Hunt and Bryce walk through the Comitium lobby toward the 33rd Legion's barracks elevator. Bryce, dressed casually but strikingly, draws attention from legionaries in the lobby, flirting with one who stares at her. Hunt is annoyed but notes the legionaries' and workers' fearful avoidance of him—everyone knows his reputation as the Shadow of Death. They stop first at a phone store to replace Bryce's phone lost during the club attack, where Bryce discovers Hunt has only thirty-six photos on his four-year-old phone, all of dismembered bodies from crime scenes. She takes a selfie on his phone, calling him a weirdo for never photographing anything from daily life.

In Hunt's small, sparse barracks room, the two share personal revelations. Hunt explains he was born a bastard with no money or bloodline, and briefly alludes to his relationship with Shahar, saying it "didn't end well." He reveals he made the Drop at twenty-eight after his mother died, but the slave tattoos rendered his power irrelevant to his status. When Bryce asks if he regrets the angels' rebellion, Hunt says he doesn't know—but silently signals he would never discuss it openly in the Comitium. He explains he doesn't decorate because Micah could trade him at any time, and that if Micah died, ownership of all his slaves would pass to a successor or be divided among other Archangels, none of whom would honor his freedom bargain.

Bryce asks Hunt what he would do with freedom, and inquires about his unique lightning power, wondering why Isaiah commands the 33rd instead of him. Hunt admits he angers too many people and doesn't care. Bryce notes they share that trait. As Hunt packs weapons and clothes into a duffel, Isaiah calls to say their request to visit Philip Briggs has been approved but will take a few days, and that the Oracle has scheduled Hunt for a visit first thing tomorrow.

As they ride the elevator back down, Bryce reflects on never having known malakim personally and recalls fun memories of her and Danika spying on sweaty shirtless legionaries during summer lunches. When they reach the lobby, they find it packed with legionaries and workers all craning toward the front doors. Hunt goes rigid. Isaiah rushes from another elevator, alarmed. A massive ripple of power forces everyone in the lobby to their knees—revealing an Archangel standing at the glass doors with Micah at her side.