7.10 (tofix)
The chapter opens with Skitter in a desperate battle against Night, a villain with the power to transform into a monstrous form. Skitter, caught in the aftermath of a flashbang grenade, relies on her bugs to track Night, who proves difficult to pin down due to her speed and slick skin.
Night attacks Judas, one of Skitter’s monstrous dog allies, inflicting severe injuries. Skitter struggles to focus her vision, seeing double, as Judas is thrown aside. Fog, another enemy, blocks their escape route with his mist, while Grue, weakened, tries to hold him back with his darkness.
Skitter attempts to subdue Night, who pulls out another grenade. Regent, using his power to manipulate bodies, causes Night to drop the grenade and pull the pin, creating a smokescreen. Skitter charges Night, disarming her and engaging in close combat.
Night strikes Skitter from behind, revealing she’s not entirely human, and Skitter realizes she’s made a mistake. She throws the smoke grenade away and prepares for another attack.
Night uses her cloak to disorient Skitter, then tackles and lifts her. Skitter discovers the cloak is lined with hooks, hindering her movements.
Tattletale attempts to distract and taunt Night, revealing personal details about her and suggesting a connection to Purity, another villain. Night, momentarily distracted, turns her attention back to Skitter, threatening her with a knife.
Tattletale shoots Night, incapacitating her. Purity arrives, her light and Fog’s mist blinding Skitter’s team, creating a combination attack. Purity and Night stand unharmed, while Skitter’s teammates are down.
Tattletale tries to negotiate with Purity, revealing that her daughter, Aster, is at a PRT safehouse. She claims they didn’t leak the information and that their goal was to help Purity get her daughter back.
Purity is skeptical, but Tattletale argues that Kaiser manipulated her and asks who she’ll trust regarding Aster’s safety. Crusader, another enemy, holds a spear to Skitter’s chest, preventing her from intervening.
Purity agrees to take Tattletale with her, on the condition that her team is allowed to leave and the destruction stops. Tattletale accepts, and they depart.
Night, having recovered, holds a knife to Regent’s throat but ultimately leaves with Fog and Crusader. Skitter, relieved, focuses on Grue and Angelica, who are severely injured.
Skitter contacts Coil, requesting medical assistance. She helps load Grue and the dogs into ambulances. Grue’s condition is critical, and Angelica has been affected by Fog’s mist.
Skitter waits at the doctor’s office, worried about Grue and Tattletale, who hasn’t responded to her texts. Dr. Q, a cranky old doctor, tends to Grue’s wounds and checks Skitter’s injuries.
Skitter receives a text from Tattletale, indicating that Purity got what she needed and that Tattletale is on her way. The chapter ends with a sense of uncertainty and lingering danger.