Kingsley saves Winnifred but is overwhelmed by his new human senses and collapses. When he recovers, Trystan asks how the transformation occurred, and Kingsley indicates Winnifred. Clare confesses that she knew Kingsley had been shifting between frog and human form for two days but kept it secret. Trystan and Kingsley share an emotional reunion hug. Winnifred speculates that Kingsley’s transformations are connected to his own internal state. Trystan orders everyone to keep the matter a secret just as Blade bursts in. He frantically reports that Trystan’s brother, Malcolm, has stolen the dragon Fluffy for a joyride.

The group convenes in the kitchen where Malcolm has just arrived after his dragon ride. Edwin reveals that Trystan is reading a romance novel, amusing everyone. When Malcolm jokes about Evie’s new wanted poster, Trystan punches him. Tatianna then begins a meeting, revealing that she and Blade want to use Lyssa’s starlight magic to revitalize the abandoned guvre eggs, hoping to lure the creatures back. Evie is furious at the suggestion and feels betrayed that they consulted Lyssa behind her back. Lyssa, however, insists on helping. Clare explains that Evie cannot accompany them, as her wanted poster makes her too recognizable. Heartbroken, Evie reluctantly agrees, and Tatianna promises to go with Lyssa to ensure her safety.

While the others hunt the guvres, Gideon performs manual labor as self-punishment for past mistakes and injures his arm. Keeley tends to his wound, and they share a tense, flirtatious moment. Gideon then spots his mother attempting to flee the manor. He confronts her, begging her not to abandon Evie again, but Nura is resolved to leave. Before she goes, she reveals the existence of a second Book of Rennedawn. It was created with magic ink that copies the original, but she claims she cannot say where it is. Evie, who has overheard the conversation, coldly tells her mother to go. As Trystan escorts Nura away, Evie informs him she is ready to begin her magic training to become the villain she was “always meant to be” (113).

Evie waits for Trystan in an old ballroom, processing her mother’s departure. When Trystan arrives, he begins training her to control her dark magic. He instructs her to use the mist to envelop a table and identify its weak points, which she does successfully. He then tells her to practice on him, explaining that the mist reveals vulnerabilities in different colors—red for minor injuries, yellow for past weaknesses, blue for incapacitation, and black for a fatal strike. Overwhelmed by the fear that she might accidentally kill him, Evie refuses, admitting she doesn’t trust herself with the power. Their lesson is interrupted by Kingsley, who announces the arrival of Lionel, a Curse Consultant.

Aboard Fluffy, Becky argues with Blade for involving Lyssa in their plan against Evie’s wishes. After landing near the guvre nest, Tatianna and Clare explain to Lyssa that magic is often awakened by trauma and summoned by focusing on a powerful emotion. Lyssa immediately masters the technique, and her hands begin to glow with silvery starlight as she holds them over the eggs. The eggs start to shimmer and move in response to her magic. After several minutes of waiting for the adult guvres to appear, one of the eggs begins to crack.

In his office, Trystan and the others meet with Lionel. Lionel determines that Kingsley’s curse is only half-broken and that he will continue transforming randomly unless the original caster, who is now a statue, reverses it. Evie asks Lionel about the second Book of Rennedawn, and he confirms it is real. He explains one book belongs to Fate and the other to Destiny, and King Benedict is now working with Destiny to rewrite the story. To enact a curse of this magnitude, Lionel says, an anchor is needed. In this case, the anchor is a magical key that was gambled away by a former king to a giant on the eastern border. Realizing Benedict must also be seeking the key, Trystan quickly assembles a party of himself, Evie, Malcolm, and Kingsley to retrieve it. Gideon is tasked with finding the second book.

Gideon searches for the second book at the Rennedawn public library, where he meets the librarian, an elderly woman named Mo. Keeley soon arrives, revealing she is a close friend of Mo’s, and scolds Gideon for bringing his dangerous quest to such a public place. They decide to ask Mo for help, with Gideon posing as a curious traveler named “Herbert.” Mo states that there are no copies of the storybook in her library but recalls an old tale about a palace that predates the current Gleaming Palace. This first palace, located in Hickory Forest, might still hold some magic. She then reveals that the original palace is now called Massacre Manor.

As Evie, Trystan, Malcolm, and Kingsley ride toward the eastern border, the mist from Evie’s dark magic hovers over her head. Malcolm remarks that she seems more like herself, and Trystan adds that she looks beautiful. Their journey is violently interrupted when their horses spook at the sight of a giant woman rampaging through the landscape, shouting, “FEE FI FO FUM” (133). Evie is thrown from her horse, and Trystan pulls her behind a tree for cover. A woman emerges from a nearby small house and urges them to take shelter inside.

Inside the house, which is constructed from sweets, Trystan and Evie meet their host, Greta. Evie has a strong instinct that they are in danger and tries to leave, but she is burned when she touches the doorknob. Greta drops her friendly facade, revealing herself as a supporter of King Benedict who intends to hold them captive. She mockingly addresses Evie as “Villain.” Evie and Trystan flee down a hall and lock themselves inside a room at the end of it. They discover the room has no windows, only a large pot sitting over a fire, and fear that Greta plans to cook and eat them.