Hunt is anxious about meeting Celestina, but Bryce reassures him, explaining that Celestina’s kindness stands in stark contrast to Micah’s cruelty. Bryce informs Hunt that Ithan will stay with them indefinitely to protect him from Sabine. When alone, Hunt warns Ithan not to trouble Bryce, but Ithan counters that Hunt’s relationship with Bryce is still new compared to Connor’s long-standing love for her. At work, Bryce feels the loss of her old job at the magical art gallery, which was destroyed during the attack on Crescent City. She still mourns her friend Lehabah’s sacrifice to save Bryce and Syrinx. Seeking work, she contacts her former boss, Jesiba, who urges her to consider her betrothal to Cormac, a Fae Crown Prince. Jesiba suggests that marrying him could enhance her power. Cormac later visits Bryce at the Fae Archives, claiming that their union is fated, prophesied by an Oracle. However, Bryce rejects the idea of marrying him or living among the traditionalist Avallen Fae.
Meanwhile, Hunt and his fellow angels meet their new governor, Celestina, whose kindness and leadership style are in stark contrast to Micah’s cruelty, making Hunt suspicious. When Sandriel’s notorious warriors, Pollux Antonius and Baxian Argos, arrive, Hunt’s past comes rushing back, and he attacks Pollux in fury. As a result, Hunt is detained, and Bryce bails him out, unfazed by Pollux’s insults. Surprisingly, Baxian expresses approval of Micah’s demise. Meanwhile, Tharion, a mer who prefers land, investigates emails between Sofie Renast and Danika, discovering secrets about Danika’s hidden past. Tharion uncovers leads on a missing boy named Emile, finding evidence that Pippa Spetsos and her squadron are pursuing him. Seeking answers, Tharion approaches Bryce, who is shocked by Danika’s secret history and wants to help, despite Hunt’s warnings that any involvement with the rebels risks their lives and her family’s safety. Ruhn telepathically advises Bryce to let Ithan stay with him instead, leading Bryce to decide to have Ithan sleep in the lounge.
As Ithan’s wounds heal, Bryce suspects that Hunt is uneasy about her decision to help Tharion. The next morning, Bryce’s mother calls, hurt by the news of her supposed engagement to Cormac, though Bryce insists it isn’t real. Later, Bryce meets Juniper and Fury to discuss Ithan and Tharion’s findings. Fury reveals that Danika was a bloodhound, a dangerous ability that allowed her to scent bloodlines, making her invaluable. Bryce is stunned by how little she knew about her best friend. Meanwhile, Celestina assigns Hunt to work with Baxian, forcing him to confront painful memories of his failed rebellion with Shahar against Sandriel, which led to Shahar’s execution and his own enslavement. Baxian taunts Hunt for changing but hints that he did not serve Sandriel by choice. Pollux, meanwhile, misses his lover, the Hind, though Baxian clarifies that Pollux does not love her—he only seeks to control her, a notion that Hunt finds hard to believe, as the Hind is known to be nearly unstoppable.
At Bryce’s apartment, Ruhn and Bryce find Tharion and Ithan talking on the couch, with a white cat nearby—Aidas, the Prince of the Chasm. Aidas reveals that Bryce’s powers originate from Theia, the last Starborn Queen, not her father. Bryce, not Ruhn, is the rightful heir to the Starsword and must prepare for an impending war. Aidas further exposes the dark truth about their lineage: Pelias, their supposed ancestor, was a usurper who killed Theia and forced her daughter into marriage. He urges Bryce to take up the fight, revealing that Hel is actually supporting the rebels against the Asteri. Before vanishing, Aidas signals the arrival of a rebel ally—Cormac Donnall, secretly Agent Silverbow.
Cormac stuns the group with his involvement in the Ophion rebel faction. He’s searching for his girlfriend, Sofie, who was executed for uncovering vital secrets about the Asteri. Sofie’s body is missing, and her brother Emile is on the run from Pippa Briggs, a ruthless rebel leader. Cormac and Bryce strike a deal: he will help her unlock her powers, and she will assist in locating Sofie and Emile. To keep her father from forcing her into marriage, they agree to pretend to be engaged. Meanwhile, Cormac privately asks Ruhn to contact the elusive rebel spy, Agent Daybright.
