The escaped male guvre attacks Briar's Peak from the sky, spraying venomous breath that dissolves flesh and structures. The Villain shields Evie as they dodge the creature's attacks, but the bridge behind them is destroyed, sending them both clinging to the remnants of the cliffside. After climbing back up, they discover a massacre—bodies rotting to the bone, survivors screaming as their skin melts away. The Villain finds the guvre's severed ankle cuff on the ground, its chain cleanly cut, confirming that someone deliberately released the beast as part of a setup tied to the trap that lured them to Briar's Peak.

Taking shelter under a fallen tree, Evie and The Villain are joined by Blade, who is bloodied but composed, and then by Becky, who startles Evie. The Villain suddenly remembers his sister Clare was at the gathering and bolts into the chaos to find her. Becky forcefully holds Evie back, telling her not to become a liability. Blade produces a leather rope scavenged from lantern cords and explains that the guvre was originally captured using a sleeping draught poured into its mouth—a resource they don't currently have.

While retreating from the guvre's continuing assault, Evie backs into a hooded figure slumped against a tree. It turns out to be Arthur Maverine, bloodied and wounded but alive. Evie tends to his injuries, tearing strips from her dress to bandage his head and wipe blood from his mouth. Arthur calls Evie brave for working for The Villain, wincing visibly at having to refer to his son by that title. He admits he has never been more afraid of anyone, but Evie recognizes his fear is not of Trystan but for him—afraid of where Trystan's dark path will lead. Evie silently vows to keep Arthur alive.

Before they can act further, Becky gasps. They are suddenly surrounded by Valiant Guards with swords drawn, and the chapter ends on a tense cliffhanger as the guards look anything but heroic.