In the House of Flame and Shadow, Ithan hovers anxiously while Hypaxia converts the morgue into a lab to begin experiments on the waterborne parasite infecting Midgard. Hypaxia sends him for sterile containers and multiple water samples, insisting on different sources to establish a baseline.

Ithan collects and labels water from the House tap, the Istros River, store-bought bottles, and additional locations—including restaurants and the sewers—then provides Hypaxia with vials of his blood as a sample from an infected host. He feels useless and resentful of the menial work but keeps helping as Hypaxia pushes the investigation forward.

Returning through the House’s dark door, Ithan encounters a veiled Reaper with acid-green eyes. The Reaper’s presence clears the street as it glides inside, scentless and unnervingly unearthly, and Ithan waits before following.

Back in the lab, Ithan asks Hypaxia what happens to the parasite when a host dies, reasoning that Reapers no longer eat or drink and therefore cannot be reinfected. Hypaxia realizes Reapers might help locate the parasite by confirming its absence in their bodies, and she bluntly decides what she needs next: Ithan must get her a Reaper.

At dawn on Avallen, a helicopter descends near Morven’s ruined castle, bringing Bryce allies and loved ones. Fury pilots with June beside her, and Syrinx races out to tackle Bryce with frantic joy. Randall arrives armed and ready alongside Emile—now living as Cooper—and Ember follows, immediately demanding answers about rumors that Bryce has been jumping between worlds.