Ruhn Danaan, stoned on mirthroot and drifting to loud music at his shared house, is interrupted by Bryce Quinlan. She cuts through his haze and the party downstairs, making clear she needs information and focus, not indulgence.

In his room, Bryce asks what the Aux knows of the Viper Queen’s movements the night Maximus Tertian died. Ruhn confirms the killing matches Danika and the Pack’s murders and says the Viper Queen pulled her people from the streets, seemingly spooked. Bryce reveals Micah commandeered her to investigate; Ruhn warns her to stay out and threatens to call Micah. She refuses, vowing to find the killer despite the demon’s lethality and the Autumn King’s order to lie low.

Ruhn shifts to Luna’s Horn; Bryce admits Jesiba had her search for it two years ago with no results. Ruhn notes Bryce’s Archesian amulet and insists she keep it on. Bryce departs, intent on pursuing her lead.

Outside, Hunt Athalar waits as Bryce’s assigned protection, shocking Ruhn and his friends. A barbed confrontation erupts between Ruhn and Hunt, nearly escalating in public before they break off. Hunt follows Bryce, surprised by the mention that she plans to approach the Viper Queen.

Left simmering, Ruhn contemplates the murders’ resurgence alongside his father’s renewed order to find the missing Horn, which vanished shortly before Danika’s death. Convinced the timing isn’t coincidence, he resolves to track down Luna’s Horn.