Darrow reunites with Dancer, a fellow Red in the Sons of Ares. Dancer tells Darrow his family is safe and explains that Harmony went rogue after spying on Senators and witnessing their depravity. The Sons of Ares’s headquarters was attacked as a result of her actions, and Fitchner killed all the attackers. Mickey was tortured by the Jackal, and while he claims he did not tell the Jackal any information, Darrow worries that the Jackal might have found information in Mickey’s lab. Mickey apologizes to Darrow, but Darrow calls Mickey his friend, praising him for wanting to become a better person.

Fitchner explains he became Ares after his Red wife, Bryn, was killed. They had sought help from a Carver to alter her reproductive system so they could have children, and she was killed when the Golds discovered her alterations. Fitchner did not tell Titus (another Red Carved into Gold) and Darrow about each other so they would not put each other in more danger. Reds, Fitchner explains, must lead the rebellion because Reds understand love “more than any other Color, it is about love amid all the horror of our world” (394).

Fitchner tells Darrow to allow Augustus to adopt him and to help Augustus become the Sovereign.