After Aelin signs the banking documents that transfer Arobynn’s fortune and holdings, the group leaves the Keep behind and returns toward the slums. Instead of entering the warehouse, Aelin walks to the river, and Aedion follows her alone. Aedion tells Aelin that seeing her slip back into her old assassin persona unsettled him because it showed how much she had endured without joy, love, or family.

Aedion admits guilt that Aelin had to face Arobynn and his world alone, then asks Aelin to let him share her burdens now that Aedion is healed. Aelin resists because Aelin fears risking Aedion’s life, but Aedion argues that Aedion is more expendable than the queen of Terrasen. Aelin quietly says Aedion is not expendable to her, then reveals her broad plan: free magic, take down the king, and kill Dorian if necessary.

Later, Rowan reports that Rowan tracked Lorcan’s fresh scent through the city but did not find Lorcan. Aelin avoids looking at Rowan after their strained encounter the previous night, and Rowan struggles with his growing desire for Aelin and his fear of loving someone after Lyria’s death. Rowan realizes Aelin’s touch and interest affect Rowan differently from past lovers, forcing Rowan to confront grief, guilt, and the risk of losing Aelin.

The next day, Aelin and Lysandra disguise themselves as wealthy women and enter Nesryn’s father’s busy bakery to question Nelly, a worker linked to Shadow Market survivors. While waiting, Aelin and Lysandra discuss Clarisse’s anger over Arobynn’s will, the increased debts imposed on Lysandra and the other courtesans, Evangeline’s safety, and Lysandra’s lack of regret over killing Arobynn. Their conversation also confirms a warmer friendship between Aelin and Lysandra.

Aelin and Lysandra bribe Nelly into revealing that some Shadow Market survivors escaped through the sewers and are hiding in catacombs beneath the city. Afterward, Aelin, Rowan, Aedion, and Chaol go to the burned Shadow Market, where Aelin leads them to the opium dealer’s ruined stall. Aelin reveals that the dealer was rumored to sell hellfire, a devastating substance capable of destroying part of Rifthold if mishandled.

Aelin opens a hidden trapdoor and descends into the sewer tunnels, explaining that the dealer likely stored the hellfire nearby and that the king’s men killed the dealer two days earlier. Rowan realizes Aelin intends to use hellfire to blow up the clock tower and free magic. With the supply apparently unguarded in the catacombs, Aelin jumps down to claim it.