The party crowds onto a small lift platform that groans upward through the spire. Jaya panics, nearly toppling them, but Eris restrains her and Leah steadies Charlie. After a jolt, the lift reaches a narrow landing, and they spill off just before it descends, leaving them stranded high above the floor.

They edge along a catwalk to a low door and enter a tight spiral stair within a glass-and-stone tower where black tendrils stir behind the glass. Charlie warns against touching the glass and persuades Leah to divert to an electrified suite he remembers—the one with a blue velvet sofa and unicorn-tiled table—believing the Lord High is there. Leah reluctantly agrees.

Mid-descent, the Snab appears and perches on Radar. Jaya senses its goodwill. They reach the Lord High’s chambers; Iota leads, ramming the door and exposing Jeff, the scarred guard lurking behind it with a knife. Jeff begs mercy by recalling favors to Leah, but Leah answers by driving her dagger into his eye, killing him.

In the dim gaslight, Kellin lies on a canopied bed, shrouded in a blue aura. At the Snab’s chirring summons, a flood of giant rats pours in. Many fry on contact with Kellin’s power, but the swarm keeps coming, tearing him apart; a burst of force flings burning rats across the room, and when the Snab calls them back, only Kellin’s disassembled skeleton remains.

Iota collapses, foaming at the mouth: Jeff’s blade was poisoned. Charlie, Leah, and Eris carry him to the blue sofa. Iota apologizes, names the poison, and dies after asking Leah to do her duty. Leah closes his eyes and kisses his cheek. At the doorway she clutches her throat, and in Iota’s voice vows, “The Queen of Empis will do her duty.”