Tharion reveals that Danika was seen on an Auxiliary boat at night with a crate of synth shortly before it appeared on the streets, though he can't confirm if she was buying, selling, or confiscating it. Bryce insists Danika must have been confiscating it, pointing out this would explain the traces found on her clothes. Tharion explains that synth is synthetic magic—originally a healing aid that, in concentrated doses, gives humans strength surpassing most Vanir for short bursts. He notes that people have tried to create it for centuries but modern science finally made it possible. Hunt and Bryce are left to speculate whether the synth creator and the person hunting the Horn could be the same individual, since synth might be able to repair the Horn.

After Hunt leaves for the gym, Bryce calls Fury Axtar, who surprisingly answers. Fury confirms the Raven bombing was carried out by the human rebellion and that she handled the perpetrators. When Bryce asks about synth, Fury reveals Danika had mentioned it to her before dying. Fury explains that Danika deliberately kept Bryce in the dark because synth gives humans temporary Vanir-like powers, and Danika feared Bryce—who has negligible magic—might be tempted to try it. Fury warns that synth is extremely dangerous, especially in mass-produced stronger concentrations, and tells Bryce to stay far away from it. Bryce is hurt by the implication and by Fury's two years of near-silence. Fury mentions she'll return to Lunathion soon for a Summit of Valbaran leaders.

Bryce then calls her half-brother Ruhn and researches synth online. She finds small articles about its use in human healing and a ten-year-old patent filing from Redner Industries. Ruhn shares that the medwitch who analyzed the synth is also testing kristallos venom against it to formulate an antidote, using her healing magic as a stabilizer, but needs more venom. Bryce theorizes that the synth formula and a shipment leaked from Redner Industries two years ago, that Danika was sent to track it down, realized someone wanted to use synth to repair the Horn, stole the Horn first, and was killed for it. Ruhn can't explain why Danika would have kept this secret rather than busting the culprit.

The conversation turns personal as Ruhn shares a story about Danika nearly beating him up in Redner Tower's lobby. He had asked Danika to pass along an apology to Bryce, but Danika told him to go fuck himself. Bryce is surprised Danika never mentioned the encounter, adding to a growing sense that Danika kept many things from her. Despite these unsettling revelations, Bryce remains determined to uncover the full truth.