At the opera during intermission, Rune Winters scans the crowded foyer for Blood Guard uniforms, furious at the idea that Captain Gideon Sharpe may have been among those who stripped and searched Seraphine Oakes. Gideon is not immediately visible, but Rune keeps moving through the well-connected crowd, smiling and making small talk while listening for scraps of information.

Alex Sharpe suddenly grabs Rune’s wrist and pulls Rune into a shadowed alcove. Rune tells Alex that Gideon got to Seraphine before Rune could, and as voices pass nearby, Rune draws Alex deeper into hiding to avoid being overheard. In the tight space, Alex quietly worries over Rune’s safety and asks who is protecting Rune when Rune is always protecting others.

When the intermission bells chime and the foyer begins to empty, Rune remains focused on her goal: learn where Seraphine is being held before Seraphine is transferred to the palace prison, where Rune believes rescue will be impossible and Seraphine will be killed like Nan. Rune asks if Gideon is present, and Alex warns Rune that Gideon is a particular danger to Rune.

Rune insists she has no choice, because Alex refuses to manipulate his brother. Rune reflects on Alex’s divided loyalties and on the past: Alex’s devotion to Gideon, Alex’s involvement in killing the Sister Queen Cressida Roseblood “for Gideon,” and Rune’s early disillusionment with Gideon after an insulting first meeting in their youth.

Determined to act, Rune proposes using blood magic to cast an illusion so Gideon will not recognize Rune, though Rune notes her blood supply is limited. Alex argues that Gideon will sense the magic anyway, but Rune plans to lure Gideon to an after-party and question him while keeping him pliant with enchanted wine. Frustrated, Rune turns away as Alex admits he is tired of watching Rune walk into danger; Rune tells Alex not to watch, steps out of the alcove—and runs straight into a Blood Guard uniform.