The seven-member Council of the Great River arrives to hear the Unit's testimony. Nicte plans to escape when the wards get dropped. Anacostia saved Sterling from his stab wound. Tally tells Abigail about her vision of Raelle's witch bomb destroying the world. Abigail says that they're just missing Raelle. The Council summons the Unit. Adil greets each member in their native tongue. They are informed that the Council already has decided to send them back to the U.S. Council members don't believe that Camarilla exist in The Cession. Anacostia enchants one of the lab workers, who attacks the other and the pair kill each other. The unit's arguments nullify the Council's unanimity. Scylla proposes that the Council help them get out of The Cession so they can go to California. Alder and Khalida are hiding out in the cabin where Alder grew up. Alder and Khalida recall their parents' killings by the Camarilla. The Council agrees to let the fugitives leave The Cession but they can never return. This applies to Raelle as well. Three Camarilla attempt to surprise the fugitives, who are wearing spell-cancelling collars, but they end up dead. The fugitives come face to face with Hearst and his witch's voicebox. He gets the drop on the powerless witches. Thelma returns to find dead guards. Thelma bursts in and knocks down Hearst. He runs when she stops to remove Abigail's collar. Adil uses the mushroom Khalida gave him to summon her but Alder comes instead. Hearst has Raelle's dad Edwin as a hostage. Alder arrives and eliminates all of Hearst's thugs so he escapes again. Anacostia and Sterling stay to investigate the Camarilla facility. Alder collapses because of the poison being used against the mycelium. Anacostia and Sterling find a training ground full of a Camarilla army.