Yrene storms into the Torre, agitated after discovering her and Chaol’s room ransacked, sensing their investigation into ancient secrets has drawn dangerous attention. Clutching a mysterious scroll and a locket from Chaol, she confronts Hafiza, the Healer on High, in her workshop. Their conversation quickly shifts from playful teasing about Yrene’s romantic involvement with Chaol to the gravity of their discoveries. Yrene reveals their theory that the healers of the Torre may have been strategically placed to combat the Valg, a demonic force threatening their world, hinting at a deeper, hidden history.

Hafiza’s demeanor shifts from amusement to alarm as Yrene explains the scope of the threat—demons amassing on their continent, far beyond human adversaries. Yrene presents the scroll, hoping Hafiza can decipher its cryptic language, but the Healer on High admits she cannot read it. However, Hafiza recalls a locked cabinet containing ancient tomes marked with similar symbols, long deemed too dangerous for human eyes. The revelation suggests the scroll and these forbidden texts may hold critical knowledge worth killing to suppress.

Yrene presses Hafiza to consider sending the scroll and locked books to Aelin Galathynius, who can read the mysterious Wyrdmarks. Hafiza hesitates, weighing the risks of unleashing such knowledge against the urgency of the looming threat. The chapter underscores the tension between preserving dangerous secrets and acting to prevent catastrophe, as Yrene argues time is running out. Hafiza’s internal conflict mirrors the broader stakes: the healers’ legacy may be pivotal in the coming war.

The chapter closes with Hafiza retreating into thought, leaving Yrene anxious for a decision. The encounter highlights the Torre’s hidden role in a larger conflict, blending personal stakes with epic consequences. Yrene’s determination to uncover the truth clashes with Hafiza’s caution, setting the stage for a pivotal choice that could alter their world’s fate. The narrative weaves together mystery, romance, and impending doom, deepening the intrigue around the healers’ origins and their potential weapon against the Valg.

The chapter begins with Yrene ascending the Torre steps, clutching a scroll and a warm locket, both symbols of the dangerous secrets they are uncovering. The atmosphere is tense, as the recent destruction of her room indicates that someone is actively trying to hide or destroy vital information related to their investigations. The threat is heightened by the suspicion that their enemies are closing in on their discoveries, which pertain to hidden forces and ancient secrets connected to the healers and the origins of a mysterious civilization. Yrene’s cautious demeanor reflects the gravity of their situation, emphasizing the danger posed by their pursuit of truth.

In the Torre, Yrene encounters Hafiza, who is immersed in her alchemical work. Hafiza quickly picks up on the significance of Yrene’s visit, particularly the implications of the locket and the scroll. Their conversation reveals that there is an ongoing secret struggle involving powerful forces, possibly demons and ancient healers, fighting against a demonic threat on their continent. Hafiza’s insights suggest that the healers may have played a pivotal role in history, possibly establishing a hidden civilization far from prying eyes. The dialogue underscores the importance of the scroll Yrene brings, which could hold vital clues about their past and the forces they face.

The narrative then shifts to the discovery of ancient texts and the dangerous knowledge they contain. Hafiza reveals locked books and scrolls inscribed with Wyrdmarks—arcane symbols that are forbidden for humans to read. These texts, stored in a secure, iron-locked cabinet, hint at dangerous knowledge that could threaten the world if misused. Hafiza’s reluctance to open these books underscores the peril of such forbidden knowledge, suggesting that some secrets are best kept hidden. The chapter emphasizes the tension between the pursuit of knowledge and the risks associated with uncovering ancient, powerful magic.

Finally, the chapter concludes with a decision point: whether to risk sharing these dangerous texts with Aelin Galathynius, who might be able to decipher them. Hafiza contemplates the potential dangers and the importance of safeguarding the knowledge, aware that revealing it could have grave consequences. Yrene, understanding the urgency, fears that time is running out in their quest to uncover the truth. The chapter ends on a note of cautious anticipation, highlighting the ongoing struggle to balance the pursuit of truth with the need for secrecy and protection against looming threats.