Dorian spends a sleepless night thinking about the revelation that the final Wyrdkey is at Morath. He wants to reach it, but Manon and the Thirteen are focused on finding the Crochans and are unlikely to return to the place they barely escaped. At dawn, Dorian tries to delay their departure with small acts of magic while Manon, Asterin, and Sorrel debate where to search next.

As the coven prepares to fly north, Abraxos suddenly attacks the snow behind Manon, revealing a hidden white bear. Dorian blasts the creature back with magic, and the bear transforms into a massive black stygian spider. Manon recognizes the spider as the creature from whom she stole Spidersilk for Abraxos’s wings.

With Dorian holding the spider in place, the Thirteen prepare to kill her. The spider explains that she gained shape-shifting by taking years and power from a young merchant, and Damaris confirms the truth of her words. Before Manon can strike, the spider reveals that she found the coven by scent from possessions left at Morath and that she has seen Crochans about fifty miles south.

Dorian realizes Gavin’s promised “path” may have arrived: the spider’s shape-shifting could provide a way for him to infiltrate Morath in another form. The spider names herself Cyrene, and Dorian invokes his authority as king over the Ruhnns to spare her temporarily, arguing that she may know more. Manon resists, warning that Cyrene could betray or attack them, but Dorian uses both magic and royal command to force the issue.

Cyrene shifts into a naked human woman, and Dorian keeps her under magical control as the Thirteen reluctantly accept bringing her along. Manon notices Dorian’s change in demeanor and challenges his apparent disregard for his own life. The chapter ends with the coven preparing to fly south toward the Crochans, while Dorian secretly plans to learn shape-shifting from Cyrene and Manon hides her own intentions.