Nona wakes at school as Honesty bursts in with news that the necromancers have returned and are setting up a video screen in the square. The children argue about whether war or resettlement is coming, while the Angel orders everyone onto the mats and asks them to promise not to attend the broadcast because House overtures can turn violent. Most of the gang promises; Hot Sauce says she will not go but crosses her fingers, which only Nona notices.

To keep the children inside, the Angel cancels lessons and has them draw Noodle while the streets outside fall unnaturally quiet. Nona grows worried because Camilla, who always picks Nona up before lunch, is more than four hours late. The Angel sends Nona to take Noodle out, and Hot Sauce accompanies Nona downstairs.

Outside, Hot Sauce explains that the Angel arrived with a guarded driver and is vulnerable because of the coming war. When the broadcast time approaches, Hot Sauce decides to go despite the Angel's warning. Hot Sauce writes a note, sends Noodle back upstairs with it, and pulls Nona into the street; Nona follows because Nona feels responsible for looking after Hot Sauce. As they run, Nona unexpectedly remembers a phrase about committing fully once she has stepped in.

Nona and Hot Sauce merge into the crowd near the civics building and climb a traffic-light pole for a better view. The broadcast begins late, first in audio and then on a huge screen. Prince Ianthe Naberius the First, a Lyctor Prince, announces the Emperor's terms: violence against Cohort personnel must stop, House casualties must be surrendered, Blood of Eden must be denied aid, and absent House personnel have twenty-four hours to present themselves for amnesty. Ianthe says the offer depends on obedience and warns that the atmospheric disturbance will not prevent the Nine Houses from punishing New Rho.

Ianthe then reveals another Tower Prince: Crown Prince Kiriona Gaia, the Emperor's only daughter. Nona is shaken because Kiriona has the face of the girl from Nona's dream and the face Camilla and Palamedes drew for Nona, though Kiriona appears lifeless and does not seem to breathe. After the broadcast ends, the crowd turns fearful and chaotic; Hot Sauce panics, saying the princes are not people, and Nona helps Hot Sauce breathe until they can climb down and flee.

A gunshot triggers a stampede, and Hot Sauce and Nona escape through alleys, cutting themselves and scrambling over debris until the Angel finds them in a truck with a gruff driver. The Angel confirms the other children are safe, plans shelter for Hot Sauce, and drops Nona at the Building. Nona returns home exhausted and finds Camilla waiting in obvious distress; Camilla reveals that Pyrrha left before lunch to pick Nona up from school, meaning Pyrrha has been missing for hours.