All of the Phoenix Fighters are reunited in an idyllic prison where tensions are high between Tranns and Lucien, due in part to Tranns' fierce loyalty to Philip.  Oddly enough, it seems that Casey is missing.  Back in the Phoenix House, Quinn and Casey return from a trip to another realm to find that a band of Niflheim exiles, led by Hesiod, are attempting to return home via the doorway to Niflheim created by Aden when he sent Lex and Insa to rescue Casey from Quinn's trial.  Hesiod, who created Quinn's playing cards and changed his symbol, expects Quinn to join his crusade, but at Casey's behest, Quinn instead manages to rescue Aden and Adriana from the prison.

 

Back in the prison, tempers flare again between Tranns and Lucien, leading to an all out fight.  Meanwhile, Aden, Adriana, and Casey form a plan to destroy the door to Niflheim.  Despite Casey's promise to Quinn to stay put in the nursery, she goes with Aden to the door.  There, they are stopped by Nadine who stabs Casey with a knife.  Aden manages to get her to safety, but quickly realizes that she is dying.  Faced with the prospect of losing her, he makes the decision to find Quinn's playing cards.  Using them the way they were used in Quinn's game of Questions, he transforms Casey into a Niflheim.  The transformation is incomplete as the cards are not a proper substitute for a Carver's staff, but Casey remains alive in deep sleep and everyone retains their memories of her.

 

In the bar, Hesiod's grand speech to Quinn about challenging the old leaders of the Niflheim realm is interrupted by Jaron.  He explains that there's been trouble at the door.  Worried that their chance may have passed, Hesiod declares that it is time to pass through and leaves Quinn with the warning that no mortals will stop them.  At the door, Aden and Adriana attempt to stop the rogue Niflheim again.  Nadine injures both of them but before she can deliver a killing blow, Queen Thea arrives on the scene.  She sweeps Nadine, and her mate Jaron, back to stand trial for the attempted murder of mortals and sends the rest of the rebels someplace where they won't be able to cause trouble.

 

After praising Quinn for making "the right decision," Thea restores the Phoenix Fighters to the House, but all is not well.  Casey reawakens, completely horrified and unable to shut off her new telepathy.  The telepathic voices in her head are driving her mad and Aden, Adriana, and Quinn agree she needs to be removed to recover.  They further decide that the matter will be kept a secret and that Casey will be taught to hide her changed appearance.

 

The aftermath of Nadine's violence continues to rage through the House.  Due to her injuries during the fight, Adriana suffers a blood scare.  Philip is unable to find the baby's heartbeat and Lucien takes it for a miscarriage.  Frustrated beyond measure, he decides that this is a sign that it's time for him to leave Tranns and the Phoenix House as well.  Despite the protestations of everyone, Lucien takes Star and heads out, crossing the Shaldani border.  Unbeknownst to him, however, Adriana did not lose the baby.