Manon Blackbeak returns to Morath furious and exposed after the chaos in Rifthold. She recalls killing Iskra Yellowlegs’s sentinel, allowing four more Yellowlegs witches to die while Rowan rescued Dorian, and then claiming Rifthold as her own by having Abraxos command the wyverns to stand down.

In memory, Iskra confronts Manon atop Rifthold’s castle, enraged that Manon has taken the city and killed one of Iskra’s coven. Manon lies, claiming the sentinel attacked her while trying to seize Dorian, and blames the other deaths on the Fae Prince. Iskra recognizes the lie, calls Manon a Witch Killer, and flies to Morath to report her.

Back in Morath, Manon prepares to face Erawan’s council chamber with Asterin and Sorrel. Knowing the accusation may become deadly, Manon orders Asterin and Sorrel to take the Thirteen and flee if Manon is killed. Asterin urges Manon to deny everything, and Manon enters determined not to look guilty.

Inside, Manon finds the three Matrons, their Seconds, Iskra, and Petrah Blueblood present; Erawan is absent. The formal invocation reveals that the gathering is not a meeting but a witch trial. Manon is accused of murdering a Yellowlegs sentinel and causing the deaths of four others, but Manon admits only the killing and denies wrongdoing, continuing her lie that the sentinel attacked first.

Petrah unexpectedly questions Manon and reminds the Matrons that Manon once saved Petrah’s life during the War Games after Iskra’s bull killed Petrah’s wyvern, Keelie. Petrah argues that Manon’s past act proves she is not someone who would senselessly betray another clan, and she urges the Matrons not to lose their Wing Leader over Iskra’s accusation.

The Blackbeak Matron accepts that Manon should not die, but declares that blood still requires equal payment. Instead of taking Manon’s life, the Blackbeak Matron sentences Asterin Blackbeak to die at sunrise as the blood debt, leaving Manon trapped by her grandmother’s cruelty and afraid for her Second.