Bryce attends ballet class with Juniper because she needs a quiet morning and a way to work through everything she has recently learned, especially the horrifying truth about the Dead Gate and the afterlife. During a break, Juniper sees that Korinne Lescau has been promoted to principal, even though the company had claimed it would not promote anyone this year. Juniper and Bryce both understand the decision as retaliation for Juniper publicly challenging the elitism of the Crescent City Ballet, but Juniper insists she will stay until they are forced to promote her.

Back in class, Juniper channels her anger into perfect technique, flawlessly demonstrating thirty-two fouettés when Madame Kyrah asks. After class, Bryce asks Kyrah if anything can be done, but Kyrah bluntly says Juniper is fighting an entrenched leadership that punishes anyone who exposes it. Kyrah believes Juniper chose to challenge the system and now has to bear the consequences. Left alone and angry at that injustice, Bryce decides not to stay passive and calls Director Gorgyn, invoking her status as Princess Bryce Danaan to get through.

Elsewhere, Hunt is summoned from training by the Harpy to see Celestina. He initially fears something worse, but Celestina is angry because Hunt abandoned her private celebration the night before to help Bryce. Although Hunt apologizes and says the matter was personal rather than political, Celestina points out that her mate, Ephraim, saw Hunt and Baxian leaving to aid a Fae princess as an insult and a breach of loyalty. As punishment, Celestina orders Hunt to remain in the barracks for two weeks and to devote himself to helping Baxian adjust, cutting Hunt off from Bryce during a dangerous time.

Before Hunt can return to training, the Hind intercepts him and begins asking about Ruhn, Ithan, Tharion, and the unusual group that gathers at Bryce Quinlan's apartment. Hunt deflects with sarcasm, but he understands that Lidia is probing for evidence and may already suspect Bryce's circle is involved in something larger. When Baxian appears and takes over the conversation, Hunt quietly warns him to say nothing. The Hind then reminds Baxian that, whatever their personal loyalties, all of them ultimately answer to the Asteri, underscoring how closely the empire is starting to close in.