Chapter #31 begins in the cottage, where Aunt Zelda is telling Jenna about how it is the Dark of the Moon, a night where no one would see the moon in the sky. The next morning, Stanley decided that he was strong enough to depart the cottage. The chapter ends as Stanley arrives back at the Message Rat Office and is captured by the Supreme Custodian.
In Chapter #32, the author describes the Big Thaw, which defrosts the frozen wasteland that the Big Freeze created. At Aunt Zelda’s cottage, the Marsh Python has broken through the ice that has thawed on the Mott. In the Castle, Simon has escaped from the Supreme Custodian. He is found by Alther, who brings him to the Hole in The Wall tavern to wait for Silas. The story then transitions back to the cottage, where Zelda has sensed the Hunter coming and the inhabitants of the cottage are preparing the Shield Bugs. While they are getting the bugs ready, the Boggart returns from his swim, badly hurt. The chapter ends as Zelda breaks the news that the Boggart has been shot.
Chapter #33 begins as Zelda tries to heal the Boggart. Outside, Jenna, Nicko, and Boy 412 brought the Preserve Pots (the jars that held the Shield Bugs) outside the cottage to keep watch for the Hunter. The chapter ends as the Hunter’s canoe arrives at the cottage.
In Chapter #34, Jenna, Nicko, and Boy 412 observe the canoe and notice that the Hunter is not alone- he has DomDaniel’s Apprentice and a Thing with him. Jenna, Nicko, and Boy 412 release the Shield Bugs, but the Hunter outwits them. Boy 412 escapes with Jenna before the Hunter can shoot, and the Hunter runs after them. The chapter ends as Boy 412 says the first words he has said since Marcia’s rooms in the Wizard Tower and escapes with Jenna into the hole where he found the ring.
In Chapter #35, Jenna and Boy 412 are in the hole. As they walk through the tunnel, Jenna recognizes the underground place from her dreams. The chapter ends as Jenna finds a large, egg-like stone with a green hue, she gives it to Boy 412 as a gift.