Hunt finds Baxian in the surviving castle stables, where Baxian has been forced to make beds out of hay because no locals will offer the refugees shelter. While they work, Baxian opens up about his childhood as a half-Helhound, half-angel “half-breed,” and how prejudice led to his mother being killed by Helhounds and his father being tortured to death by angels. Baxian explains how he survived by selling information, became known as “the Snake,” and was recruited by Sandriel as her spy-master, a life Baxian admits he chose and regrets.

The conversation turns to Danika’s acceptance of Baxian’s past and to Hunt’s uncertainty about the Princes of Hel’s claims regarding Hunt’s origins and power. Hunt admits Bryce’s view—that blood and biology do not define identity—is something Hunt is still learning to believe, and Hunt confesses he is not yet ready to remove his halo and embrace whatever power might be beneath it.

Before the war council, Hunt asks Baxian to serve as second-in-command if Hunt is gone. Baxian challenges Hunt’s authority but ultimately agrees, acknowledging their bond from surviving the Asteri dungeons and promising to do what is needed.

Around a private campfire grove grown by Flynn, Bryce lays out the plan: Bryce and Hunt will go to Nena to open the Northern Rift, taking Bryce’s parents along because Randall’s expertise is needed. Baxian will stay with Cooper to coordinate incoming refugees and lead in Bryce and Hunt’s stead. Ruhn, Lidia, Flynn, and Declan will return to Lunathion to find and recruit Isaiah and Naomi, while Tharion and Sathia will go to the River Queen and push the Blue Court to shelter as many people Beneath as possible; Bryce frames the scattering as the beginning of retaliation at dawn.

That night in the stables, Ruhn and Lidia speak mind-to-mind about the Asteri’s punishments: Lidia mourns the Ophion agents lost because of her, and Ruhn wrestles with the aftermath of killing the Autumn King. Lidia reveals she also killed her father—arranging a brutal staged “rebel” ambush—and admits she never heard from her mother afterward. Lidia reaffirms she will not return to the Ocean Queen as a spy, and the two share an increasingly intimate moment that is cut short when Flynn, Bryce, and Declan complain about them trying to have sex nearby.