Celaena draws Damaris on Archer when he appears in the hidden chamber and admits he has been tracking her for weeks through the passages Nehemia showed him. Celaena tries to erase the glowing Wyrdmarks around the portal, fearing Archer should not see it, but the spell is too complex. When Archer grabs her wrist, Celaena sees a black snakelike tattoo and realizes Nehemia’s warning meant not to trust Archer.

Archer presses Celaena about the Wyrdkeys and reveals that he hid the riddle in Davis’s office so she would find and solve it. He says Nehemia came to the castle to learn whether the king had stolen the keys, but Archer wants to find and use them to overthrow the king and build a new world. Celaena insists she would rather destroy the keys, then deliberately pretends to agree with Archer’s hunger for revenge so she can draw out the truth.

Believing Celaena is sympathetic, Archer admits Nehemia left the rebel movement because she opposed using the Wyrdkeys and feared replacing one tyrant with many. Celaena continues the deception, and Archer reveals he arranged Nehemia’s murder: he blamed Councilman Mullison, disguised himself to hire Grave, kidnapped Chaol to separate Celaena from Nehemia, planted the threat that drew Chaol into the trap, and took an arrow to earn Celaena’s trust. Archer also says Arobynn told him what Celaena is, and that Archer needs her for his cause.

Celaena stabs Archer, aiming for his heart, but Archer moves with unnatural speed and the dagger only pierces his shoulder. As Celaena lunges again, Celaena’s bloodied hand strikes the portal stones, making a Wyrdmark flare. The portal shifts, growls, and opens onto a misty, ashen world; Celaena thinks Nehemia has returned, but the figure emerging is not Nehemia.

Meanwhile, Chaol cannot sleep and is troubled by Celaena’s will. Dorian arrives in panic, saying a dream warned him that Celaena is in danger and that he would find a hidden door in her rooms. Chaol and Dorian break into Celaena’s empty bedroom, discover the secret passage behind the tapestry, and hear a monstrous growl, a human scream, and Fleetfoot’s bark from below.

Chaol and Dorian descend into the hidden tunnels despite Chaol’s order for Dorian to stay back. They find the green portal, Archer chanting from a book, Celaena lying on the floor, and a pale, clawed monster advancing while wounded Fleetfoot defends Celaena. Chaol orders Dorian to go and throws himself at the creature.