Celaena and Rowan return at dawn to the latest murder site and follow a trace of dark blood toward the cliffs. The trail goes cold, but Celaena notices a worn, hidden descent to the beach and realizes the coastline’s caves and reef gap would allow small boats to land secretly. Connecting the dumped bodies, the nearby sea, and the concealed caves, Celaena suspects Adarlanian forces could have entered Wendlyn unnoticed.

Rowan insists they wait until night to investigate, and a storm helps conceal their return. From a cliff above the beach, they discover not just the king’s creatures but a disciplined force of mortal soldiers hidden in a camouflaged cave. Rowan shifts into hawk form and scouts the cave while Celaena waits, then leads Celaena into the woods to report what Rowan found.

Rowan reveals that roughly two hundred trained soldiers and three inhuman creatures are sheltering in a network of coastal caves under General Narrok. Narrok is also one of the skin-wearing creatures, and Rowan says the camp is protected with Wyrdmark-like wards and iron, making a magical attack impossible for them to survive. Celaena deduces that the force is positioned to move on Mistward, not past it, and Rowan concludes the murdered demi-Fae were experiments meant to test, convert, or destroy potential enemies of Adarlan.

Rowan also tells Celaena that a demi-Fae female is currently being tortured inside the cave and cannot be saved. The creatures have fed on her life and trapped her in her mind, confirming what nearly happened to Celaena in the barrows. Celaena and Rowan recognize that Wendlyn’s armies are too far away, Mistward has few battle-ready defenders, and the local people have little protection.

As Celaena and Rowan retreat through the woods, they smell one of the creatures approaching. Rowan orders a silent ambush with blades only, because magic may expose them. Celaena hides and recognizes the creature’s unnatural blackness, flawless pale skin, sharp nails, and ability to drain the air around her; her nose begins bleeding as the creature scents her and moves closer. When Celaena fears it may have reached Rowan first, she looks out and finds the creature gone.