At the meeting, Trystan discusses the manor’s security, notes the absence of Tatianna and Clare, and outlines the plan to steal the book of Rennedawn. Their few existing pages of the book have been burned by someone on the property. Keeley, the captain of Massacre Manor’s Malevolent Guards, objects to curing the traitor Marv, but he overrules her, insisting they need information from him. Gideon is annoyed at not being consulted about the theft. Next, the group attempts to decipher a prophecy that claims to hold “the key to saving the world in true love” (58). Afterward, Keeley reveals that a new wanted flyer circulating in the kingdom names Evie as “THE TRUE VILLAIN” and “CORE HEALER KILLER.” Although she’s devastated by the poster, Evie voices her hope that people will stop demonizing Trystan now that they know about her predestined role. She walks out of the meeting, leaving the others stunned and silent.

In the courtyard, Blade and Becky work on a trap for the guvres, dangerous magical creatures that feature in the prophecy, and share a kiss. Blade proposes a risky plan involving Lyssa’s starlight magic to make the old guvre eggs viable again, citing the prophecy’s line that “[f]ate and starlight fall together” (63). Becky is furious and refuses to endanger a child. Blade argues that they can protect Lyssa and asks for Becky’s help in convincing Evie. Before they can resolve the argument, a panicked Tatianna runs into them, frantically announcing that Kingsley has gone missing.

Prince Alexander William Kingsley experiences a sudden, painful transformation from a frog back into his human form. He is found by Clare, who insists they keep his return a secret until she can figure out what turned him human, stating she wants to “fix what [she] broke” (67). Blade, Becky, and Tatianna arrive, and Becky recognizes Kingsley from royal portraits. Tatianna is overjoyed and wants to tell Trystan, but Clare objects. As they argue, Kingsley is overcome with agony and transforms back into a frog.

While Evie is alone in her room, her dark magic demonstrates a will of its own. The magic creates an illusion of a happy past with her family, but an inner voice warns her it is a trap. She shatters the vision by punching the image of her father, which reveals a being known as the destiny monster. The monster transports her to a high parapet on the manor, but Trystan saves her from falling. Taking the form of a woman, the monster declares that she wants to alter reality to create a “world where Trystan Maverine never became The Villain” (72). She warns them, “Three sunsets before Hallows’ Eve will be your final chance to ever be free” (72). The holiday is only two months away.

Trystan asks Edwin, the manor’s ogre caretaker, for information about curses. Edwin recalls a scholar named Joseph who theorized that a wave of magic would come from the Lilac Sea when the prophecy neared its end. Realizing they need the book of Rennedawn to understand how to complete the prophecy, Trystan orders Gideon to infiltrate King Benedict’s palace and steal it. While they discuss the prophecy, Lyssa points out that the group needs to unravel the line about a place “where sunlight beams unvarnished” and asks if any of them know where that is (77). Suddenly, a violent thunderstorm knocks out the manor’s lights. When they are restored, Lyssa has vanished from the kitchen.

During the frantic search for Lyssa, Evie hears a voice that sounds like her sister’s calling for help from the dungeons. Ignoring Keeley’s warnings, Evie uses her magic to blast open the doors. Inside, she finds a rabbit. Keeley identifies the creature as the Silk, a shapeshifter. The real Lyssa then appears, explaining she had run off after someone she mistook for Kingsley. The Silk transforms into a tentacled monster, attacks the guards, and flees. From the broken dungeon doors, the sound of many footsteps signals that all the prisoners have escaped. Trystan grabs Evie and runs away with Lyssa alongside them.

While searching for Lyssa in a tower, Gideon is ambushed by two of his cruel former superiors from the Valiant Guard, Captain Lucius and Captain Damon. Keeley arrives to help but is struck down by Damon. Enraged, Gideon viciously attacks Damon and kicks him from the tower window to his death. Keeley recovers and kills Lucius. In the aftermath, she kisses Gideon before they hear more fighting and run to rejoin the battle against the escaped prisoners.

Becky and Blade are attacked by an escaped prisoner, Lord Walter Loring. Blade quickly subdues him, and Walter confesses that Benedict promised him a place on the king’s council if he got himself captured and found an unspecified item within the manor. Becky’s brother, Roland, arrives and receives permission to transport the poisoned Marv to their family home, Fortis Fortress, for better treatment. Becky tells Roland to put Walter in the cartography closet. When Roland opens the door, he discovers Winnifred Erodina, the daughter of the man who cursed Kingsley, already inside. A flash of magic erupts, and when it clears, Walter has been transformed into a snail.

Evie and Trystan fight their way through the manor’s hallways, which are now swarming with escaped prisoners and Valiant Guards. Gideon and Keeley join them and report that they have cleared the east perimeter. Tatianna and Clare make a brief, shaken appearance before leaving together, and Trystan remarks that they are hiding something. Amid the chaos of fallen bodies, Evie spots a pair of discarded trousers. Trystan fishes an object from the pocket and finds Kingsley’s crown.