Bryce and Hunt discuss the war, with Hunt reluctant to fight again. Bryce insists that they were never meant for a normal life, convincing him to help rescue Emile. Meanwhile, Ithan, playing with Danika’s sword, accidentally breaks Bryce’s coffee table and discovers hidden documents—Danika’s research on the origins of their world, the Asteri, and firstlight. Among them is a mysterious blank page titled Dusk’s Truth.
Ruhn meets with Cormac, who reveals that Sofie had been in contact with Agent Daybright, a high-ranking rebel spy with direct access to the Asteri. Ruhn must use his mind-speaking abilities to reach Daybright, as their intel could prevent countless deaths. The rebellion also needs information on a government weaponized mech-suit prototype designed to crush rebel forces.
Elsewhere, Tharion dodges romantic advances from the River Queen’s daughter by suggesting a double date with Bryce and Hunt. Hunt, now dealing with the presence of Baxian and Pollux under Celestina’s orders, struggles with memories of fallen comrades. Meanwhile, Bryce and Hunt share a passionate moment but hold back due to Ithan’s presence.
That night, Hunt has a dream where he encounters Apollion, the Prince of the Pit, who killed an Asteri and is feared as the Star-Eater. Apollion claims Hunt and Bryce have the potential for extraordinary power and urges him to seek it out. Hunt awakens, determined to protect Bryce from the looming threats.
Ruhn confides in his friends, Flynn and Declan, about his mission and uses a crystal to project his mind to Daybright, a mysterious woman cloaked in light, who names him Night to protect his identity. She delivers a message for Cormac and prefers to communicate with Ruhn mentally rather than via radio. Meanwhile, Celestina summons her triarii to her residence, raising Hunt’s suspicions. She reveals that Pollux was caught assaulting a Faun and was beaten by Baxian, but the Asteri prevented her from punishing him. To divert media attention, they have ordered Celestina to mate with the archangel Ephraim. In private, she acknowledges Bryce’s engagement to Cormac and tells Hunt she once tried but failed to buy his freedom. Hunt warns her to be cautious as dangerous figures will attend her mating ceremony. Elsewhere, Ithan joins Tharion in searching for Sofie and Emile, discovering the tortured body of a selkie who likely helped Emile escape. Meanwhile, Ruhn and Bryce travel to the Aux training facility, but Ruhn is attacked by Reapers and dragged into a sewer. Daybright urges him to wake, and Bryce fights off the Reapers using starlight, with unexpected help from Cormac. Bryce wields the Starsword to kill a Reaper, a feat thought impossible. Later, Tharion faces punishment from the Istros River Queen for inviting her daughter to Lunathion and is ordered to find Emile quickly.
Ruhn visits the Autumn King to learn more about the Starsword but keeps Bryce’s role in killing the Reaper a secret. The king reveals the sword’s unique origin and implies Bryce should be eliminated for her growing power, a notion Ruhn resents. Meanwhile, Bryce, Hunt, and Cormac discuss teleportation and plan to use Declan’s tech skills to find Emile. Bryce also seeks Death Marks from Jesiba to access the Bone Quarter, though Jesiba warns her that Danika’s soul is not there. Bryce and Hunt search the Meat Market for Emile, joined by Fury and Juniper, who struggles with memories of her brother’s death in the district. Failing to find Emile, Bryce and Hunt grow closer and declare each other as mates, a deep commitment in Fae culture. Ruhn continues meeting with Daybright, who provides intel for Cormac about an imminent attack on the Spine. Hunt later arranges a private getaway for himself and Bryce, but first, they plan to visit the Bone Quarter for clues about Sofie, following Danika’s hint that Sofie might have hidden there.
