Celaena catches Nox in midair during the wall-climbing Test, and Nox grabs the rope before both of them hit the ground. The rope saves them but slams them into the wall, leaving Celaena battered and shaken. As the crowd cheers the rescue, Cain reaches the top first and claims the flag, winning the Test.

Celaena realizes that saving Nox has cost Celaena the victory. Other Champions quickly finish ahead of Celaena and Nox, and Brullo urges them to continue. Though hurt and angry, Celaena climbs on and finishes eighteenth; Nox places behind Celaena, and Ned Clement's earlier death prevents Nox from being eliminated.

Afterward, Chaol tries to reassure Celaena that eighteenth place fits their plan to keep Celaena from drawing attention, but Celaena is furious about losing. Celaena also remains disturbed by Ned Clement's fatal fall and by the fact that Grave is not punished for playing dirty. Chaol's disapproval of Celaena's rescue leads into a tense but revealing conversation about Arobynn Hamel, who trained Celaena and forced Celaena to repay the enormous cost of her upbringing and instruction.

Celaena deflects Chaol's sympathy by demanding an apology for how Chaol treated Celaena during the previous day's sparring with Nehemia. Their argument turns playful, and both briefly relax into teasing insults, showing that their relationship is softening despite their hostility. Later, Philippa brings grim news: the Champion who missed the Test has been found dead in a servant's stairwell, brutally mauled and dismembered.

Over the next two weeks, the murder darkens the competition, but no additional Champions are killed. Celaena passes the stealth and tracking Tests while keeping a low profile, continues improving her running, avoids reacting to Cain's taunts, and sees Dorian only at Tests. With nine weeks left and the final four positions becoming uncertain, Celaena begins to doubt whether Celaena is guaranteed a place in the final duel.