Kingfisher, Carrion, and Hayden flee through the darkness Kingfisher has cast over Zilvaren. Carrion has been given the Sight so he can guide them through the shadows, while terrified citizens stumble through the streets and guardians advance with even-light torches. Kingfisher wants revenge for Saeris, her mother, and the oppressed people of the ward, but escaping with Hayden takes priority.

Carrion leads the group to Elroy’s forge. Hayden recognizes the stuck door despite being unable to see, and the quicksilver urges Kingfisher inside as Kingfisher’s shadows begin to fade. Once inside, Elroy attacks Kingfisher with a fire iron, mistaking him as a threat and refusing to shelter him because Elroy knows Kingfisher is Fae and dangerous.

Elroy, Carrion, and Kingfisher argue while guardians move through the streets outside. Carrion’s grief over Gracia’s death breaks through his usual humor, softening Elroy’s resistance. Kingfisher then tells Elroy that Kingfisher promised Saeris he would bring Hayden home and would sacrifice anything to keep that promise. Elroy accepts Kingfisher’s resolve but insists Hayden should choose for himself, since Zilvaren is the only home Hayden has known. Hayden decides he wants to go.

As they wait in the forge, Carrion explains the truth about the Fae, his transformation, the portals, and Yvelia. Hayden is fascinated, but Elroy is unsurprised. Kingfisher realizes Elroy already knew about Fae magic and Carrion’s nature. Pressed for the truth, Elroy admits his family, like the Swift family, inherited a secret duty: the Swifts watched over Carrion, while Elroy’s forge-master bloodline had another task and strict rules not to reveal Fae secrets.

Elroy reveals a concealed door hidden by a small piece of magic and opens it with his blood. He leads Kingfisher, Carrion, and Hayden down a long granite stairway into a vast underground cavern filled with metal goods, armor, coins, chalices, and a huge recessed pool. The quicksilver voices call loudly to Kingfisher from the pool, and Elroy identifies it as a dangerous amount of quicksilver, suggesting the hidden trove may be their way out.