As Bryce and Hunt prepare to journey to the Bone Quarter, they are confronted by Baxian, who suspects their intentions but is dismissed. Dropping their Death Marks, a mysterious boat arrives and transports them across the river, where they are met by the Under-King. He denies knowledge of Sofie and Emile’s whereabouts and shocks Bryce with the revelation that there is no true afterlife; instead, souls are consumed by the stone archway or himself. Realizing the Under-King has no intention of letting them leave, Bryce draws the Starsword. He summons a massive black dog called the Shepherd, which attacks them. Meanwhile, Cormac, Ruhn, and Ithan have a dangerous encounter with Mordoc, a bloodhound who can sense their presence, forcing Cormac to teleport them away. Ithan reveals that Mordoc is Danika’s father, stunning Ruhn. Back in the Bone Quarter, Bryce and Hunt fight the Shepherd, but Bryce loses the Starsword. As Hunt defends her, Bryce channels lightning through the sword, unleashing a powerful explosion. Hunt, injured and thrown into the Dead Gate, absorbs its firstlight energy and redirects it to Bryce, allowing her to defeat their enemies. They escape with the help of Tharion, who warns them of the Hind’s arrival in Crescent City.
Later, the Hind and the Harpy confront Ruhn and Ithan at a bar, revealing their knowledge of their activities and taunting Ithan about his feelings for Bryce. Returning home, Ruhn senses something different about Bryce, while Hunt is summoned to formally welcome Ephraim. Bryce shares the horrifying truth about the afterlife with Ruhn and Ithan. Just as they process the revelation, Sabine storms in, furious that Bryce is sheltering Ithan. As tensions rise, Hunt arrives, followed by Baxian, who asserts his dominance and diffuses the situation. He reveals Mordoc’s terrifying past, including his connection to Danika.
Ruhn feels at ease during his conversation with Day, sharing that he informed Forvos about the mech-suit prototype on the train, despite nearly being caught by Mordoc, the Hind, and the Harpy. Day, who reveals her own struggles with difficult people, confides in Ruhn that she has never had a true friend, despite coming from an influential family. This leads Ruhn to deduce she can't be an Asteri, as they don't have families. Day suggests Ruhn use his power to further the rebellion, but he avoids the suggestion. Meanwhile, Ithan plans to visit the Bone Quarter to meet Connor and seeks Tharion’s help. As they travel to Istros, Ithan reflects on his past feelings for Bryce, having once been in love with her, though now he’s accepted that he cares only for her happiness. Tharion discourages the Bone Quarter visit, suggesting they consult the mystics instead.
Bryce becomes upset when Juniper isn’t promoted to principal dancer, and in her attempt to help, secretly calls the director to promote her friend. Hunt, reprimanded by Celestina for leaving during Ephraim's welcome, is ordered to stay at the barracks for two weeks. The Hind questions him about his ties to Ithan, Ruhn, and Tharion, but Hunt refuses to engage. Bryce, still disturbed by her trip to the mystics with Tharion and Ithan, joins them on a quest to find answers. The mystics, who travel to other dimensions in search of answers, reveal Connor’s soul is still in the Bone Quarter. However, when Thanatos, the Prince of Hel, intervenes, the mystics are nearly killed. Ithan manages to save them, and Bryce, furious with Tharion for suggesting the mystics, threatens to never work with him again.
Bryce is soon drawn into the complexities of her relationships and the secrets of the Asteri as she navigates a series of tense encounters. She meets Mordoc and is struck by his resemblance to Danika, yet she hides her unease. At the barracks, Hunt bonds with Baxian, and they realize they share more similarities than they initially thought. Meanwhile, Declan uncovers footage of Danika's interest in a book, "Wolves Through Time: Lineage of the Shifters." This leads Bryce to seek out Danika's grandfather, the wolf Prime, who reveals that some wolves, including Danika’s ancestors, once served the Asteri, giving up their true nature in the process.
As Bryce continues to learn about her late friend’s secret life, she uncovers more about her family and the ongoing conflict between the rebels and the empire. She also learns that Sabine kicked Ithan out, and in the process, begins to hear whispers of a successful rebel operation. As plans form to prevent Pippa’s attack on the Vanir at Coronal Islands, Bryce is determined to help, preparing to join the mission with Hunt’s assistance.
Despite her good intentions, Bryce's attempt to help Juniper backfires when others perceive Juniper’s promotion as a result of Bryce’s influence. Tensions rise between the two, leaving Bryce regretting her decision and deciding to give Juniper space. Meanwhile, Bryce arranges for Hunt’s release from the barracks, though Celestina, the Governor, seems uncomfortable with their relationship. When Bryce reunites with Hunt, they’re confronted by Pollux, who mocks her, but she stands tall and confidently responds.
