Asar leads Mische, Elias, Chandra, and Luce to the edge of the Sanctum of Psyche, where he says they are now closer to death than life. The landscape is a red, glassy sea broken by white bone-like islands, and the presence of death visibly wears on the group, especially Chandra. Asar explains that Psyche governs memory and thought, so the sanctum and its souleaters can manipulate their minds and use their own thoughts as bait.

Chandra expresses dread and a desire to go home, while Mische offers quiet comfort. Asar immediately starts down the steep path, but Elias argues that the group should rest before entering another deadly place. Asar rejects the suggestion, insisting they have no time to waste, and Elias reluctantly follows.

The descent to the bottom is difficult and exhausting. Once below, the group sees the unsettling beauty of Psyche up close: still lakes of blood, fog taking almost human shapes, and flying souleaters hidden among the storm clouds. Asar notes that souleaters come in many forms, evolve to hunt, and are better fed deeper in the Descent; beneath the blood, more souleaters circle as if drawn by the party’s presence.

Asar begins to explain where the temple should be, but suddenly stops and stares at his hands. Lightning and a roar shake the ground as the blood ripples with souleaters below. Mische senses Asar’s panic, and Asar removes his gloves and arm guards to reveal new markings: black ink on one arm, red ink interwoven with scars on the other, each hand marked with an eye.

Mische recognizes the markings as an Heir Mark, which signifies the rightful ruler of a vampire kingdom. Asar’s Mark means his father, Raoul, King of the House of Shadow, is dead. Asar looks to Mische in shock, but Elias steps forward and, instead of pledging loyalty or mourning Raoul, says, “Fucking finally,” and stabs Asar in the side.