Kaz watches Van Eck approach Goedmedbridge with liveried guards and notices the merchant’s broken nose, tense posture, and visible effort to appear in control. Kaz recognizes Inej despite her hood and forces himself not to focus on her, remembering that his earlier glance toward Inej had exposed his weakness and helped Van Eck gain leverage over them.

Kaz brings Alys onto the bridge and studies every surrounding detail for signs of Van Eck’s next move. Van Eck confirms Alys’s identity by asking about the child’s name, wary after being fooled by Wylan’s disguise as Kuwei. Once satisfied, Van Eck releases Inej and receives Alys, while Kaz notes that Inej has been bound and shackled but is still steady.

As Kaz prepares to cut Inej free, Van Eck loudly accuses Kaz of breaking his word and demands to know where Wylan is. The accusation draws public attention, and Stadwatch officers flood onto West Stave from both sides, blocking the bridge. Van Eck reveals that he has turned the exchange into a larger trap, using the city guard against Kaz’s crew.

Kaz reacts immediately, cutting Inej’s wrist bonds and picking the lock on her ankle shackles while Inej kills an approaching officer with Kaz’s oyster knife. Kaz signals Jesper, sends Inej over the west side toward the flower boat, and follows using a concealed climbing line. On the barge below, fireworks explode overhead, and Wylan’s hidden charges damage a Stadwatch boat, buying Kaz and Inej time.

Kaz gives Inej a red cloak and Mister Crimson mask, and they return to the bridge as the planned distraction unfolds. Dozens of red-cloaked decoys scatter coins, turning West Stave into a joyful, obstructive riot that slows the Stadwatch. Inej briefly laughs with exhilaration, but a sudden massive explosion tears into the House of the White Rose, causing panic and injuries. Kaz realizes this disaster was not Wylan’s work and that another enemy has intervened, so Kaz and Inej flee together into an alley.