Ithan’s journey also unfolds, as he receives an offer from the Prime to lead his own pack, but his focus remains on rescuing the mystics. His investigation leads him to discover that the mystic woman he’s seeking is actually an Alpha wolf who was sold as a pup. Desperate to help her, Ithan eventually steals the Astronomer’s ring box, a key piece to the mystery.
Ruhn’s complicated relationship with Day deepens as she shares why she had sex with a man she hated, and he becomes concerned for her safety. Meanwhile, Tharion is summoned by the River Queen to meet Pippa, though she refuses to provide backup for the mission. As the group moves forward, Cormac teleports Bryce, Ruhn, Hunt, and Tharion to Ydra, an island in the Coronal Islands where a ship is unloading cargo. Cormac urges the Ophion Command to keep weapons away from Pippa, fearing they’ll be used for destruction. Rebels bring out a new prototype of a mech suit, infused with gorsian stone, capable of draining energy and disabling Vanir forces. The suit, like a nuclear bomb, could wreak havoc on the empire. Pippa, though, wants it for her own vendetta against the Vanir.
As the group witnesses the fallout from the rebel attack, Bryce becomes curious about Pippa's obsession with Emile, only to learn that the child no longer serves any purpose now that they have the prototype. The team is faced with further violence as a group of mer sympathetic to the rebels is massacred to silence leaks. Bryce and the team agree to destroy the suit, with Hunt using his lightning and Tharion flooding the ammo trucks to disable it. However, the group’s escape is interrupted when Cormac is shot, and Bryce uses her light to blind the rebels, allowing them to flee. On their way out, they are warned by Baxian to change course, and they head north.
The group soon faces even greater danger as Tharion spots the Hind, the Harpy, and Pollux on the cliffs, possibly armed with torpedoes and snipers. Tharion acts quickly, urging everyone to jump into the water, where he uses his magic to propel them away just as a torpedo hits their boat. The Hind demands their surrender, claiming to have a stone given to Sofie before her death. As the Hind closes in, a massive, invisible ship rescues them, revealing it to be the Ocean Queen's camouflaged vessel. Commander Sendes explains her ships help the rebellion without the Asteri’s knowledge. Cormac, recovering from surgery, speaks about Sofie’s body being held on the Depth Charger, and Bryce vows to make the killers pay.
Though the Ocean Queen’s neutrality is confirmed, she expresses her desire to overthrow the Asteri, although Tharion is skeptical. Later, Ithan arrives with the Astronomer’s ring box containing trapped fire sprites, one of whom, Ariadne, is revealed to be a dragon. The sprites explain their slavery, and Ariadne shares the abuse they suffered at the hands of the Astronomer. Bryce, feeling for their plight, vows to find a way to free them, with Ariadne hinting at Connor’s involvement.
As tensions rise, Bryce and Hunt visit Cormac, who believes their powers are linked due to their bond as mates. Sendes reveals Sofie’s body was rescued by her ships, but there’s confusion over who signaled for the rescue. Cormac is devastated by the news, and Sendes further reveals the Ocean Queen and River Queen’s rivalry. Meanwhile, Ruhn and Day’s complicated relationship continues to develop, as she reveals that Pippa’s vendetta is now personal.
Back at her apartment, Bryce reflects on the events unfolding around her, and Hunt recalls Pippa's reference to Emile being chased by the Vanir. Bryce admits that she sent Emile to the Viper Queen for protection. In the Meat Market, the Viper Queen reveals Emile as a sickly child with no special powers, a decision Bryce made to protect him. Though Hunt is angry, he respects Bryce’s dedication, and they leave the Viper Queen’s lair, where Bryce arranges for Emile to be taken to her parents for safety.
The events culminate with Bryce’s complicated relationship with her father, the Autumn King, who announces that he is legally changing her name to Bryce Danaan, solidifying her royal status. This move comes with further consequences, leaving Bryce feeling trapped by her father’s control. As tensions with Cormac rise, Bryce seeks advice from Hypaxia, another princess who shares her experiences with her own father’s manipulation.
In a moment of clarity, Hypaxia suggests Bryce leverage her position to escape her betrothal to Cormac, while also revealing her own strained relationship with her half-sister, the Hind, and the complex power dynamics at play within her family. As Bryce and Hunt make up, they prepare for the upcoming masque ball, where Bryce will publicly reject her father’s control and assert her bond with Hunt. At the ball, they steal the spotlight with a grand entrance, and Bryce calls Hunt “Prince” in front of everyone, declaring their relationship openly, despite the Autumn King's anger.
