Jude attempts to see Cardan but finds Madoc has barred her from the court. She instead moves to the entrance of the Court of Shadows, but finds it destroyed. She finds Val Moren and asks him for help gaining her entrance, but he refuses. Finally, with no other options, she goes to Balekin and tells him she has been refused access to Cardan. He tells her he will arrange entrance for her at an upcoming ball and gives her a vial of poison for Cardan’s drink.

Jude considers her options, then decides to spend the night in Balekin’s large and empty house. After resting, she goes to the palace and finds her way in from above. From there she makes her way to Cardan’s room. She tells him of Balekin and Orlagh’s plans to kill him and asks about the price he paid for her release. Cardan speaks of his past and his feelings for Jude.

The Roach and the Bomb enter and accuse Jude of coming to kill Cardan. Jude explains that she cannot be glamoured, though she pretended to go along with Balekin’s plan.