After receiving many letters from the Underlanders about Luxa's whereabouts, Gregor finds a note in the laundry room. Hoping to find out where his friend is, he discovers that the Prophecy of Blood has struck, and his bond, Ares, is infected with the plague. In order to convince Gregor's mother to let him go back to the Underland to find the cure, Ripred sends a message to their apartment. His mother agrees, under one condition: she must accompany her children to the Underland. After regrouping, it is discovered that Gregor's mother has been bitten, infecting her with the plague.