Raoul halts Mische’s execution after an unexpected voice objects that killing her would be a waste. The newcomer is revealed as Asar Voldari, Raoul’s bastard son and the feared Wraith Warden, long absent from court. Asar’s open criticism angers Raoul and irritates Egrette, but Raoul allows him to explain.

Asar orders the guard to let Mische stand, then examines the scarred tattoo on Mische’s arm. He recognizes it as the mark of the Order of the Destined Dawn and argues that Mische, as a Dawndrinker connected to Atroxus, is too valuable to execute. Egrette insists that Mische must have lost Atroxus’s magic after becoming a vampire, but Asar says he has a task from Nyaxia, the Dark Mother, and needs Atroxus’s power for it.

Asar directly asks Mische whether Mische can still wield Atroxus’s magic. Knowing that admitting the truth may doom Raihn and Oraya by turning Mische’s death into a provocation, Mische lies and says she still has the magic. When Mische tries to prove it, Mische prays desperately to Atroxus, expecting silence, but Atroxus answers and flame appears in Mische’s palm. Raoul accepts Asar’s claim and orders Asar to take Mische, saying the underworld will be punishment enough.

Outside the castle, Mische is overwhelmed by the return of Atroxus’s voice and magic, repeatedly summoning painful sparks despite the wounds they cause. Asar leads Mische in chains through the coastal grounds of the Shadowborn castle, refusing to answer most questions. Mische realizes they are likely going to Morthryn, the House of Shadow’s cursed divine prison, and infers that Asar’s long disappearance may be tied to it.

Asar probes Mische’s thoughts, prompting Mische to snap at him, and he warns that Asar has not shown mercy. Fearing that entering Morthryn will trap Mische forever, Mische tries to use Atroxus’s returned magic to attack and escape. Atroxus speaks again, telling Mische to wait and that this is not the time, which throws the attack off-balance; Asar easily deflects Mische into a rosebush and renders Mische unconscious with shadowy magic.