With the city reeling from Maladie's opera debut, Mundi takes a personal stake in tracking her down, while Amalia launches an investigation of her own. Meanwhile, the charitable Lavinia Bidlow seeks to destigmatize the Touched at a society event, Hugo Swann enlists Lavinia’s younger brother Augie to help monetize his illicit enterprise, and a deranged doctor conducts a series of experiments.

Penance creates an amplifier to spread Mary's hope-inspiring song across the city – but first, Mary must find her elusive voice. As danger mounts against her group, Amalia propositions an unlikely ally and sets out to expand the Orphanage's reach. Swann further entangles Augie and Mundi in his business affairs.