The city of Kiros shudders under the shadowy threat of its first true serial killer. Black Cloaks Pax, Essex, and rookie Alden II follow a dangerous trail leading them deeper into both their case and the secrets of the city. What other horrors might the Essex Fire have unearthed?

Phaedra and Pax stare down a giant Dragyern creature at gunpoint, sure that their guns won’t be able to hurt it. Alden has an idea to use light to draw it away. He runs with a light, the Dragyern close behind. He throws the light down a giant hole in the floor and the Dragyern dives in after it.

After some hesitation Phaedra and Pax follow, but it is gone. They try to decide why it came back to the scene of its original murder. It must be at least somewhat intelligent to be looking for something.

Pax asks the Black Cloak captain to bring Phaedra back onto the force so she can help. He says there’s no way until Pax explains just how difficult a situation they’re in and how much they need her expertise. The captain reluctantly agrees.

Phaedra goes to the Kiro Museum of Natural History, where her ex-girlfriend, Nida works now. She hasn’t spoken to her since the fires. However, right now Nida happens to have curated an exhibition on the mysterious Dragyern, so Phaedra screws up her courage and asks her what she knows about them. Nida is incredibly angry at how Phaedra left her, but fills her in on the Dragyern once she hears that one has been spotted. She says that Phaedra’s ramen-guy might know since his ancestor is said to have seen one.

Phaedra, Pax, and some of Pax’s kids go to see Jonos but he doesn’t have any better information for them. While there, Phaedra learns that Pax’s daughter, Joya, lost her wings in the fire—which means it’s her fault.

They learn of another killing. They meet up with Sashenka, who once again has to lead them through the Lagoon to get to it.