After the crew finishes planning late into the night, Kaz remains awake in Black Veil, assessing the larger fight against Jan Van Eck. Kaz recognizes that recovering Inej was only one battle and that Van Eck still holds money, influence, and the protection of public respectability. To defeat Van Eck, Kaz decides he must expose him as a criminal rather than merely outwit him in secret.

Inej finds Kaz among the graves and questions why Kaz added a safety net to the silo plan. Kaz hides his true fear for Inej behind the claim that Inej is an investment. Inej correctly guesses Kaz intends to leave the island, and Kaz admits he must meet Per Haskell because the Dregs’ leader is likely becoming restless after the chaos Van Eck has brought down on the gang.

Kaz and Inej intercept Per Haskell in the Knuckle before Haskell reaches his regular card game. Kaz disarms Haskell without harming him, then explains that Van Eck is moving quickly but Kaz still expects to win. Kaz appeals to Haskell’s greed by promising four million kruge, which persuades Haskell to give Kaz a few more days. When Haskell demands that Inej return to his service, Inej silently vanishes, and Kaz pointedly says she belongs to no one before letting Haskell go.

Kaz and Inej then head to the Church of Barter to observe Van Eck’s house. Kaz insists on accompanying Inej despite his exhaustion and injured leg, but Inej tricks Kaz into climbing to a rooftop vantage point so she can case the house alone. Inej argues that reconnaissance is her work, not Kaz’s, and leaves Kaz to return to the gondel while she scouts Van Eck’s security.

When Inej returns, Inej reports that Alys remains guarded on the second floor, Van Eck’s office is in its usual place, Schuyler locks have been installed, and the household is preparing for a Merchant Council dinner the next night. Kaz realizes the dinner may provide a useful distraction, especially because Van Eck will likely use it to request more stadwatch action in the Barrel.

Back at Black Veil, Kaz asks whether Van Eck hurt Inej. Inej finally reveals that Van Eck planned to smash Inej’s legs so Inej could never heal properly. Kaz, furious but unable to offer ordinary comfort, promises to wound Van Eck in a lasting way. When Inej asks whether Kaz would have come for Inej if Inej had no longer been useful as the Wraith, Kaz admits that he would come for her no matter how broken either of them was, and they return to the tomb in silence.