Kai answers King Edric's summons and is reminded of the harsh role his father has prepared for him since childhood. Edric orders Kai, as the future Enforcer, to investigate reports that a family near Loot Alley is hiding an Ordinary and to "eradicate" the problem. Kai reflects on how his father shaped him into a weapon through brutal training, while his half brother Kitt was raised for rule rather than violence.

At dawn, Kai rides to Loot Alley with two Imperials, irritated that his father sent guards but aware they may be needed if a banishment is required. He questions Nathan and enters the family's cramped home, where Nathan, Layla, and their sons Marcus and Cal try to remain calm. Using his Wielder ability, Kai confirms that the four family members are all Elites, then notices five breakfast bowls and becomes suspicious.

Kai searches further, hears the floor creak under a rug, and orders the guards to uncover a trapdoor. Hidden beneath it is Abigail, a very young Ordinary girl whom Nathan and Layla took in three years earlier after finding her on the streets. Layla explains that they wanted a daughter and raised Abigail as their own. Bound by the king's law, Kai declares that Abigail must be executed and the rest of the family banished for harboring her.

Nathan attacks Kai in desperation, but Kai defeats him in a brutal hand-to-hand fight and forces the family into submission. He orders the Imperials to take the tied family through side streets to the Scorches while he takes Abigail away to carry out the execution. In private, Abigail reveals that she knows a quick death would be a knife to the heart. Kai draws his dagger, frightens her, then cuts her bindings instead and tells her to stay quiet.

Kai waits until the Imperials abandon their post, then uses a borrowed Flash ability to carry Abigail into the desert and catch up with her family. He frees them all, returns Abigail to Layla and Nathan, and admits only that he does not kill children, even though he knows banishment may still mean death. Before sending them on, Kai gives Abigail a small engraved pocketknife, formally pronounces the family banished, and watches them walk deeper into the Scorches together.