After hours of unresolved debate at Wintermoot, clan law halts proceedings at dusk. Phoebe goes with her kin to continue private political arguments among the All Mothers, while Gabriel returns to his room, drinks stolen Highland liquor, and worries about Dior, who remains beyond his reach.

Phoebe returns angry and defeated. She reports that the Cleods, Barenns, Hearns, Killaechs, and other clans will not support war against the Dead, and some doubt that Dior is truly the Godling. Keylan has pledged the Meyricks in principle, but he will not march unless all clans unite, because leaving his lands undefended could invite rival clans to seize them.

Gabriel rages at the failure of Wintermoot politics and concludes that the only remaining priority is reaching Dior before or when she arrives at Dún Maergenn. Phoebe refuses to let Gabriel go alone, reminding Gabriel that Phoebe swore a blood oath to Dior. Their shared hopelessness and resolve draw Gabriel and Phoebe closer, and they acknowledge themselves as a united “we” despite expecting death.

Gabriel and Phoebe give in to their attraction and spend the night together. During their intimacy, Phoebe invites Gabriel to bite her, and Gabriel’s thirst overwhelms Gabriel’s restraint. Gabriel drinks deeply from Phoebe and loses himself in the blood until Phoebe’s frightened command to stop brings Gabriel back to awareness.

Gabriel pulls away horrified, realizing how close Gabriel came to harming Phoebe. In the framing conversation, Gabriel tells Jean-François that this was the exact moment Brynne burst through the door, catching the aftermath of the dangerous encounter.