Summary

Back in D.C., Imanuel's army meets for the ninth trade where Ory sneaks in and finds the Red King with a pregnant woman that seems to be in labor. He tells Imanuel who thinks he can offer his medical services in exchange for a book of choice. Malik and Naz argue that Imanuel should not go alone, but he tells them to prepare to leave for New Orleans and makes Ory swear not to follow him.

In a recording, Max explains the group stopped at a beautiful lake, but was later chased down and captured by Transcendence. Max wakes up in a cell where a woman apologizes for the other's excitement. While she claims they are not prisoners, she does not let them leave, calling them honored guests.

The narrative shifts to Naz the day Imanuel prepares to meet the Red...