Bryce and Hunt meet Tharion Ketos, a mer male and newly promoted Captain of Intelligence for the River Queen, at the Istros River docks. Tharion, an old friend of Hunt's from a previous case involving mer murders, is charming and flirtatious with Bryce. Hunt explains their investigation and warns Tharion about the kristallos demon, asking him to discreetly gather intelligence from the river folk. Tharion, visibly shaken by the mention of a demon bred by the Star-Eater, agrees to ask around covertly and consider warning the River Queen.

During their visit, Bryce and Hunt observe the river's ecosystem—scavenging crustaceans, an otter messenger in a reflective vest relaying communications between Lunathion's three realms, and a funeral boat heading toward the Bone Quarter. Bryce shares that the otters were part of why she wanted to move to Crescent City as a child, and she recalls college memories of a mer hallmate who turned her dorm into a party suite, leading to fines for their entire floor.

Back at the gallery, Hunt and Bryce discuss the case. Hunt notes that while Sabine swapping the temple footage and her suspicious behavior in the observation room are concerning, they lack concrete proof to bring to Micah. Ruhn has found no leads on locating the Horn to use as bait for the kristallos. Their conversation shifts to personal items: Bryce explains she kept Danika's leather jacket—which bears the phrase "Through love, all is possible," matching her own back tattoo—because she didn't want Sabine to throw it away. The phrase was all the Oracle ever told Danika. Hunt shares that his sunball hat was the first thing he bought with his first paycheck from Micah, symbolizing a new beginning in Lunathion.

The sexual tension between Bryce and Hunt intensifies as she teases him about a possible hidden tattoo, and both struggle to contain their attraction. Bryce internally acknowledges the many reasons a relationship with Hunt is impossible—his lost love, his enslavement to Micah, and countless other obstacles. Forcing themselves back to the case, they agree they cannot formally question Sabine without tipping her off. Bryce, filled with dread, proposes that they must instead bring their questions directly to Sabine.