Bryce ignores a morning message from her mother urging a medwitch appointment and instead drags Hunt to question vendors at the Meat Market during daytime. As they weave through stalls, Bryce and Hunt spar about boundaries and protectiveness, while also showing growing closeness. Hunt quietly buys Bryce a white opal “for joy,” which she keeps.

Hunt reflects on how a small gift would have meant little to Shahar, underscoring how different Bryce is. The investigation stalls until Bryce approaches a teenage feline-shifter vendor with coded questions about drugs.

The teen exposes their approach via a market-wide group chat and relays a message from the Vipe: synth is nasty, not sold here, and they should “check the river.” The tip redirects their search away from the Meat Market.

Having already summoned Tharion, Bryce confronts him at the docks despite Hunt’s warning about accusing the mer. Tharion clarifies the trade is on the river, not in it, and delivers a bombshell: intel received the day before the murders placed Danika Fendyr dealing synth by boat nearby. The revelation detonates Bryce’s assumptions and raises the stakes of the investigation.