Nesryn awakens to the sensation of Falkan, a small creature, biting at the silk binding her body. Disoriented and nauseous, she finds herself in a dimly lit stone passage, its walls polished and covered in ancient carvings. Nearby lies Sartaq, unconscious and similarly wrapped in silk, his face crusted with blood. As Falkan works to free her, Nesryn scans their surroundings, noting the eerie stillness and the strange, smooth rock formations that suggest they are no longer in the familiar mountain pass.

A menacing spider, larger and darker than the others, emerges and engages Nesryn in conversation. The spider speaks in a lyrical voice, questioning their presence in the forgotten place. Nesryn improvises a story about being sent by a merchant to trade, hoping to buy time as Falkan continues chewing through the silk. The spider dismisses the idea of trade, revealing a disdain for its northern kin who interact with mortals, and instead boasts of its kind’s predatory nature. Nesryn’s hands tremble as she struggles to maintain the ruse, fearing for Sartaq’s life.

The spider reveals that its kind waits for the return of their queen, pointing to a carving on the wall depicting a cloaked figure. As Nesryn squints to make out the details, the spider brushes away dirt to reveal the image of a woman with flowing hair and a dress. The spider declares they await the Queen of the Valg, who is known in this world as Maeve. This revelation shocks Nesryn, as it contradicts the earlier assumption that the spiders served Erawan, another dark figure.

The chapter ends with the spider’s chilling proclamation about Maeve’s return, leaving Nesryn to grapple with the implications. The encounter underscores the spiders’ loyalty to a far more ancient and terrifying power, while Nesryn and Falkan remain trapped in a desperate race against time. The tension builds as the spider’s presence looms, and the carved gate on the wall hints at a looming threat beyond their current predicament.

The chapter opens with Nesryn awakening abruptly, her senses heightened by a sudden, sharp biting sensation. She initially perceives the bites as coming from Falkan, a shifter, but quickly realizes she is restrained in a silk binding within a mysterious, dimly lit environment. The setting is no longer a cave but a polished, carved passage illuminated by moonlight, suggesting an ancient, sacred space. Nesryn’s immediate concern is Sartaq, who remains unconscious, and her instinct to act quickly and find a way out becomes paramount as she gauges her surroundings and her captors.

As Nesryn and Falkan attempt to escape, they encounter a formidable and eerily dark spider-like creature, a kharankui, emerging from the shadows. The creature’s presence is intimidating, and it immediately recognizes Nesryn and Falkan as intruders investigating forgotten places. The spider speaks in a melodious voice, questioning their purpose, revealing that they are seeking information about the traders and the legendary webs—Spiresilk—that the kharankui might possess or guard. Nesryn, under pressure, fabricates a story about a merchant seeking to trade with the kharankui, attempting to buy time while Falkan discreetly chews at the silk bindings.

The dialogue with the spider deepens, exposing the kharankui’s disdain for mortals and their trade practices. The creature dismisses the idea of trading, emphasizing their predatory nature and their desire to consume dreams and years of mortals. Nesryn’s questions reveal that they are in a space where the kharankui wait for someone significant—specifically, the Queen of the Valg, Maeve. Carvings on the walls depict an archway and a cloaked figure, which Nesryn deduces to be the queen, hinting at a powerful, dark figure who commands this place. The kharankui’s attitude underscores their allegiance and anticipation of a dark, inevitable return.

The chapter concludes with the kharankui confirming they are waiting for Maeve, the Queen of the Valg, rather than Erawan or other dark entities. The creature’s disdain for Erawan and its focus on Maeve as their true queen reveal the political and supernatural tensions at play. The scene is charged with foreboding, as Nesryn and her companions realize they are in a nexus of dark power, waiting for a figure who embodies chaos and destruction. This revelation sets the stage for future confrontations and the unfolding of larger, sinister plans involving the Valg and their queen.