Poppy is restless as her group camps near the Blood Forest, two days away from Carsodonia. Sitting outside the tent, she feels an unsettling presence but dismisses it as her imagination.

Despite her growing hunger, she’s reluctant to drink Kieran’s blood. Eventually, she admits she needs to feed, and he reassures her that it’s okay. He cuts himself, and Poppy drinks blood from the wound. She sees flashes of Kieran’s memories, including moments from his and Casteel’s childhood and a memory of him watching her and Casteel have a sensual moment on the beach. Kieran teases her about it, but she brushes it off. Poppy heals his wound and, finally feeling relaxed, she falls asleep beside him in his wolven form.

Poppy and her group travel through the Western Pass. They encounter a group of soldiers and attempt to pass as Huntsmen transporting whiskey. However, the lieutenant recognizes Poppy as the Harbinger. Poppy kills the lieutenant, and the group is forced to fight the rest of the soldiers. She uses her Primal essence to kill several Royal Guards. However, she is hit by an arrow made of shadowstone, which weakens her.

Millicent also appears, accompanied by Revenants.