Darrow concludes the war with House Minerva by outmaneuvering House Diana. He stations Sevro and the Howlers inside the Minervan fortress to burn stores and foul wells, then surrounds the city. When Tamara refuses terms and attempts a breakout on the fifth night, Darrow’s forces capture Diana; Tamara dies, possibly from a cut saddle, with suspicion falling on Tactus.

With Minerva and Diana enslaved, Cassius declares that Darrow has earned his fifth bar and Primus. During the celebrations, Lilath of House Pluto arrives bearing two ionBlades and a pouch, delivering the Jackal’s demand for the Reaper dead or alive. Cassius refuses but keeps the pouch. Darrow sends Sevro with Cassius to finish operations against Diana and to quietly steal the pouch.

Back at Mars Castle, a feast cements Darrow’s authority; even Antonia appears compliant. Roque confides his growing affection for Lea, and Darrow offers advice. That night, Lea bursts in claiming Roque is injured; Darrow follows until he recognizes a trap and hides.

Antonia, with Vixus and Cassandra and aided by nightOptics, hunts Darrow in the mist. When Darrow refuses to reveal himself, Antonia slits Lea’s throat. MedBots leave Lea’s body, and by morning Darrow builds a cairn but finds no trace of Roque. He intercepts Cassius and Sevro returning and reports the betrayal.

Quinn organizes a full search to no avail. In the warroom, Sevro urges striking south to assassinate the Jackal, while Cassius rejects murder as dishonorable; Darrow sides with Cassius. Sevro storms out to keep searching. Antonia and her henchmen do not return, leaving Mars shaken as Darrow’s planned campaign against Ceres is overshadowed by treachery and the Jackal’s threat.