At the Viper Queen’s Meat Market, Tharion faces a standoff as Flynn and Declan aim guns at the Hind while Marc, Holstrom, Ithan, and the newly freed Fendyr heir Sigrid tense for a fight. Tharion defuses the moment by insisting they are on neutral territory, and the Hind requests privacy; after argument, Sigrid is sent into Tharion’s room, and the sprites are ordered to wait.

Lidia reveals she came because Ruhn’s life depends on their cooperation. She confirms Ruhn Danaan, Hunt Athalar, and Baxian Argos are alive but imprisoned in the dungeons beneath the Asteri’s palace, where Pollux and “the Hawk” torture them daily; Bryce Quinlan’s status is unknown. Though Declan challenges her role as the Asteri’s interrogator, Lidia says she needs him to hack the Eternal Palace cameras so she can extract the prisoners.

The group accuses the Hind of setting a trap, but Lidia insists the prior rescue failed because Rigelus was warned and reveals Celestina betrayed them. Tharion presses for proof, and Lidia declares she is Agent Daybright; Ithan corroborates by scenting Ruhn on her, and Lidia admits she has been working to keep Ruhn alive and keep the Asteri from targeting the people close to Ruhn, Bryce, and Hunt.

Lidia sets a timeline: in three days she will attempt the breakout, and in two days at sunrise they must be at Ionia’s harbor. She gives Tharion a white summoning stone, explaining it will call the Depth Charger, which will take them to Pangera; she also demands Tharion find a way out of his debt to the Viper Queen so he can serve as an ally aboard the ship. Flynn remains furious about Lidia’s lies to Ruhn, but Declan acknowledges her story matches what they knew of Daybright.

Before leaving, Lidia questions the sprites about their missing queen, Irithys, probing whether Irithys is trustworthy; the sprites insist Irithys is honorable. Lidia reveals only that the Asteri are keeping Irithys in their palace. She departs with an urgent warning that Rigelus is actively deciding whether Ruhn or Hunt will die based on how it affects Bryce, and she begs them to be ready to act before it is too late.