At the river house, Rhys and Feyre both try to stop Nesta from going into the Bog of Oorid, warning that the place is uniquely dangerous and that Nesta is not fully trained. Nesta insists on going because only her powers can help them find the Mask. Cassian keeps the mood light, Azriel silently backs the mission, and Nesta briefly broods over Elain choosing to avoid her before Azriel shadows them into the Middle.

They arrive in Oorid and immediately feel its dead, oppressive atmosphere. The bog is silent, windless, and filled with black water, rotting earth, and dead trees. Even Azriel reacts with visible fear, which confirms for Nesta how unnatural the place is. Cassian explains that the dead were given water burials here, and the landscape makes Nesta recoil from the idea of remaining there even in death.

When Nesta asks what lives in the bog, Azriel and Cassian warn her about kelpies, ancient shape-shifting predators that lure victims into the water and devour them. Cassian tries to reassure her that such creatures may be myths, but he admits Oorid is the sort of refuge where survivors might have fled. Azriel adds the practical warning to stay out of the water, and Cassian jokes about drawing straws if the Mask is submerged, trying to ease the tension before they begin searching.

As Cassian flies over the bog with Nesta in his arms and Azriel nearby, the full horror of Oorid becomes clearer. Cassian reflects that, despite centuries of battle and travel, this is the worst place he has ever seen. He describes more of the Middle’s inhabitants to Nesta, including blood-drinking witches and lightsingers that lure the lost with beautiful faces before drowning them. He also explains that the Middle exists outside any High Lord’s rule and serves as a dumping ground for creatures whose natures are dangerous but not judged as crimes.

Nesta tries to sense the Mask while they circle over islands of grass, thorns, and mist, but at first feels nothing. Cassian promises they can search in stages if needed, though he remains deeply uneasy despite being heavily armed. When they enter a bank of cold mist in the northern section of the bog, Nesta suddenly reacts and tells Cassian that something is there. Cassian turns to signal Azriel, only to discover that Azriel is no longer beside them.