Ruhn’s efforts to locate Day are interrupted by the Hind’s cold demeanor and his growing concern for her safety. As the night progresses, Bryce and Hunt find themselves in an unexpected confrontation with Celestina and Hypaxia, who share a passionate embrace. Celestina warns Hunt of the dangers of love, especially when it’s used as a trap. Meanwhile, Tharion, attending the ball with the River Queen’s daughter, grows tired of his engagement and begins to flirt with a leopard-shifter, contemplating his next move.
Hypaxia later performs a ritual to summon Connor, only for the Under-King to arrive instead. His presence signifies a dangerous turn of events, as he warns them that cooperation is essential for Connor’s safety. However, Hypaxia refuses to work with him, leading to a deadly confrontation with creatures called hunting hounds of the House of Flame and Shadow.
Bryce's dreams take a dark turn when Apollion, the Prince of the Pit, reveals startling truths about her family's history, offering her the chance to join him in his war against the Asteri. She refuses, leaving with a cryptic invitation to find him in Hel when she’s ready to learn more.
Back in the waking world, Bryce shares the encounter with Apollion with Hunt, Ruhn, Tharion, Declan, and Cormac, though she holds back certain details. Cormac teaches her how to teleport, though Bryce struggles with her energy reserves. Declan theorizes that Bryce’s power works similarly to the Death Gate in the Bone Quarter, absorbing and depleting energy.
With tensions rising, Ithan and Hypaxia narrowly escape the Under-King’s traps, bringing an ultimatum: Bryce must meet him at Urd’s temple or face dire consequences for the Pack of Devils. Tharion, meanwhile, seeks out the Viper Queen for protection and discovers a dragon at the Meat Market. As the stakes grow ever higher, Bryce and her team prepare for a final showdown in the Crystal Palace.
Amid plans and schemes, Bryce, Hunt, and Ruhn infiltrate the palace, with Cormac and Tharion carrying out a raid to buy them time. As Bryce prepares to enter the Crystal Palace, the group is faced with an uncertain future, where old alliances and new betrayals may determine their fates.
Bryce uses Hunt’s power to teleport into the Archives, where she is greeted by a long hallway with a glowing crystal floor and pipes running up to the ceiling. Each pipe is connected to a plaque and a screen showing the power levels of different Asteri, revealing that the Asteri consume firstlight—an energy source they drain from the souls of the dead to survive. This energy also fuels the Crystal Palace. Bryce realizes that if the rebellion can cut off the Asteri’s access to firstlight, they could destroy them. While exploring the Asteri’s archives, she discovers maps documenting the planets they have conquered and enslaved. She learns that the Asteri’s true purpose is to use these worlds for bio-fuel, with magical creatures providing the most energy. She uncovers the truth behind Midgard's colonization and the Asteri’s predatory nature, with the Asteri even preventing the souls of the dead from reaching the afterlife. As Bryce searches for the Asteri’s home planet, Rigelus reveals that the Asteri have forgotten their origins, and the rebellion’s struggle is far from over. Meanwhile, Ruhn is captured by Mordoc while Cormac wreaks havoc at a lab, ultimately sacrificing himself in an explosion. Bryce decides to teleport back to Hunt, only to find him captured as well. They are brought to the dungeons, where Mordoc reveals he’s been following them for Rigelus. Just as Ruhn faces torture, the Hind, a powerful ally, intervenes, revealing herself to be Lidia Cervos, Hypaxia’s half-sister and a key agent in the rebellion. She helps them escape, but Pollux, her lover, arrives, revealing the dangerous lengths she’s gone to maintain her cover. Bryce, Hunt, and Ruhn are taken to the throne room, where Rigelus plans to use Bryce’s power to open the Rifts. However, Bryce and the others manage to overpower Rigelus and make an escape, with Bryce teleporting to Hel. There, she finds herself in a strange world, where she meets a group of Fae and learns the world is not Hel as she thought. Bryce then encounters a man named Rhysand, who resembles Ruhn, and is left to plead for their help to save her home world.
Thanks Super Summary
Comments