Aelin goes into Rifthold’s sewers alone after waiting for Chaol, Nesryn, and their lieutenants to leave the city on a prison-wagon raid. Using information from Chaol and Nesryn, plus her own secret scouting, Aelin follows a sadistic Valg commander toward the old waterways where commanders report to a Wyrdhound.

Aelin deliberately speaks in two voices, pretending to discuss a hidden key, and leaves a spare cloak near the meeting point. Aelin then escapes through a grate to the street while the person who has been tracking Aelin all night follows the false trail. Lorcan walks into the waiting Valg commanders and Wyrdhound, and Aelin leaves as the fight begins.

Three blocks from the warehouse, Lorcan catches Aelin and slams Aelin into a wall, furious that Aelin lured him into the trap. Aelin had prepared for the attack and holds a hidden blade against Lorcan, forcing a stalemate. Their exchange reveals Lorcan killed six Valg and the Wyrdhound, proving the trap worked but also showing how dangerous Lorcan remains.

Rowan appears with a knife at Lorcan’s throat before Lorcan can escalate the fight. Lorcan warns that if Rowan kills Lorcan, Maeve will aid the King of Adarlan against them. Lorcan then taunts Rowan about binding himself to a mortal queen and claims Maeve allowed both Rowan and Aelin to leave Doranelle, but Aelin refuses to show weakness and warns Lorcan that one day Aelin will make Lorcan pay for what Lorcan did to Rowan.

Back at the warehouse, Rowan confronts Aelin for sneaking out and risking herself against Lorcan. Aelin insists the matter is personal and resents being controlled, while Rowan insists Aelin’s dangers are no longer hers alone. Their anger softens into banter and intimacy, but Rowan remains alert for Lorcan’s retaliation, and Aelin admits she will never forgive Lorcan for hurting Rowan.