An hour before dawn, Dorian wakes Manon and orders her to dress and follow him. He then brings Manon and Aelin to the cargo hold, where the witch mirror has been kept, while the ship above them prepares for battle against Maeve's armada.

Dorian explains that Manon's earlier warning about what parts of her are made of iron reminded him of Deanna's riddle. After thinking through it all night, Dorian concludes that the mirror's power is not destructive force but knowledge: it may show Aelin how to use the Wyrdkeys safely, perhaps even how to bind them into the gate.

Aelin resists because dawn is near, her magic is depleted, and a disastrous battle is about to begin. Dorian argues that precisely because they are out of time, Aelin needs the mirror's knowledge to prevent catastrophic losses and possibly strike back at Maeve with the keys they already possess.

Manon identifies the object as a traveling mirror and connects Deanna's words, “Flame and iron,” to herself and Aelin. When Aelin worries the mirror could lead to Morath, Manon points out that the Eye of Elena symbol belongs to both of them and says Aelin will need someone who knows the way out if that happens.

As Aedion arrives and demands to know what is happening, Aelin accepts the risk. Manon places her hand over Aelin's, they press their joined hands to the mirror, and both women vanish before Dorian can speak to Manon or Aedion can stop them.