After a long day, Hunt avoids more time underground by waiting on the roof while Bryce cross-references Danika’s location data with murder sites. Near sundown, Bryce emerges with Syrinx and admits she found nothing. On the walk home, light banter about a sunball game briefly eases the tension.

Micah calls, warning Hunt that the morning’s lobby incident must never recur, then assigns him a job and pointedly reminds him the offer of freedom still stands. To avoid Sandriel’s punishments and preserve that leverage, Hunt tells Bryce it’s legion business and departs. He contacts Justinian to watch over Bryce’s building while he is gone.

Hunt confronts a male cougar shifter and, as the target pleads, dissociates into his Umbra Mortis persona and executes the hit. He cleans up at the barracks, scalding away the blood and steadying himself before returning.

Hunt relieves Justinian and slips back into Bryce’s apartment around eleven. Bryce, sensing what he did but not pressing, tells him she recorded the sunball game for later. Too raw for conversation, Hunt retreats to his room with a terse goodnight.