We open in the Sanctum of the Thieves Guild beneath New Orleans. The assassin from last issue has Gambit handcuffed and is delivering him to Candra. He tosses Gambit to the floor in front of Candra who strangely says that this charade is unbearable, that she wouldn't have allowed them to get so close unless she wanted them to. The assassin pretends to not understand what Candra is talking about and Gambit tells them to let it go, there's no fooling Candra. The assassin is actually Feint in disguise. She transforms into her true form while apologizing but Gambit says she doesn't have to apologize because she did great.
Candra agrees while lifting Feint in the air with her TK, saying the metamorph is impressive but that no assassin of hers would be suicidal enough to show their face after a botched contract. Candra asks Gambit where he found his protege and we get a quick flashback/reference to Dark X-Men. They go back and forth and start fighting. Gambit tells her that the Externals are making big moves and he needs to know what Selene is planning. After taking some licks Gambit gets Candra to admit why she's not working with Selene.
Externals know no permanent death but feel pain, bleed, and suffer. There are rumors of ways to prevent even that but these rites don't come for free. With the exception of Apocalypse, the Externals intend to pay that price in blood to ascend as True High Lords. They're using the war between Orchis and Krakoa to do it. If they succeed, "They, or at least Selene herself..."
"... and you can't stop the ascension at this stage - not even I could." She says her guile recognizes Selene's corruption. Selene will finish her ritual and betray the others. She'll then burn the world. Feint helps Gambit walk out as they exit the Sanctum. They reach out to Betsy's mind and start relaying everything they've learned from Candra. Feint tells Gambit that she'll never follow him into a literal den of thieves of again and he says he knew Candra would let them go without too much harm.
Back inside Candra is about to sit on her throne again when she hears Selene in her mind. "I generously allowed you to abstain from ascension, Candra..."