The chapter opens with an excerpt from Major Afendra’s Guide to the Riders Quadrant, describing a phenomenon known as "burnout effect," where a successful squad suddenly collapses.
The protagonist, Violet, is taken aback to see Dain, shocked at her injuries and calling her by name.
Violet communicates with Xaden, indicating there's a problematic situation afoot and reinforcing mental shields with Tairn's help.
Sawyer is confused by Dain's presence, but Ridoc expresses hope that Dain is there to advocate for Violet.
Dain challenges the legality of an interrogation given Violet's injuries, but Varrish, an authority figure, insists on proceeding.
There's a tension-filled exchange where Varrish suggests Dain use a classified ability called a "signet" on Violet to extract secrets, hinting at a bond between them.
Varrish insinuates that Violet knows more than she's let on about an incident involving two marked individuals killed by gryphons.
Violet and Dain have a history which makes him familiar yet strange to her.
Under pressure from Varrish to use his signet for interrogation, Dain ultimately refuses and exits the room, dismissing the idea of interrogating an injured cadet.
Violet is physically assaulted by Varrish, leading her to pass out from pain.
When Violet comes to, she's being healed by Nolon, who informs her the interrogation has been extended and he's been ordered to remain nearby.
Violet is adamant about keeping certain information secret, even when Nolon questions whether it's worth the torment.
Nolon, who seems concerned, stages a conversation with Varrish to draw him away and deliberately leaves the chamber window unlocked.
Rhiannon acknowledges the risk to Violet's life, and there's a shared urgency to escape.
Ridoc, Sawyer, and Rhiannon all spring into action to help Violet escape, with Sawyer using some sort of heat-based ability to melt the door hinges.
The group retrieves their weapons and makes their way to the main door, which is similarly locked and resistant to simple magical unlocking.
Violet experiences a strange sensation from one of her knives which somehow unlocks the door, although she can't comprehend how it's possible.
Rhiannon urges the group to escape quickly without pondering the inexplicable lock-opening further.