In her dying state on the Mithraeum, Harrow begins concocting increasingly divergent false memories using her pocket dimension theater in the River. Harrow imagines herself as “Harrow Nova,” a Reverend Daughter without any necromantic powers who has been supplanted by a “cuckoo” for her parents’ favor (Gideon). This cuckoo is heading to Canaan House and Harrow Nova challenges Ortus for the privilege of being the cuckoo’s cavalier. Abigail and Magnus appear dressed as pilgrims to the Ninth House to inform her that “[t]his isn’t how it happens,” shunting her out of the false memory (354).

Harrow concocts another false memory, trying to grasp at the truth behind “the procedure.” In this memory, Harrow is at a ball with the other Nine House people present at Canaan House. The Houses are hoping to win the favor of a queen (Gideon) and marry her. Once again, Abigail and Magnus appear and more boldly than last time they tell Harrow that “[t]his isn’t how it happens” (357). Harrow is shunted out of the memory.

Harrow dreams up another false memory. Harrow signs up as a Cohort Lieutenant, which is shocking due to her status as the Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House. While at a Cohort training facility, she meets Jeannemary and Isaac, the Fourth House pair from Canaan House.