After seeing the strange figure outside the library, Celaena tries to convince herself it might have been an ordinary courtier, but the creature’s eerie nature and the glowing amulet make that impossible to dismiss. As a lunar eclipse begins, Celaena decides she needs answers from Elena, despite not wanting to be drawn into another supernatural task.

Celaena moves the furniture hiding the secret passage in her room and descends to the forgotten tunnels beneath the castle. The route reminds Celaena of Cain, the ridderak, Damaris, and the night Nehemia saved Celaena from the creature’s poison. At the tomb door, Celaena hesitates, fearing that seeking Elena out will make Celaena responsible for another burden.

The bronze skull knocker on the tomb door suddenly speaks, shocking Celaena. The knocker explains that old magic still works because ancient spells and Wyrdmarks cannot be erased the way newer magic has been. The knocker introduces himself as Mort, says King Brannon placed him there to guard Elena’s tomb, and mocks Celaena’s name in a way that suggests he knows more about Celaena than he says.

Inside the tomb, Celaena finds that Elena is not present. Mort explains that Elena nearly exhausted herself helping Celaena in recent months, but left a message. Before hearing it, Celaena studies the tomb, Damaris, the Wyrdmarks, and the carved words on Elena’s sarcophagus, reflecting on how legends have diminished Elena from warrior-princess to helpless maiden.

Mort delivers Elena’s message: Celaena cannot escape the burdens tied to the fate of the world, and becoming the King’s Champion puts Celaena in a position to act. Cain and the ridderak were only the beginning; a deadlier power threatens Erilea, and Celaena must follow clues to discover where the king’s power comes from and what he plans to do. Celaena connects this warning to the thing she saw in the hallway and realizes the king is likely tied to all of it.

Celaena angrily rejects the idea of fate and responsibility, arguing that the world is already ruined and that Elena should have acted when Terrasen fell and heroes were slaughtered. When Mort mentions Celaena’s parents, Celaena explodes and threatens him, refusing to let him speak of them. Mort challenges Celaena as selfish and cowardly, but Celaena storms away rather than accept Elena’s quest.