Kai spends hours torturing the captured Silencer in the castle dungeons but learns nothing. The interrogation is only possible because the prisoner is confined in a Mute cell and watched by Damion, a stronger royal Silencer who can suppress the captive's power. As Kai works, he keeps replaying the attack on himself and thinks about Paedyn, the girl who intervened; he is both skeptical of her claim to be a Psychic and deeply intrigued by her skill, anger, and willingness to help him.

After leaving the dungeon, Kai reports to King Edric in the king's study, where Kitt is already waiting. Kai admits that the prisoner has revealed nothing, and Edric responds with frustration rather than sympathy. Edric insists the attack must be connected to the Resistance, argues that Ordinaries threaten the survival of the Elite race, and orders Kai to make the Silencer talk or kill him if he remains useless. This gives Kai a harsher mission and reinforces the king's fear that the Resistance is still active.

Later, Kai trains with Kitt in the courtyard, but Kai cannot focus. Kitt notices Kai's distraction and teases him about the girl who saved his life, and Kai tries to brush off Paedyn by claiming he will never see her again. Their banter is interrupted when Jax arrives, and Kai and Kitt briefly fall into their familiar, affectionate dynamic with the younger boy.

Blair and Sadie then approach to congratulate the brothers on making the Purging Trials, which leads to a surprise reveal: Jax has also been chosen. Kai and Kitt hide their alarm because Jax is excited, and Blair further reveals that she and Sadie will compete as well. When Sadie shows them the contestant list, Kitt notes that several names are unfamiliar, but Kai's attention fixes on one name at the bottom: Paedyn's. The chapter ends with Kai realizing that, contrary to what he thought moments earlier, he will see her again in the Trials.