Five days after Oro healed Isla from the thorn attack, Isla has not heard from him. While Oro is supposedly seeking an ancient creature to secure safe passage for their next step, Isla recovers and becomes more determined to break her curses, not only for freedom but for power. Worried Oro may have abandoned their partnership, Isla decides to meet Celeste and reestablish a visible public friendship as cover.

In the crowded agora, where merchants prepare for the upcoming ball, Isla counts down the ten days remaining before killing is permitted and before she and Celeste must find the bondbreaker. Just before entering a Starling weapons shop, Isla is bumped by someone who slips a note into Isla's hand reading, You are in danger. Isla sees a figure in a white cape and follows through the market, briefly passing Celeste and telling Celeste she will return.

Isla follows the caped figure down toward an old harbor, where abandoned ships and boathouses line the wet stones. When Isla catches sight of the cape behind a landlocked ship, hidden Moonling nobles spring a trap. Water chains bind Isla's wrists and ankles, and a sword is pressed to Isla's throat. The nobles reveal they believe one realm must fall in the Centennial, and although Cleo may not have directly ordered the attack, the attempt appears sanctioned by Moonling interests.

As one noble prepares to kill Isla, Celeste arrives and uses Starling power to stop the blade, free Isla from the water chains, and fight the attackers. Once unbound, Isla transforms her bracelets into throwing knives and kills two Moonlings. After another noble throws Isla against an old ship and chokes Isla, Isla uses a shard of glass to stab the noble through the throat.

Celeste and Isla finish the fight, leaving the Moonling nobles dead across the harbor. Celeste tells Isla that Isla must send Cleo a message strong enough to discourage future attacks. Together, Celeste and Isla write in blood: Try harder. The violence confirms Isla's growing resolve that she will never again be helpless against power.