Unable to sleep on the night before another Test, Celaena notices the tapestry in her room moving despite the closed window. Investigating the wall behind it, she discovers a hidden stone door and prepares carefully before entering, taking yarn, chalk, candles, a makeshift knife, and propping the door open so she will not be trapped.

Celaena descends through old, dusty passages and chooses the middle of three portals. The path leads downward into damp tunnels and finally to a sewer outlet beneath or behind the castle, complete with old boats, an unlocked route to the outside, and a raised iron barrier. Realizing she could escape immediately, Celaena briefly feels the temptation of proving no one can cage Adarlan’s Assassin.

Celaena stops herself because escape would bring consequences: the king might find her, Chaol would be disgraced, and Nehemia would be left alone at court. Celaena decides she will not flee like a common criminal but will win her freedom through the competition, while remembering the passage as a possible future escape route.

On the way back, Celaena avoids the far-right portal when a strange breeze and whispers in forgotten languages seem to call to her, especially ominous on Samhuinn. Instead, she takes the left portal, which leads to a hidden grate overlooking the Great Hall feast. From above, Celaena sees Chaol laughing, Nox and other Champions attending, and Dorian dancing; angered that she was excluded, she also admits to herself that she still wants to kiss Dorian.

When Celaena sees Chaol leave the feast, she races back through the passages, fearing he will discover her absence and the secret route. Later, Dorian drunkenly enters Celaena’s rooms and watches her sleeping, reflecting on his comfort with her and his uncertain feelings. Chaol catches Dorian there, angrily throws him out, then checks on Celaena himself and gives her a silver ring with an amethyst from the feast before covering her with a blanket and leaving, troubled by his own reaction.