Ruhn and Ithan sit in a quiet FiRo bar after Cormac teleports them away from Mordoc. Ruhn is rattled by the revelation that Mordoc is Danika’s father and by the danger that Mordoc now knows both his and Ithan’s scents. Because Cormac brought them to the bar to create video proof that they were elsewhere, Ruhn loudly invents a reason for the meeting and offers Ithan a place to live with him, Declan, and Flynn. Ithan plays along, surprised but receptive, until both males realize they are no longer alone.

The Hind and the Harpy arrive and take seats beside them, immediately turning the staged alibi into a trap. The Hind coolly says she wants to play cards, making clear that Ruhn and Ithan have been found despite Cormac’s precautions. Their appearance raises the stakes for Ruhn’s rebel ties and for anything Mordoc may already suspect.

Elsewhere in the Bone Quarter, Hunt fights the Under-King’s demonic hounds, creatures described as Hel-bred enforcers used to feed souls into the Gate. Hunt briefly restrains two split forms of the beast with lightning, but the creatures merge, break his hold, and race off when Bryce screams in the distance. Hunt realizes Bryce is in greater danger and turns toward her.

Bryce is trapped near the Dead Gate by the Shepherd, three hounds, and a ring of Reapers. As the Reapers chant, the Dead Gate begins to glow, and Bryce realizes it may drain her magic and soul rather than help her, so she refuses to risk using it. Believing Hunt may already be down, Bryce makes a desperate run for the Starsword, slides under the charging hounds, and is badly slashed across the back, but she still forces herself upright with the blade in hand.

Driven by fear for his mate, Hunt arrives beside Bryce in a terrifying blaze of power, transformed into a living storm. As he prepares to blast the Shepherd, Bryce suddenly jumps in front of his lightning with the Starsword extended, acting on a half-formed theory. Hunt’s power strikes the blade, and the chapter ends with the world exploding from the impact.