Content Warning: The section features depictions of graphic violence and illness/death. 

Violet follows Xaden, who has become venin. He has not channeled again and lacks the red eyes typically associated with venin. While their dragons—Sgaeyl, Tairn, and Andarna—believe Xaden is beyond saving, Violet is determined to find a cure. Andarna is a rare dragon of the mysterious seventh breed: If Violet can locate the remaining seventh-breed dragons, she might learn the key to reversing venin change and defeating them.

Violet arrives at an interrogation cell where Xaden is speaking with Jack Barlowe, a former Basgiath student who is imprisoned for being venin and working against Navarre. Barlowe warns Xaden that he will eventually be unable to resist channeling Violet’s magic, which is against the higher-ranking venins’ wishes, as they want her alive. Realizing that Barlowe now knows what Xaden is venin and could reveal it to others, Violet trusts Imogen, Bodhi, and Garrick with the truth of Xaden’s condition. Imogen can use her signet power to erase Barlowe’s memory of Xaden’s transformation.

Two weeks later, Violet is summoned to meet with the king’s council, who are struggling to negotiate a peace deal with Poromiel. The riders have been actively hunting any venin left behind after the battle, eliminating 31 so far.