Diem wakes near dawn in the inn room and realizes Henri has not returned. Earlier, solitude after her bath left Diem overwhelmed by unanswered questions about Auralie, Luther, Teller, the wolf, and the missing flameroot powder, so Henri's absence now sends Diem downstairs in concern.

In the dark tavern, Diem finds Henri seated with Brecke and several men around a candlelit table. Diem overhears fragments about sending word, gathering forces, timing, and war. The possibility of war frightens Diem because Teller, Henri, and even Diem's father could be drawn into fighting, while Diem imagines herself left behind or forced to abandon healing for battle.

The thought of fighting triggers a strange vision. Diem sees herself armored in black on a battlefield burning with silver fire, holding a black-bladed sword while dead mortals and Descended lie around her. Unlike Diem's childhood hallucinations, this feels to Diem like a possible future rather than a present delusion, and the sensation of power unsettles and tempts Diem before Diem reminds herself that war means death, sacrifice, and haunted choices.

As Diem prepares to leave, Diem notices one man's Everflame tattoo, then sees the same symbol hidden or partly visible on the others. Diem realizes Henri lied when Henri claimed the mark was merely to honor the Old Gods. Angry and alarmed that Henri and the men are openly bearing an outlawed symbol in Fortos, Diem confronts Henri in front of the group and demands to speak privately.

Back in the room, Diem demands the truth, but Henri refuses to explain, saying Diem is safer not knowing. Henri also points out that Diem has been keeping secrets from him, and when Henri says Diem has not been stable lately, Diem's anger becomes frighteningly violent. A voice inside Diem urges Diem to fight, and Diem feels an impulse to physically hurt Henri, horrifying and captivating Diem at once.

To prevent herself from harming Henri, Diem orders Henri to leave. Henri apologizes and tries to reach for Diem, but Diem pulls away and snarls for Henri to go. Heartbroken, Henri obeys, leaving Diem alone with the disturbing force inside herself.