The street gangs have gotten so bad that Mary is almost afraid to go out into the streets, even in the Blood neighborhoods. While landen haven't specifically attacked Strangers yet, she knows that they are generally seen as being on the Queen's side. Mary feels vulnerable, but this is a task that must be done. She's seeing about a flat so that she might be able to move out of the Queen's residence soon.

After viewing the flat, she walks back down to the streets and starts to head towards the market. It's then that she spies the gang members threatening a woman and her children. Mary remembers one of her first days here, when a gang was attacking a landen boy and she and Henry had stepped in to help him. It's easier to be brave with Henry around. Without him here it's up to her to step in and do something. She's still not great at attacking spells, but she does an excellent defensive shield.

As Mary approaches, she notices the man stepping out of the shadows and she hangs back. What he's able to do is impressive, and she's fairly sure that he's not using Craft. That power is native to him.

Once the woman and children are on their way, Mary hurries to catch up with the man. "I have never seen anyone do something like that," she says, her eyes flickering over his metal arm.