A rare night of warmth and laughter in Larose gives Cullen and Sharael a chance to breathe. But under Luna’s light, even an ordinary walk home can turn into something dangerous.

After settling into Marta’s boarding house, Cullen and Sharael share tea, fresh clothes, and a brief escape into the city’s music and dancing. Along the way, Sharael reveals more of the Circle’s design for the world and what has already changed in their long absence. What begins as a simple evening out shifts when the temple of Karakus draws Cullen’s attention, and the night starts pressing at old dreams and stranger truths. Back at Mount Pleasant Road, a late visitor and a lingering sense of pursuit make safety feel temporary.