Alizeh wakes late and rushes out of Baz House with a finished glittering gown due for delivery, determined to be paid despite lacking proper winter clothing. Fresh snow has buried the streets, but Alizeh forces herself into the cold, carrying the parcel carefully while the city begins to wake around her.

As Alizeh walks, the chapter reveals more about her Jinn nature and her habits of survival. Jinn enjoy food but do not need it as humans do; Alizeh spends her limited earnings on sewing supplies and baths because water and cleanliness are essential to her life. A patch of sunlight triggers memories of Alizeh's parents, who trained her in both refined learning and hard labor so she would understand compassion and the unseen shackles of her people.

While distracted by memory, Alizeh is attacked by a hungry Feshtoon-speaking boy who holds a knife to her throat and demands money and the parcel. Alizeh quickly overpowers him, breaking his wrist and dislocating his shoulder, but then returns his crude blade and tells him to come to the kitchens at Baz House if he needs bread. Alizeh explains in his language that she understands because she has been like him.

Afterward, Alizeh reflects on Iblees, whose haunting riddles have shadowed her life and have always preceded suffering. Remembering the devil's recent vision, Alizeh suddenly sees the strange human youth from that vision watching her in the street. Alizeh recognizes from his cloak and clothing that the man is immensely wealthy and realizes with alarm that she notices him only because he permits it; terrified, she flees with inhuman speed, knowing she may not be able to escape whatever darkness he brings.