Aelin and Dorian enter a place beyond ordinary reality: the true Wyrdgate, a crossroads filled with countless doors to other worlds. Their bodies are not truly their bodies, and their combined power pours out of them into a growing sphere of light that begins to become the Lock.

As the Lock forms, Aelin and Dorian realize the cost is far greater than they had hoped. Every piece of magic they give is permanently lost, and the process becomes agonizing. The Lock takes the familiar shape of the Eye of Elena, made of gold and silver, because that is the form their minds understand.

Aelin struggles to hold on to her identity as the keys and the Wyrdgate threaten to overwhelm her sense of self. The pain reminds Aelin of Cairn's torture, but Aelin recognizes that this suffering is worse because it is stripping away Aelin's power and life. Aelin understands too late that she and Dorian will not survive if the forging continues.

Dorian also feels his magic and self being unraveled. Dorian realizes the Lock will kill both of them and that stopping may be the only way to save either of them. Dorian also worries that Dorian will not be able to fulfill Dorian's promise to Gavin to help Elena when the gods claim Elena's soul.

Just as Dorian tries to speak and halt the forging, a voice says for them to stop. A man steps through one of the impossible doorways, appearing solid yet shimmering at the edges. Dorian recognizes the figure as Dorian's father.