Erawan speaks through the ruined body of the former Chief Overseer, his voice ancient and alien rather than Perrington’s. Aelin recognizes that nothing of the man remains to save and forces herself to stand firm, while Aedion tries to shield her. Because Aelin is wearing the amulet that holds the final Wyrdkey, she focuses on keeping Erawan distracted so he will not sense how close the key is.

Erawan taunts Aelin for trying to save the overseer despite what the man did to her in Endovier, suggesting she is becoming a god who decides who deserves mercy. Aedion counters by mocking Erawan for losing Dorian, and Aelin adds a threat of her own. Erawan responds by revealing that he knows Rowan took Dorian from Rifthold and that his hunters are tracking both Rowan and Dorian.

When Erawan says he plans to hurt Rowan and Dorian and turn them into his loyal generals, Aelin attacks with blue flame. She burns away the overseer’s body, but when she glances toward Aedion and Lysandra, Erawan strikes her with darkness. The blow throws Aelin into the temple wall and leaves her badly shaken, though she hides the extent of the injury from Aedion.

Aelin pours more power into the possessed body until Erawan’s shields give way, though she realizes they yield only because Erawan chooses to withdraw. The body collapses into ash, leaving behind the iron-and-Wyrdstone heart. The encounter clarifies Erawan’s true threat: if Aelin’s court is captured, he can hollow them out and make them into weapons against her.

Aedion urges Aelin to reach their ship before dawn if Erawan’s threat against Rowan and Dorian is real. Aelin agrees that they must get to Skull’s Bay as quickly as possible. As she leaves, Aelin sees that Erawan’s strike missed the amulet by only three inches, narrowly avoiding the hidden Wyrdkey, and she recognizes the terrifying power of the King of the Darkness.