Emile tells Bryce and Hunt that Danika sought out Sofie because Danika could sense Sofie’s gift and needed her to do something Danika herself could not do without being recognized. Because Sofie was human, or could pass as one, she would be overlooked where Danika would not. Emile cannot explain the coded numbers found on Sofie’s body, but Bryce concludes that Sofie eventually found something important enough that the Hind killed her rather than risk the truth spreading.

When Hunt worries that Emile cannot safely stay with the Viper Queen or travel with them, Bryce reveals that she already has a plan and calls Fury Axtar. Outside the Meat Market, Hunt suspects the Viper Queen already knows Emile has no thunderbird power and is keeping quiet to collect a favor from Bryce later. Fury arrives to drive Emile away, and Bryce finally reveals that his destination is her parents’ home in Nidaros, where forged papers and adoption documents will make him part of the Quinlan-Silago family under a new identity.

Hunt is deeply moved when he realizes Bryce has not merely hidden Emile but found him a real home and family. He silently apologizes, but Bryce stays angry that Hunt acted as if she needed his permission. Their argument shifts from Emile to control and trust, and they part still upset, with Hunt following Bryce from above until she reaches a safer part of the city.

Later, Bryce goes to Ruhn’s house after his urgent summons and finds a half-dressed female dragon, Ariadne, and three fire sprites that Ithan stole from the Astronomer’s rings. Ruhn explains that Ithan went back after learning the female mystic is a wolf and because he still wants answers about Connor. When Bryce asks the sprites about Lehabah, they confirm that a fire sprite would not lie about descending from Queen Ranthia Drahl, and they honor Bryce as an ally of their people after hearing how Lehabah died saving her.

Declan says Marc is trying to keep the Astronomer from pressing charges, either by arranging payment or by having Bryce and Ruhn commandeer the freed captives for royal service. Bryce agrees to help, especially after Ariadne reveals she was a gift from an Archangel and Bryce says Hunt’s own enslavement means she cannot ignore slavery anymore. The group also learns that Bryce and Hunt are officially mates, the sprites urge Bryce to seek their queen Irithys as a possible ally, and Bryce calls Jesiba to pressure the Astronomer. At the archives, Jesiba sends Bryce ancient research showing that dragon fire is one of the few things that can harm the Princes of Hel, so Bryce realizes Ariadne is both a target and a weapon and decides she cannot be returned to the Astronomer.