Chapter Thirty-Two

Bastian insists that Lore, Gabe, and Bastian must enter the catacombs the next night because waiting could allow another village to be destroyed. Lore worries about getting through the Presque Mort’s supposedly secret garden entrance, while Gabe remains cold and silent after seeing Lore use Mortem against Milo. Bastian argues that bringing a Presque Mort and finding a map will help, though the group still does not know where the bodies are hidden beneath the Citadel.

Lore privately understands that her own power may be the way to locate the bodies, but Lore does not want to tell Gabe more after his reaction to Milo. Lore says she will question the corpses again and claims she now knows how to undo it if she accidentally makes a raised body last. Bastian also suggests that, after the larger matter is settled, Claude should be allowed to rest and receive a proper burial.

Gabe finally challenges the plan by suggesting Mari may be lying, and Lore angrily defends Mari. The argument escalates when Gabe dismisses Mari as a poison runner and implies Lore has not been loyal to the crown that rescued her. Lore slaps Gabe, and Gabe continues to warn that Lore’s old friends may be setting a trap or may have been bought.

Bastian identifies Gabe’s deeper hesitation as religious fear: entering the catacombs without Church permission would be another sin. Bastian taunts Gabe with Anton’s judgment and then decides that Bastian and Lore will go alone, sparing Gabe’s honor. After Bastian leaves, Gabe looks at Lore without speaking, and Lore realizes that turning Milo to stone has made Gabe see Lore as a monster who violated life, death, and the afterlife.

Lore retreats to her room hurt and furious. Later that night, Gabe silently enters. Lore and Gabe kiss with pent-up anger and desire, but when Lore reaches for Gabe’s belt, Gabe stops. The two remain close for a moment, understanding that they will not go further, and then Gabe leaves Lore alone in the cold.