After leaving the Kitt estate at dusk, Iris returns to a city gripped by fear after Dacre’s arrival and the failed assassination attempt. Oath’s streets are unnaturally empty, and Iris carries the article Dacre forced her to type: an ultimatum ordering civilians to cross to the north side of the river before noon or lose his protection when the south side is attacked.

At the print factory, Iris tries to reach Digby Lawrence, but Greta, the desk clerk, initially blocks her because late edits are not allowed. Tobias brings Helena to the factory, and Helena immediately recognizes the gravity of Dacre’s statement. When Lawrence finally reads the article, he agrees to halt production of the Inkridden Tribune so Dacre’s threat can be placed on the front page.

Iris then asks Lawrence to delay printing the Gazette as well, even though Helena has no authority over another paper. Tobias supports Iris, arguing that ordinary rules no longer matter, and Lawrence reluctantly agrees. Iris reveals that she wants to use the Gazette to help people survive by telling them where they might find shelter during the bombing.

While Helena works with Lawrence on the revised Tribune, Iris and Tobias sit in the lobby making a list of buildings and streets south of the river that may lie on ley lines. Iris worries because the underground magical paths do not match the city map exactly, and giving bad advice could endanger people. Even so, she keeps working, knowing that any accurate guidance could save lives in the neighborhoods Dacre plans to destroy.

As curfew approaches, Tobias leaves to warn Attie and her family, who also live south of the river. Iris then explains the full plan to Helena and Lawrence: the Gazette will disguise the shelter list as an advertisement on the front page, then continue inside with a note that these addresses are presumed ley-line buildings and offer the best protection. Helena praises the idea, and when Lawrence worries about Zeb Autry’s reaction, Iris coolly tells him to say the addition was “courtesy of Inkridden Iris.”