At the site of the tribunal evaluation, Blake watches as spectators arrive. He sees Florence and her mother, Jia Shen, knowing they are present as leverage against Medra. Blake becomes enraged when his uncle, Viktor Drakharrow, arrives with Blake’s unstable younger sister, Aenia (Aenia’s situation is explained in the series context). Blake confronts Viktor, who confirms he brought Aenia to ensure both Medra’s and Blake’s compliance, calling her a “foul blood animal” (251). Fearing Aenia will become violent, Blake demands to sit with her and Florence on the tribunal platform. Viktor agrees, and Blake orders Marcus to give up his seat, taking it between Aenia and Florence and promising Florence that he will protect her. Just as they settle, they hear the sound of Nyxaris’s wings.

Medra arrives on Nyxaris and sees Blake guarding Florence and Aenia on the tribunal platform. Nyxaris performs the required maneuvers with ease, privately joking with Medra that powerful riders do not need saddles. Afterward, Viktor and Catherine Mortis demand an “act of submission” from the dragon. In a show of defiance, Nyxaris traps the tribunal members within a ring of fire before unleashing a blast that destroys their carriages, killing the highbloods inside. At Medra’s request, Medra speaks aloud for Nyxaris, declaring that her friends are under his protection. Nyxaris threatens to burn down the Black Keep and then find each tribunal member one by one if Medra or her friends are harmed.

On the road back to the academy, the carriage carrying Medra, Florence, Jia, Aenia, and Theo is ambushed by a group of masked highbloods. A massive silver wolf emerges from the tree line to help Blake and Visha fight the masked attackers, and saves Medra from her attacker. An assailant stabs Medra in the side and shoots the wolf with a crossbow bolt before fleeing. As the injured wolf retreats, Blake carries Medra to the carriage, where they discover Aenia feeding on an unconscious Theo while Florence and Jia scream in terror.

Medra awakens in the infirmary, where Healer Ailith tells her that her rider blood allowed her to heal with remarkable speed. She sees that Theo is in a nearby bed, nearly dead from blood loss. Ailith explains that a highblood feeding on another is a grave crime that she must report. To protect Blake and Aenia, Medra uses her status as Blake’s consort to tell Ailith to speak to the House Leader before filing any report.

Vaughn Sabino arrives, explaining that Blake sent him a note, hoping Vaughn would be willing to let Theo feed from him to survive. Theo has hardly been feeding since he sent Vaughn away, which has contributed to his degeneration. Soon after, Kage Tanaka appears. Medra decides to check herself out of the infirmary. In the hall, Kage informs her that Viktor has approved her transfer to House Avari. He also reveals that he has found a dangerous and forbidden ancient ritual that could potentially sever her blood bond with Blake.

Fully recovered, Medra leaves the infirmary. Blake spots her and asks Medra to stand guard outside his room, where he has tied up Aenia. Medra confronts him about the danger Aenia poses, but Blake reveals that if Aenia’s attack on Theo is discovered, they could both be executed. When Medra confirms she is transferring to House Avari, an angered Blake accuses her of running away. He confesses that their bond makes him intensely protective of her and that he would give up his life for her safety.

Later, Blake confronts Viktor about allowing Medra’s transfer. He is privately unnerved by the inhuman strength he manifested during the carriage attack and the faint, uncertain traces of scales he thinks he glimpses on his palms. Viktor dismisses Medra’s transfer as a political calculation and announces his intention to take Regan Pansera, Blake’s former consort, for himself, framing it as a necessity to repair relations with the Pansera family. Blake finds the idea of Viktor coupling with anyone repulsive. Viktor’s pointed questions about Blake’s health make Blake realize his uncle knows about his physical transformation. Suspecting he is being kept in the dark, Blake resolves to secretly search the Drakharrow family archives for answers.

Medra moves into the House Avari tower and is welcomed by a warden named Evie. Kage surprises her by revealing he has arranged for her to be roommates with Florence. He also informs them that Florence’s mother, Jia, is recovering from the trauma of the attack. Medra does not reveal that Jia is traumatized from watching Aenia nearly kill Theo. Still feeling helpless and terrified, Florence asks Medra to teach her how to fight. Nyxaris mentally communicates with Medra, encouraging her to honor Florence’s request. Medra agrees and settles into her new room with her friend.