Colt appears in Shadow, his pain still fresh from the cut on his arm. The reflection of the abandoned store is dusty and decayed with small rat spirits lurking in the shadows. Gory chunks of spirits lay scattered about for later feeding. The Toll Toad squats in the darkness unaware of the intrusion. Colt quickly hides. As Valkyrie enters Shadow she also tried to hide, but the massive toad hears her. The two try to distract the creature, shooting it and slashing at it with an enchanted sword. In return it devours their Mana. Adele retreats and attempts to rouse the rats to aid in the fight. Meanwhile Colt and Valkyrie manage to disable its Mana draining tongue. As it grapples with Colt, Valkyrie throws objects at it. Eventually Colt is able to shoot its eyes, blinding it. Then Adele's rats devour the spirit as they watch.
As they explore the mall, they find it a scary and confusing place. Narrow dirty corridors are lined with dens filled with garish displays of products. At the position of the Christmas display, they find greed spirits gathered about a wounded and weary holiday spirit, like vultures about a dying animal. Colt drives them off and Adele attempts to help and calm the frightened spirit. As they are distracted, a Hispanic teenager with a skateboard appears. The youth introduces himself as Miguel Silvereye and warns them of the dangers of this place. After they reveal the death of the Toll Toad he is surprised and interested to learn more.
They leave Shadow (Miguel using the locus to step sideways) and go to a late night diner. There they talk some more. The mages realize Miguel is a shapeshifter with magical powers. In turn they reveal they are mystics with an interest in the spirit world. Miguel tells them him and his gang of mortals claim the mall as part of their territory and had previously drove off the rats that created the verge. He thanks them for destroying the Toll Toad and indicates he'll deal with the verge. He also shows interest in Adele. He agrees to help Adele and Colt in their efforts to counter the resonance of greed.
While at the Promethean, Councilor Pispir approaches Mammon. Pispir talks to Mammon about his plans, attempting to pull him away from Athaliah. He tries to points out how his legacy can help Mammon to conquer his inner demons and how materialism can lead to sorrow. He also claims Athaliah's demon trafficking ways will lead to danger and that her legacy is contrary to Wisdom. On the way out to meet Cicero, Mammon runs into Cornerstone, Herald for the city. The old man was also interested in the Chicago Workings Folio as was the Councilor Dearborn. Mammon thanks him for his offer and says he will consider it.
Meanwhile Colt is questioned by a police detective investigating the strange happenings in November. Detective Nicholas Green asks him about Simon Ellsworth and whether he had enemies. He notes the defacement of Burgess's tomb and one of his firm's properties. He also asks if Colt knows anything about Ellsworth's nurse Richard who is missing. Colt tells him what he can without implicating himself.
With the current business behind them, the group meets with Cicero. He offers to aid them with finding a Hallow in exchange with for the Chicago Workings Folio. They quiz him on his intentions and about his past. In the end they tell him they will think it over.
Later the group decides that since others are making the assumption that they are a cabal already, that they should decide if this is the route they want to take. They decide they need to form a cabal and begin deciding what their goals and name will be...