On the other side of the shadows, Casey and Quinn find themselves in an invisible cell.  They are greeted by a Shadowman named Aspen who informs them that Quinn has been brought in to stand trial for the murder of the healer.  Although Casey attempts to explain that she was the one who killed him, Quinn silences her.  Aspen leaves to inform the High Carver, who will act as judge.  While he is gone, Quinn warns Casey not to tell the truth because the Niflheim will punish her for the murder.  She is uneasy, but he assures her all will be well.  Back in the House, Aden and Adriana resolve to send a team to rescue Casey.  Given the Shadowman abilities, they agree to send Insa, who has far more mental discipline than anyone else in the House, and Lex, who knows about Casey and Quinn better than anyone else.

 

Queen Thea pays a visit to Casey and Quinn.  Casey tries to explain that there are no witnesses to Quinn murdering the healer, but Thea explains that the trial will be based solely on character witnesses.  Casey's indignance manages to charm Thea.  Meanwhile, Lex and Insa pass through a portal into the land of Niflheim.  Upon arriving, the two of them are met by a confused Shadowman who herds them into an enormous waiting room, filled with girls from dozens of different worlds and races.  They are told to wait and that they are going to be presented as potential wives to a Shadowman prince.

 

Quinn's trial begins the following morning.  Aspen escorts Casey to a booth where she is allowed to watch, realizing to her horror that if Quinn is convincted of the murder, he will be carved out of existence.  The Head Carver, Uri, acting as judge and jury, calls forth character witnesses, including Quinn's mother Blaise, to attest to Quinn's nature.  As Casey watches, they all express the fact that Quinn was once a model citizen, beloved by all the Niflheim, who eventually fell from grace for love of Egime.  The outcome of the trial does not look promising for him.

 

Elsewhere, Lex and Insa escape their waiting room and travel into the heart of the kingdom, looking for Casey and Quinn.  As they walk, they discuss Insa's decision to leave and she admits that she feels she doesn't belong.  They are stopped abruptly by Aspen who catches them out and about.  He herds them back to the waiting room, though he lets slip that the trial is being held in a nearby building.  Back in the waiting room, the girls from all across the universe are assembled to be presented.  Lex and Insa are shuffled into the mix and are shocked to discover that the man they are being presented to is none other than Tristan!