Mal goes on another hunt, while Alina works tirelessly with her war council. Nikolai hopes to take the fight to the Darkling, but since they can’t find him, they prepare to make a stand at Os Alta, assuming the Darkling will attack from Fjerda or Shu Han. At the Grand Palace, strategy sessions with the king’s advisors rarely lead anywhere. Vasily attends these meetings, frustratingly weighing in on every issue despite his ignorance. Alina familiarizes the Grisha with modern weaponry and shores up the alliance between the First and Second Army.

When Zoya expresses her admiration for Mal, a suspicious Alina confronts her about why her loyalties changed. Zoya tearfully admits that her aunt and niece were in Novokribirsk when the Darkling obliterated the city, and he never warned her that they were in danger. Zoya doesn’t like Alina, but she will fight for Ravka.

Mal invites Alina to a nobleman’s party, suggesting they go in disguise as fortunetellers. At first hesitant, she says yes and feels happy.

The nobleman’s mansion is lavish. Mal, Alina, and Tamar are convincingly dressed as Suli fortunetellers. Mal and Alina flirt and read fortunes, having a good time until a violent fight suddenly breaks out.