To avoid further surveillance and reporters, Linus moves Arthur to a plainer hotel across town. From a courtesy phone, Linus calls Zoe on Marsyas and hears the household in chaos: Zoe is furious about the hearing, Lucy keeps misunderstanding murderous “figures of speech,” and the other children have picked up new insults and anxieties. Arthur and Linus briefly reassure them, promising fuller explanations when they return home.

That night, Linus and Arthur finally talk about David now that Rowder has spoken his name publicly. Arthur insists David cannot remain where he is and says they may need to hide him when the new inspector comes; Linus worries about putting David in danger but listens as Arthur admits he once secretly helped relocate many unregistered magical people during government sweeps. Arthur explains he stopped because exhaustion and loneliness made mistakes more likely, and he returned to Marsyas hoping to build something lasting. Linus reframes Arthur’s constant worry as love, telling Arthur it makes him a father.

Linus then reveals a small box containing a ring set with cerulean-blue stones and proposes to Arthur, choosing him despite the day’s public hostility. Arthur recognizes Talia’s earlier “custom” with a grass tie as part of the plan, accepts, and they celebrate the engagement together.

The next morning, Arthur and Linus go to 349 Chesterhill Lane to meet Jason, who is initially suspicious and protective of his partner Byron (they/them) and the unregistered adults in the house. Jason confirms Helen asked them to shelter David temporarily and warns that Rowder knowing David’s name is dangerous, but he agrees to hand David over if Arthur and Linus can keep him safe. Inside, Arthur and Linus glimpse the safehouse community, including Byron using magic gently, and are cautioned away from a room occupied by a newer siren.

Jason brings them to David, a ten-year-old yeti, who dramatically stages a noir mystery performance with costumes, “blood,” and props, then collapses into shyness under applause. David admits he believed he had to perform to earn admission to Arthur’s school, and Arthur and Linus correct him: David gets to choose them, and David should interview them instead. David asks practical questions, probes whether they would ever hurt a child, and shares a failed attempt to make friends after being mocked and grabbed.

Arthur tries to build trust with humor, then shows controlled fire; David successfully mimics the same double-helix pattern with ice, revealing his own power. David confirms Arthur is the last phoenix and shares that David’s mother’s final words were “run,” hinting at past violence and flight. Late that night, the hotel phone rings: Jason calls Linus and Arthur to say David has made his decision.