Liam lies awake beside Dianna after pretending to sleep so she will rest. He watches her with growing tenderness, notices the flower he gave her, and struggles with the recurring nightmare phrase, "This is how the world ends." Although Liam has told himself to remain professional, Liam admits that Dianna calms him and that he nearly attacked Drake earlier out of jealousy and protectiveness.

Liam leaves Dianna sleeping and encounters Drake in the hallway. Drake taunts Liam about Dianna and leads Liam to Ethan's study, where Liam notices many vampires sheltering in the mansion because they fear Kaden. Ethan reveals that he and Drake can read pieces of thought, explains that Alistair was the last true mind-bender, and confirms that Dianna turned Alistair to ash.

In the study, Ethan shows Liam maps and materials Drake stole from Kaden's lair. Ethan explains that Drake's supposed death was a ruse created with Dianna and witches using a cloaking spell, because Dianna refused to kill Drake when Kaden demanded retaliation. Ethan asks for a deal, and Liam refuses a blood bargain but promises protection and pardon for Ethan's people if they prove Dianna right by helping.

Ethan and Drake then warn Liam not to court Dianna if Liam intends to leave when the conflict ends. Ethan says Dianna has been starved of affection by Kaden and craves love despite her denials, so Liam must not make her care unless Liam intends to stay. The warning unsettles Liam because it names the growing bond Liam has been trying not to acknowledge.

Liam summons Logan and Vincent into the study and orders them to increase protection around Gabriella, believing Kaden may try to reclaim Dianna by taking her sister again. Ethan identifies possible Kaden attack sites and underground lairs, while Logan reports that attacks and disappearances have gone quiet. Liam and Logan dismiss the Book of Azrael as impossible because they saw Azrael dead, but Liam says he will learn why Kaden believes in it.

Before Liam leaves, Ethan asks whether Liam wields the Oblivion blade. Liam is shaken because Kaden should not know of a weapon that leaves no afterlife and can end worlds. Disturbed by memories of war and destruction, Liam goes toward Dianna's room for comfort, but Ethan's warning stops him; realizing Dianna has become too important and that war is approaching, Liam lowers his hand from her door and leaves.