In the bloody aftermath of Taladaius’s poisoned wine, thralls move through the Hall of Mirrors offering vials to the high bloods who choose rebirth over death. Saeris tries to get a vial for Taladaius, but Foley reaches him first and forces the antidote down his throat despite Taladaius’s resistance. Fisher realizes the poison is a spell tied to Malcolm’s bloodline, explaining that Taladaius disavowed Saeris to sever her from the blood magic and protect her.

Only a small fraction of the high bloods choose to live as Fae again; most die rather than lose their vampiric power. Zovena appears restored to life and explains that Taladaius secretly dosed her earlier, leaving her confused and frightened. Fisher searches for Algat but cannot find her, warning that if Algat also took a vial, she may now be a witch rather than a vampire.

Saeris creates quicksilver relics from Taladaius’s ring, Zovena’s ring, and a Briarstone sigil chain, allowing the group to flee Ammontraíeth for Cahlish while Taladaius continues convulsing. Saeris hesitates because Ammontraíeth is now full of disoriented former vampires and dead high bloods, but Taladaius’s condition leaves no time to stay. At Cahlish, Hayden confronts the bloodied group, and Saeris, exhausted by his demands for honesty, tells him he may stay and learn the truth.

From Fisher’s perspective, the group is cleaned, Taladaius is placed upstairs, Zovena remains hysterical, and Te Léna tends everyone before Fisher explains the events to Te Léna and Maynir. Carrion joins the gathering, and Iseabail arrives without denying her role. Fisher accuses Iseabail of endangering Saeris, and Iseabail admits she supplied Taladaius with the vials, used her cursed witch blood against the vampires, marked the thralls with sigils, and lied because Taladaius would not have agreed if he had known the reborn high bloods might become dangerous.

Iseabail is shocked to learn Taladaius survived, because her larger spell required him as its hidden conduit and was supposed to die with him. Fisher realizes the mark on Taladaius’s chest is a witch mark, not a tattoo, and everyone rushes upstairs. They find Taladaius engulfed in flames as the mark opens toward the demon realm; Te Léna says the spellwork is too knotted to undo, while Iseabail frantically tries to unravel what she created.

Saeris senses hungry beings pressing through the forming gateway and moves toward Taladaius despite Fisher’s warning. When Fisher touches Saeris, their matching runes flare with agonizing power, but Saeris reaches Taladaius and presses her hands to his chest. Her right arm blazes white-blue, Iseabail’s spell collapses, and the hellish fire goes out.