After several less-awful days at Mistward, Rowan takes Celaena to a nearby commune of healers, a place Celaena had once wanted to visit as a child. The visit is peaceful but brief, and Celaena wonders whether Rowan meant it as kindness or as a reminder of the life Celaena did not choose. The next dawn, Rowan brings Celaena west again and reveals that another drained demi-Fae body has been found; Rowan wants Celaena's help questioning mortals in a nearby town.

Rowan pushes Celaena to shift on command by using anger rather than calm, arguing that anger has been the common element in Celaena's previous shifts. Celaena accepts the method, commands the change, and shifts into Celaena's Fae form. Rowan provokes Celaena into a chase through the forest, and Celaena discovers the speed, instincts, and freedom of Celaena's immortal body while Rowan runs beside Celaena in something like play.

After twenty miles, Celaena realizes Celaena's fire has remained quiet and controlled during the run. Celaena briefly thinks of Nehemia and recognizes that speed would not have saved Nehemia, whose death was deliberately arranged to force Celaena into action. Rowan and Celaena enter the mortal town, but the villagers are frightened of Fae visitors and refuse to offer useful information.

As Rowan and Celaena continue questioning people, Rowan explains that some Fae have earned a reputation for taking what they want in mortal lands, and Rowan enforces Maeve's laws against such rogues. Celaena then decides to spend money in the shops instead of accepting the villagers' fear. By buying sweets, books, food, and other goods, Celaena charms the townspeople enough to loosen their hostility, though the investigation yields almost nothing beyond a crab-monger mentioning small knives found in his nets.

That night in the forest, Celaena dreams of Celaena's childhood in Terrasen. In the memory, Celaena is eight years old, called Fireheart by Celaena's mother, and overhears Rhoe and Evalin arguing after Celaena accidentally burned books in the library. Evalin fears Maeve and others will hunt Celaena for Celaena's power, while Rhoe insists Celaena needs training and friends; Aedion, Celaena's only childhood friend, is secretly with Celaena and fiercely loyal.

Celaena wakes shaken by the memory of Celaena's parents and Aedion. Rowan instructs Celaena to light a small fire without pointing, telling Celaena to treat the magic like a knife and stay in control. Celaena begins well, but the memory leaves Celaena emotionally heavy, and Celaena's power surges outward, incinerating the surrounding area before Rowan clears the flames with wind. Rowan notes that at least Celaena did not panic-shift back, but Celaena understands that controlling fire may be a greater challenge than shifting.