Hunt sits in a white holding cell beneath the Comitium, watching on a screen as Justinian slowly dies on the iron crucifix and Viktoria's essence, trapped in a blood-soaked glass box, is forced to witness. Isaiah arrives and demands to know why Hunt did it. Hunt explains that he, Viktoria, and Justinian had been planning since he killed the three drug lords and learned about synth—they intended to acquire synth from the Viper Queen, use it to kill Micah and the other Archangels at the Summit, and then travel to the Eternal City to finish what began at Mount Hermon. However, after seeing what synth truly did and after his weeks with Bryce, Hunt tried to stop the plan. Justinian and Viktoria refused to quit, and by the time the gold was paid, Hunt just wanted them to go their separate ways. Isaiah tells Hunt that Micah knows he tried to stop the deal, which is why Justinian and Viktoria are in the lobby and Hunt is merely in a cell. Micah has not yet declared Hunt's punishment. Isaiah says goodbye in case they cannot speak again, and Hunt asks Isaiah to tell Bryce he's sorry, admitting that her shattered expression haunts him more than anything.

Three days later, Bryce is at the gallery, trying to work while Lehabah watches news coverage of the Comitium atrocity. There has been no public mention of Hunt—no word on whether he is alive or dead. A medwitch sends an antidote for kristallos venom, which Bryce locks in Jesiba's office safe alongside the golden bullet for the Godslayer Rifle. Bryce refuses to discuss Hunt or the situation, snapping at Lehabah when pressed.

The Autumn King unexpectedly visits the gallery—the first time he has ever come to see Bryce. He tells her that Ruhn informed him of the events on the river, and that he has secured assurances from Micah that Bryce will not be harmed. He warns that her safety could have been used as leverage against Hunt. Bryce, bitter and guarded, refuses to discuss Hunt or their relationship. She reveals she has been lying to her mother and Randall about Hunt's involvement, unable to face her own blindness in trusting him.

The Autumn King pivots to asking about the Horn, urging Bryce to continue searching for it even though she believes Danika lost it during a synth-fueled episode. He argues the artifact still holds value to the Fae. Bryce dismisses the matter but doesn't refuse outright. Before leaving, the Autumn King shares that he loved Bryce's mother deeply and had prepared paperwork to make her his queen, but acknowledges nothing can erase the scar he left on her face. His parting words warn Bryce that she is more like him than she realizes—and that this is not a good thing. Left alone, Bryce searches for news about Hunt and finds nothing, as though he never existed.