Celaena Sardothien sits in a wagon, shackles on her wrists, wondering if she brought her misfortune upon herself, feeling the weight and numbness of heartbreak.

Eleven days earlier, Celaena is sitting in the rafters of the theater, watching the symphony. She used to attend every fall with Arobynn, who now sits in his box with Lysandra at his side. After winning her Bidding, he continues to hire her for her courtesan services. Celaena tries to enjoy the music, but she’s distracted by her jealousy about no longer being at Arobynn’s side. She wonders how long she can cling to her title as Adarlan’s Assassin while outside the guild.

When she returns to her apartment, it is cold and empty, Sam having left a note that he is out for the night. She knows where he is and goes to the Vaults to find Sam participating in a pit fight. She watches him win, upset that he’s fighting at all. Afterwards, he tells her he did it because they need the money, neither of them able to easily pick up contracts without Arobynn’s help, though they are still technically members of the guild. Sam wonders if they should move, but Celaena argues that moving costs money, so they need one more contract each to earn enough to move.