Dior follows Kiara through the conquered halls of Dún Maergenn while Kane and Soraya carry Aaron de Coste in his iron coffin. Because the party has arrived in haste, Aaron has not been flayed that night, and Dior hears him praying inside. Kiara warns Dior that Nikita Dyvok is ancient, ruthless, and easily offended, so Dior must kneel, speak only when addressed, and obey if she wants to live.

Kiara hesitates before entering the Hall of Plenty, despite Soraya’s assurance that Kiara returns in triumph after Gabriel de León’s fall. Inside, Dior sees a full court of highblood vampires feasting beneath rafters where living prisoners hang upside down as blood sources. A brutal contest between the tattooed Draigann and Alix ends in Alix yielding, after which a handmaid casually slits a captive’s throat to fill goblets for the fighters.

Kiara drags Dior to the dais, where Nikita Dyvok and Lilidh Dyvok sit beneath a vast religious window. Dior kneels as Kiara greets Nikita as Count and Priori of the Blood Dyvok and Lilidh as his broodsister and Wife of Winter. Lilidh summons Kiara close and publicly crushes Kiara’s throat, rebuking her for the delay in bringing fresh captives while the city’s larder runs low.

Nikita orders peace, and Lilidh releases Kiara. Kiara explains that winter and foulblood hunger emptied the lands, forcing her to range beyond Dyvok borders for supplies. Kiara then announces that she has returned from Aveléne with its bounty and claims she killed Gabriel de León, whose name provokes fury because he slew Tolyev and once liberated lands from the Dyvok.

Lilidh demands confirmation, and Kane states that Gabriel has fallen by Kiara’s hand, though Rykard died in the fight. The court erupts in approval. Kiara then presents Aaron de Coste as a highborn fledgling of her making and offers Nikita Gabriel’s dagger as proof and tribute. Nikita praises Kiara, but as Kane and Soraya open Aaron’s coffin, Aaron bursts out with a hate-filled roar and attacks Kiara.