Dacre’s ultimatum throws Oath into panic. From the Attwoods’ house, Iris watches families flee in all directions and feels echoes of Avalon Bluff. Forest prepares to find Sarah, and Iris discovers that the Gazette did print her hidden list of ley-line shelters. She gives Forest the paper so he can seek one of those places if needed, while Attie gives Iris wax for her ears so Attie’s violin won’t put her to sleep in the under realm.

Iris then travels with the Attwoods through jammed streets toward the McNeils’ house, but the house is empty and locked. Because Tobias and Forest were supposed to meet them there, Attie leaves a note on the door redirecting them to the museum. When the group finally reaches the museum, however, it is already packed with people seeking magical shelter after reading the Gazette, so they must keep moving.

The family takes refuge instead at Gould’s café, another enchanted place. Inside, Iris sees ordinary acts of courage as workers serve tea and begin boarding up the windows while the city braces for impact. Walking the café, Iris realizes the lavatory door is a threshold into the under realm, likely because of its connection to past magic. Attie goes back toward the museum to redirect Tobias and Forest, while Iris waits anxiously and gathers food she can use to mark a trail below.

As noon approaches, Attie returns with Tobias and his parents, but Forest and Sarah never arrive, leaving Iris to hope they found shelter elsewhere. The first bombs begin to fall, shaking the café. Iris explains that she will open the under-realm door and lock it behind them so Dacre’s forces cannot use it. After an emotional farewell between Attie, Tobias, and her father, Iris unlocks the lavatory door with the iron key, reveals the stairway into the under realm, and descends with Attie, sealing the door behind them as they begin their most dangerous step yet.