scent, drawing the demon.

Ruhn’s book yields crucial lore: Queen Theia and her Starborn daughters could channel sacred objects; the Horn functioned only when filled with Starborn starlight. The Prince of the Pit allegedly used Pelias’s blood to craft the kristallos to track the Horn. The text also claims the Horn was permanently broken, reparable only by a paradoxical “light not light; magic not magic.” They infer the current summoner-killer and the original Horn thief are likely different actors and speculate on the Autumn King’s motives.

When Hunt suggests divination, Bryce refuses the Oracle, as does Ruhn; Hunt agrees to go alone. After a call pulls Hunt upstairs, Ruhn reassures Bryce about her power before leaving for an Aux meeting. Hunt emails Bryce a brusque countdown to meet at the Comitium, and Bryce changes, promising Lehabah she’ll return.