At the Black Dock, Bryce, Hunt, and Cormac regroup after the Reaper attack. Bryce questions Cormac about how he saved them, and Cormac openly demonstrates that he can teleport with precision. He explains that he believes the ability was once a Starborn gift, admits that this is why he thought he might be worthy of the Starsword, and agrees to try teaching Bryce in case she shares the power.

Once Bryce understands what Cormac can do, she shifts to strategy. She says they cannot simply accept the Reapers' claim that a Prince of Hel sent them, especially because Apollion has already been warning Bryce that war is coming and that she needs to grow stronger. Bryce schedules training with Cormac for the next night, then calls Jesiba to obtain Death Marks so she and Hunt can enter the Bone Quarter and question the Under-King about the Reapers and possibly Emile. During the call, Jesiba also pointedly suggests that Bryce should start asking why Danika was always interested in the gallery, leaving Bryce rattled.

Later that night in Bryce's apartment, Ruhn, Declan, and Ithan help investigate. Declan and Ithan work simultaneously on two searches: Black Dock footage for signs of Reapers or Emile, and years of gallery footage involving Danika. Ruhn quietly checks on Bryce, and Bryce admits that each new revelation about Danika makes her feel as if she never truly knew her friend. Even so, Bryce keeps pushing because Jesiba's hint suggests Danika may have been investigating the gallery's forbidden books in secret.

The surveillance results give Bryce's group useful leads but no final answers. Ithan and Declan find no sign that Emile came through the Black Dock, and they find no Reapers arriving there on the day of the attack. They do find two Reapers arriving by boat the previous morning, but Bryce says those are not the ones who attacked. Then they isolate the specific Reaper Bryce recognizes, and the footage seems to show it appearing from within the city near an uncovered sewer entrance, leading the group to conclude the attackers likely used camera gaps and sewer routes to stay hidden. That strengthens Bryce's plan to confront the Under-King carefully and with evidence instead of accusations.

As the investigation continues, the mood briefly lightens with sunball banter, but the chapter keeps building character tensions. Ithan shares what he learned with Tharion about Pippa Spetsos torturing a selkie while hunting for Emile, which makes the Bone Quarter seem almost safer by comparison. Ruhn notices Bryce growing overwhelmed by the Danika footage, and Bryce leaves for the gym rather than keep watching it. Hunt quickly chooses to follow Bryce, and after he leaves, Ithan remarks that Connor would have chosen the game, while Ithan himself would have chosen Bryce.