Emilico and company have an unhappy encounter with a Star Bearer that leads to late-night watch duty. Kate frets over the approaching debut. Sides are taken, friendships are forged, and one of Shadow House's mysteries is solved.

Barbara strives to fulfill her role as a Star Bearer in spite of Barbie's concerns about her health. Troubled by the disturbances which keep occurring in the children's wing, Barbara wonders if things would have been different under the previous leader.

Meanwhile, in John's rooms, John reads a letter from Kate. Something in it sends him into a state of shock.