Unable to sleep, Celaena studies a book of Wyrdmarks while Fleetfoot dozes in her lap. Celaena is troubled by Nehemia’s secrecy about the marks and her language skills, but Celaena tries to convince herself that Nehemia is still trustworthy.

Celaena finds the exact symbols that appeared near the murdered Champions. The margin explains that the marks are used for sacrifices to a ridderak: the victim’s blood marks the area, the creature is summoned, and the beast grants the summoner the victim’s strength in exchange for flesh.

The discovery leads Celaena to realize that someone may be using Wyrdmarks to open a Wyrdgate, even though magic is supposedly gone. Because Wyrdmarks may exist outside ordinary magic, Celaena fears the impossible is happening. Celaena’s suspicion turns again toward Nehemia, especially as Celaena considers Nehemia’s love for Eyllwe and the possibility that Nehemia might be pursuing open rebellion against Adarlan.

Celaena then connects the murders to the hidden tunnels beneath the castle. Since the Champions have been killed near Tests and marks were painted under Celaena’s bed, Celaena decides not to wait for another attack. Celaena shuts Fleetfoot out, opens the hidden passage behind the tapestry, and enters with only a candlestick and a makeshift knife.

In the tunnels, Celaena descends past the crossroads and follows the passage toward Elena’s tomb, noticing that the old dust has been disturbed by footprints. Celaena believes Nehemia and the creature may have been using the passages, but as Celaena approaches a green-lit chamber, Celaena hears a man chanting in a harsh, unfamiliar language.

Celaena sets down the candle, creeps closer, and peers into the chamber. Instead of Nehemia, Celaena sees Cain kneeling before an unnatural darkness behind an opened, locked door, revealing that Cain is connected to the summoning and the murders.