Chapter 73

Carl's group infiltrates a masquerade party at the castle where crawlers and hunters mingle under a violence-protection seal. Britney successfully steals a Slate Butterfly to disable a warning light, while tensions flare as Eva appears among the hunters and Lucia Mar exhibits unstable behavior. The situation escalates when Signet unexpectedly arrives at the party, transported by Apito herself, disrupting their carefully laid plans.

The chapter opens with Vrah, a giant mantis from the Dark Hive, threatening Carl while he coordinates with Britney to steal a stuffed Slate Butterfly from a guard. The butterfly's special ability allows it to dim lights without triggering magical detection. Britney successfully completes the theft as the guard remains oblivious. Vrah leaves angry after Carl deflects her threats with humor. Carl then discovers Katia in a rage upon seeing Eva, a half-nagini, half-orc half-hunter who has sided with the enemy and now wears hunter gear and armor, bearing 50+ player killer skulls and four hunter-killer marks. Carl, Bautista, and Florin restrain Katia from attacking. When Florin approaches Lucia Mar, a Lajabless present at the party, Carl convinces him to stand down, noting her unpredictable and unstable demeanor. Donut and other crawlers arrive backstage, and Donut complains extensively about the theater's poor construction and design. Theobold, an elf footman, announces the Butcher's Masquerade officially, welcoming both crawlers and hunters to the event under Apito's divine protection against violence. He explains the evening will feature performances, food, and dancing, with Queen Imogen expected to visit. Carl reflects on their backup plans: the Sledge is moving changelings toward the castle's underground entrance to eventually take the sentinel towers and create a docking point for the Twister airship; Gideon's team waits in the woods; and Bomo begins his looting mission. Their original plan to use Signet to force Imogen from the ballroom must be revised since the queen cannot leave once she arrives. As the pet show begins, Zev contacts Carl angrily, warning that someone unexpected has arrived. Signet suddenly appears in the ballroom, claiming Apito herself invited her to the party and transported her there, shocking both Carl and Zev and disrupting their carefully coordinated plans.