Late in the afternoon, Celaena studies the clock tower and its unmoving gargoyles, wondering what Elena meant by calling them Guardians. With Nehemia beside her, Celaena examines the twelve Wyrdmarks arranged around the tower, but Nehemia says she cannot read them and warns Celaena not to investigate them.

As the two walk, Celaena thinks about the coming winter, Yulemas, and the final duel still two months away. Celaena discusses Xavier’s murder with Nehemia, describing the smeared blood, erased Wyrdmarks, missing organs, missing brain, and flayed face. Nehemia reacts with visible unease and asks careful questions, suggesting the details matter to her.

Cain and Verin interrupt them near the tower. Cain insults Celaena and Nehemia, then privately reveals that he knows Celaena is hiding her true identity and that she survived Endovier. Celaena nearly attacks him, but Nehemia takes Celaena’s hand and leads Celaena away; Celaena restrains herself because a public fight could cost her freedom, access to Nehemia, and training privileges.

Later, Chaol and Dorian secretly watch Celaena train furiously in the practice room. Chaol observes that Celaena is strong but dangerously driven by anger, while Dorian notices Nox joining her. When Dorian learns that Celaena regularly helps Nox train, Dorian reacts jealously but ultimately allows it because Celaena needs an ally among the brutal Champions.

A few days later, Celaena researches Wyrdmarks in the library while Chaol reads nearby. She admits only part of her purpose, saying she is curious about the marks near the clock tower, and explains confusing theories about the Wyrd, Wyrdgates, other worlds, ancient civilizations, and symbols that can summon unseen gates. Celaena grows frustrated because none of the sources clearly explain the marks’ presence in the castle or at the murder scene.

Celaena finds a foul-smelling black volume called The Walking Dead, though she does not remember choosing it. Disturbed by its image of a decayed creature and by the possibility that such books survived the king’s purges, Celaena hears frightening noises in the library. Chaol finally reveals he caused one scraping sound with his dagger, and Celaena leaves in anger, taking other books but abandoning the unsettling volume.