Hunt and Bryce travel to a shooting range in Moonwood at night to meet with Ruhn Danaan and his two friends, Tristan Flynn and Declan Emmet. Hunt had expected their quarry to be at a tattoo parlor or bar, but Bryce's message led them to the sniper gallery. The three Fae males are practicing with sniper rifles as part of their Auxiliary training.

Bryce explains that she needs Declan's hacking expertise to analyze footage from Luna's Temple on the night the Horn was stolen. She wants him to examine audio, thermal imaging, and video clarity despite the blackout that occurred. Declan agrees to try his software but warns that if investigators found nothing two years ago, chances are slim. He estimates it will take a few days. Ruhn is intrigued by the possibility of a lead on the Horn.

Bryce insists that the group keep their meeting and this line of investigation secret, even from the Autumn King, who has demanded reports on Bryce and Hunt's movements. Ruhn hesitates at lying to his king, but Bryce makes it clear she wants no leaks—to Aux colleagues, the Autumn King, or anyone else. Flynn asks if the Autumn King is a suspect, and Bryce deflects, simply demanding silence.

The conversation shifts to a marksmanship challenge. Flynn bets twenty gold marks that the males can outshoot Bryce, and she picks up Ruhn's rifle. Without using the scope, she fires three shots that all pass through nearly the same hole in the heart of the distant target—a display of extraordinary precision learned from being raised by her stepfather, a legendary sharpshooter. Hunt is deeply impressed and attracted. He takes the rifle and fires a single round through the same hole, meeting her gaze the entire time. The moment between them is charged with mutual admiration and unspoken connection.

The charged moment is interrupted when Hunt's phone rings. Isaiah Tiberian calls to tell them to get to Asphodel Meadows immediately—there has been another murder.