Zoya observes Nikolai’s mood growing darker the more they practice summoning the monster. She didn’t care for being bait and nearly drowning each time, but Juris’s lessons help her keep her temper in check. Today, when Zoya arrives at Elizaveta’s spire before the others, Elizaveta greets her and asks about her time with the Darkling. They talk about his lust for power. Elizaveta shifts the conversation to Nikolai and his love for Zoya, but Zoya knows she cannot give him the love he deserves and changes the subject. She asks Elizaveta about the dark tunnel tainted by rot jutting off the main room. Elizaveta explains it is the bitter tired part of the hive that will slowly take over everything.

Later, Zoya meets with Juris, who wants to work on summoning water and fire. He explains that she is powerful enough to harness all the orders. He turns into a dragon and flies with Zoya on his back. They drop to the ruins of Novokribirsk, and memories of her mother and aunt fill Zoya’s mind. She remembers her mother, Sabina, betrothing her at nine years old to a 63-year-old man, Valentin Grankin:

Zoya’s aunt Liliyana argued with Sabina, trying to prevent the marriage.