Bryce takes hours to stop shaking after witnessing Nesta under the death-mask’s influence. She apologizes to Nesta and Azriel for luring the Wyrm and endangering them, but both remain cold. When Bryce asks why they do not simply kill her, Azriel admits they want to see what is worth the effort someone took to try to murder them, and Nesta implies they are watching Bryce to learn what she is truly after.

Bryce suggests they abandon her, but Nesta points to the star on Bryce’s chest and reveals Rhysand orchestrated their pursuit. Nesta explains that Rhysand predicted Bryce would crawl through the grate, sent Nesta and Azriel after her, and had them ensure Bryce believed there was only one way forward. Nesta confirms Azriel caused the cave-in as part of the test, and when Bryce presses why they care, Nesta admits she has seen Bryce’s star before—somewhere “no place good.”

After a tense rest and more silent travel, the tunnel’s carvings continue to depict ancient Fae life and thriving cities. Nesta stops abruptly, and Azriel confirms there is a problem ahead: a chasm cuts the path in two, and Bryce’s starlight shines in a straight ray across the gap, underscoring that their route is blocked.

The POV shifts to Ruhn, who is exhausted and sick but enters a familiar mental bridge to speak with Lidia. Ruhn relays urgent intel: Bryce intended to reach Hel for help, but Hunt was visited by Apollion, who confirmed Bryce is not with him or his brothers. Ruhn warns that any hope of Bryce returning with Hel’s armies is unlikely, and Lidia agrees to pass the warning along, though she is clearly worried about Bryce’s fate.

Lidia insists Bryce is not dead, arguing that Rigelus has a thousand mystics searching for her and would not expend that effort if Bryce were dead or safely in Hel. She concludes Rigelus must suspect Bryce is somewhere that matters enough to frighten him, even if Lidia does not know his plan. When Lidia says she is doing what she can to help, Ruhn’s anger over her past as the Hind boils over; he tells Lidia she is dead to him and ends the contact.