Elspeth’s returned memories pull Elspeth into a dark inner shore where Elspeth cannot escape. Elspeth remembers magic, Elspeth’s infection, Providence Cards, Hauth Rowan’s attack at Spindle House, and the monster who saved Elspeth. Elspeth calls for the Nightmare, but the Nightmare does not answer.

Trapped without any sense of time, Elspeth encounters children who come and go across the beach without leaving marks or ripples. Elspeth learns the children are Tilly and Tilly’s brothers: Ilyc, Afton, Fenly, Lenor, and Bennett. The children do not interact with one another and sometimes pass through each other, but the children speak to Elspeth as if expecting attention, approval, or gifts.

The children’s requests make Elspeth realize the children are not truly addressing Elspeth. Lenor asks Elspeth to see what Lenor has built, Fenly asks Elspeth to watch a tournament, and the twins demand a Golden Egg Card because Bennett was given Providence Cards. When Elspeth cannot give them anything, the twins accuse Elspeth of keeping the Cards and say they hate Elspeth.

As timelessness deepens, Elspeth’s thoughts turn destructive. Elspeth fears Elspeth’s family will die for hiding Elspeth’s infection and blames Elspeth for ruining the Yews’ hope of healing Emory by killing Orithe Willow. Even so, Elspeth holds on to small memories of love and warmth: Elspeth’s aunt, Ione, and Ravyn.

Bennett appears holding the Mirror and Nightmare Cards and asks Elspeth to come to dinner because the children miss Elspeth, especially Tilly. Elspeth understands that the beach belongs to the Shepherd King and is where the Shepherd King’s secrets are kept. Refusing to remain there and be forgotten, Elspeth walks into the waves, swims until Elspeth gives out, and sinks deeper into darkness.