The city is abuzz about the coming election of a new Councilor. The cabal however has other crises to avert.
Valkyrie decides to send Mammon to talk to Zio. She wants to learn what secrets he has learned about the Iron Hand so she can stop Lealtad from starting a war or getting herself killed. The prospect of using Lealtad as a deniable assassin is tempting to Mammon and the dark voice in the back of his head.
Mammon contacts Zio who is eager to talk to him. In fact he has a deal he wants to make. He freely tells Mammon that he has evidence on Red Thunder's connection to the Seers of the Throne. The cabal is aware of the connection but not the proof. As for the deal, Zio offers Mammon a burnt and battered book on demonology in exchange for access to the cabal's geomancy library. Mammon examines the book. He recalls it from Athaliah’s library prior to the explosion. It documents the summoning of demons, specifically the one she obtained her legacy from. He agrees to discuss it with his cabal.
They discuss Zio's offer. No one particularly likes the idea. Most of them question the true source of the book. Then again they have no real objections.
Mammon asks Zio to find the history of them book. The search reveals a series of transactions: the book being blow from Athaliah's sanctum as it was destroyed, it being pulled from the debris by a homeless man, the book being sold to a bookstore, and Zio purchasing the book from there. With no signs of foul play, Mammon makes the deal with Zio.
Meanwhile elsewhere in the city Quick is having second thoughts about running in the election. He is worried about his cabal and the workload. Valkyrie and Colt believe in him and the Thyrsus manages to convince him to run. He tells him that his being Councilor will be good for his cabal. He also advises him to pick new provost perhaps Tibbs or Binary.
The Councilium is then rocked by news that Decima, former Heirarch, intends to run for Councilor. In the meantime, Colt looks into whether Red Thunder has entered the city without permission. He finds no evidence.
Arachne however does notice that she is being followed by members of the Mysterium and Guardians of the Veil. She tells Colt and her guardian looks into it. He quickly realizes that this must be related to the ongoing inquisition of the Mysterium. He traces the foreign Mystagogues and confronts the eldest, Ishmael, at his favorite nut shop.
They talk and Colt and he come to an understanding. Colt tells him all he wants to learn about Arachne. Convinced that the investigation is complete there, they part amicably.
Meanwhile rumors of Decima’s misdeed begin to spread among the mages of the city. Dr. Ahmed's fate is discussed as well as a prophecy.
Spring clad in fire and anarchy,
Summer knights laid low by a corpse,
Fall pentacle wars the throne,
Spring heralds the final decay,
Then the city by the backward river,
Is awash in Supernal madness,
A new star shines in the heavens.
The city's mages are concerned and scared by the possibility of 'supernal madness'.
At the same time Athaliah confronts Mammon about his willing possession. She is shocked he joined with a spirit and warns him that his political career is in jeopardy. She advises him to have his aura shielded.
Adele find herself trailed by the Guardians of the Veil. She easily locates them and does some counter spying of her own. But in the end she knows they will discover her connection to Midas. She asks Merlin for his advice. He figures that the only real connection is himself. Reluctantly she only releases her familiar, sending him to find her father.
The date of the election arrives. Almost 70 mages crowd into the council chambers. As the ballot box is prepared the cabal socializes. Mammon talks to the candidates convincing each that he is one their side. Adele meanwhile talks with members of the Mysterium. She learns from Lindenbrock that Virgil has sent away his students after a realization about his legacy. She endeavours to meet one of them. Valkyrie interacts with high ranking members of the other orders. Inadvertently she convinces Vespa vote for Binary due to the Libertines fears of the prophecy. Colt meanwhile mends his relations with the Arrow. He manages to reconcile with Kensai.
The ballots are placed. Colt, Mammon, and Valkyrie vote for Quick, while Adele votes for Binary. The votes are evenly split for the most part. Despite bucking tradition Binary manages 9 votes. Decima, hampered by the rumors, only gets 13. Carnegie, the Mysterium's lack luster candidate, manages 15 by dint of association. Cornerstone gets 16 votes to Quick's 17. Quick keeps his job. Then he surprises all of them by appointing Binary his provost.
Zio brings the matter of Red Thunder before the Council. They decide to send Cornerstone to notify Black Dog of this information. Then Zio asks the Council for a private session. As he whispers something to the Councilors expressions of shock cross the faces of some members. Mammon and Colt are able to make out something about left handed works by someone close to the council. They adjourn for a private session.
Rumors and fears make their way among the mages outside. When the council returns they send away all mages not connected to the council. However Colt is instructed to keep Adele and Valkyrie present as possible witnesses. Realizing what is up, Mammon begins to plan his accusation that Zio is in league with the Abyss to distract from his own deeds.