At long last, Belle attempts her final trial to become a nomad. Confronted with a strange instrument, she must face her own doubts. Meanwhile, Adonis comes face-to-face with a chilling revelation.

While Belle struggles through her trauma, Adonis sinks into darkness. There, he meets the swordwright Dram and Belle's teacher, Sian. Learning of their shared path awakens him to a terrible new power.

Belle suffers from wounds both mental and physical. To heal her, Bennett must pay a terrible price.