Willa informs Raelle that she's healed. Raelle says goodbye to Willa and returns to the world above. Willa cautions Raelle that The Mother will call on Raelle at the end but gives no explanation.

Thelma tells the rest of the council about her militia. Scylla gathers Tally and Mac's Dodgers. Anacostia, Abigail, and Adil hope to contact Horse through another marshal. Thelma gets ambushed by the two Camarilla spies on the council. The marshal is distracted by an invasion force at his border. The wards come down.

Thelma attempts to get Millie to see the error of her ways. Tally's scrying sees the council in danger. Alder visits a Madrid antiques dealer named Santos who is Camarilla. The marshall is killed by the task force leader. Abigail and Adil choose to ignore Anacostia's orders and attack.

Tally informs Scylla of her apocalyptic vision about Raelle. Adil uses his power to flip an Army truck then a cloaked Abigail snaps the leader's neck. Abigail gives an inspiration speech to the cadets from atop the overturned truck.

Tally and Scylla rescue the council. Santos tells Alder the stewards for the last two parts of the First Song are lost. After Santos tries to stab her, Alder hangs him. Scylla disguises herself as Thelma and is captured to allow the others to escape. Raelle comes out of the mycelium to kill a Camarilla special-forces soldier and save Tally.

Raelle is still weak. A disguised Nicte meets with Anacostia at a diner. Abigail and Adil enlist in Thelma's militia. Then Abigail sees Raelle and runs to her. Alder recruits Tally to see into the past, telling her the First Song is the only thing that might be more powerful than the Witch Bomb. Scylla learns Raelle has returned.