In a northern Fenharrow village, Manon hides in the closet of the cottage where she has been living under false pretenses. After sensing the villagers' fear and rage all day, Manon has prepared for the arrival of three men who believe she is a Crochan witch and have come to rob, torment, and kill her.

One farmer enters Manon's bedroom, pretending that he only wants to talk while secretly carrying a dagger. Manon silently slips behind him, shuts the door, and reveals that the men have misidentified her: Manon is not a Crochan, but an Ironteeth witch. Manon exposes her iron teeth and claws, then kills the farmer before the farmer can shout for help.

Manon moves through the cottage and kills the second man as the second man loots the house. The third man discovers Manon feeding on his companion and flees into the towering winter grass. Manon deliberately gives the third man a head start because Manon wants the pleasure of the hunt.

The narration reveals that Manon is Manon Blackbeak, heir to the Blackbeak Witch-Clan. Manon has been pretending to be a Crochan witch to lure out real Crochans, the ancient enemies of the Ironteeth witches. Manon's red cloak is a trophy taken from Manon's first Crochan kill over a century earlier, and Manon wears it despite the danger and significance of wearing an enemy color.

Manon reflects that Manon's sacred duty is to hunt Crochans until none remain. Manon has spent months searching Fenharrow without finding any, while Manon's coven searches elsewhere. The farmers are only a diversion, but Manon takes satisfaction in stalking the last farmer through the grass and allowing the last farmer to scream when Manon finds him.