Raeve joins Essi in their shared home, where Essi is etching runes on ore to create a diamond cap for Raeve’s tooth. The diamond crown will emit an invisible, impenetrable protective barrier around Raeve’s head and chest. Unfortunately, there was a spot of Tarik’s blood on the part of the parchment lark containing Essi’s most important ingredient—spangle poop. Thus, Raeve was not able to obtain it from the Undercity.

Raeve instructs Essi not to go into the Undercity on her own for a supply of it. When Raeve does not seem concerned about being a target for Rekk Zharos, Essi becomes emotional, which makes Raeve uncomfortable. Raeve has avoided all deep emotional attachments since Fallon, and though she cares for Essi, she intends to keep her distance to avoid the same heartbreak should something happen to her, too.

After retreating to her room, Raeve grabs a box she keeps hidden and opens it to reveal Nee—a parchment lark containing three words, “I need you,” which was wrongly delivered to Raeve five years ago. Though Raeve attempted to send Nee away to find the person she was meant for, she never left Raeve’s side. Since then, Raeve has found immense comfort in Nee’s presence.