Evangeline wakes in Jacks’s arms inside LaLa’s bright flat, embarrassed and weak after nearly dying. Evangeline understands that Jacks saved her because he believes she is tied to the Valory Arch prophecy, not because of affection. When Evangeline recognizes LaLa, Jacks bluntly says LaLa is the Fate whose tears poisoned Evangeline.

LaLa reveals that she is the Unwed Bride, a Fate associated with doomed love, but insists she did not poison Evangeline or kill Apollo. LaLa explains that she sold vials of her tears long ago, and someone else must have used them. LaLa and Jacks also allude to the Fates’ exile from the south and to Jacks’s painful past with the empress’s younger sister, though Jacks shuts down the topic.

Jacks gives Evangeline a newspaper reporting Apollo’s murder. The article says Evangeline vanished, that some suspect her and Jacks, and that Tiberius claims to be searching for Evangeline out of concern. The report makes Apollo’s death feel final to Evangeline, and guilt overwhelms her because Apollo died soon after she broke Jacks’s spell on him.

Evangeline wants to return to Wolf Hall to tell Tiberius the truth, but Jacks and LaLa warn that Evangeline is already an ideal suspect. Jacks argues that Tiberius may only want Evangeline so he can blame her and secure the throne. Evangeline doubts Tiberius is guilty, but realizes she needs help to find Apollo’s killer and clear her name.

Evangeline agrees to work with Jacks only under strict terms: they must be true partners, share information, focus solely on finding Apollo’s killer, and avoid secret agendas. Soldiers arrive at nearby residences, but Jacks silently compels them to leave, confirming again how dangerous his powers are. Jacks then says they must visit Chaos, whom LaLa describes as a monster and murderer.

Jacks explains that Chaos is unlike the other Fates: he was never trapped in a deck, has remained in the North for ages, and has gathered favors, people, and information. Because Chaos is the Lord of Spies and Assassins, Jacks believes he may know who wanted Evangeline and Apollo dead. LaLa adds the final warning that Chaos is also a vampire.