In Sul Adair, Jean-François Chastain prompts Gabriel de León to continue his account from the aftermath of San Michon. Gabriel reflects bitterly on the vampires’ future and on Celene, the sister who revealed herself as the masked bloodwitch Liathe, before returning to the moment after he stopped the Silver Order’s ritual.

In Gabriel’s memory, he and Dior Lachance stand in the bloodied cathedral after Gabriel has killed Chloe Sauvage, Abbot Greyhand, and other silversaints to save Dior. Gabriel closes the eyes of the dead, recovers his broken sword Ashdrinker from Greyhand’s body, and reunites Ashdrinker with Dior, who reassures the blade that there is nothing to forgive.

Gabriel and Dior leave the cathedral into the snow, knowing San Michon is no refuge: other silversaints may return, vampires are still hunting Dior, and the Forever King may send more servants after her. They see Forgemaster Argyle and members of the Silver Priory fleeing. Argyle denounces Gabriel as a villain and sacrilegious murderer, but Gabriel lets them go rather than add more deaths.

Gabriel takes Dior to the Priory so Dior can change out of the ritual robes. Their familiar banter briefly steadies Dior, but Gabriel notices Dior’s trembling and understands that Chloe’s betrayal has deeply wounded her. When Dior asks whether Gabriel truly means to stay with her, Gabriel vows by the Blood that he will never leave her, whatever fate awaits.

Dior breaks down, grieving and questioning whether stopping the ritual was wrong because it might have ended daysdeath. Gabriel takes responsibility for the choice and tells Dior the burden is Gabriel’s alone. Gabriel then reveals that Liathe is his sister Celene, explains that Celene helped save them despite being dangerous, and insists Dior must choose her own path. Strengthened by Gabriel’s promise, Dior decides they should go meet Gabriel’s family.