In the White Fang Mountains, Manon and the Thirteen investigate another hidden camp the Shadows have found. Asterin determines it has been abandoned since early autumn, confirming Manon’s fear that they are only finding traces of Crochans rather than living witches. Manon reflects that their search for the third Wyrdkey has failed, so she and Dorian have turned instead to finding the Crochans and winning them to the war effort.

Manon considers the danger of approaching the Crochans as the White Demon, a notorious Crochan killer, even though Manon is also their last living queen. The remnants of Rhiannon’s cloak in Manon’s braid remind Manon of the half sister Manon killed and of Manon’s parents’ hope that Manon might unite Ironteeth and Crochans. When Manon doubts whether Manon deserves the Thirteen’s loyalty, Asterin tells Manon that only Manon can decide that.

That night, Dorian slips away from the sleeping witches and wyverns, using weeks of observation and staged nighttime wanderings to avoid suspicion. Dorian reflects on his unspoken, physical bond with Manon, his magical training with the Thirteen, his numbness and guilt after Sorscha and his father, and his conviction that he may need to sacrifice himself to seal the Wyrdgate. In a hidden clearing, Dorian uses blood, Wyrdmarks, Damaris, and the two Wyrdkeys to summon Gavin, the first King of Adarlan.

Gavin rebukes Dorian for risking the summoning and for the ruin of Adarlan, while Dorian demands to know where the third Wyrdkey is. Gavin initially refuses because sealing the gate would cost Elena her existence, but Dorian presses him by invoking the deaths that will follow if the keys are not returned and by admitting that Dorian is willing to forfeit his own soul. Gavin finally reveals that the third key is at Morath, though Gavin does not know exactly where.

Before vanishing, Gavin warns Dorian not to go to Morath until Dorian is truly ready, calling the stronghold a hell that destroys reckless men. Gavin says Damaris can help Dorian discern truth and tells Dorian to remain at the camp because the path will find Dorian there. When Dorian asks whether Dorian is human, Gavin says Gavin is not the one who can answer.