Empire of the Vampire, #2
Empire of the Damned
by Jay Kristoff
Contents
XII. Nothing Lasts Forever
Overview
Gabriel realizes the wretched Dior killed was a Voss-controlled scout, proving their pursuers are dangerously close. To protect the rescued children and keep Lachlan away from Dior’s secret, Gabriel sends Lachlan to San Michon with the children while Dior chooses to go west toward Master Jènoah and the Nightstone.
In the present-day interrogation, Jean-François exposes Gabriel’s manipulation and draws him into a charged discussion of fathers, violence, and memory. The chapter shifts the journey from rescue and flight into a pursuit toward deeper historical and religious revelations.
Summary
After Dior kills the wretched, Gabriel immediately panics because the creature spoke and recognized her. Gabriel wakes everyone in the fisher hovel, orders the group to pack, and explains that the wretched was not mindless: an Ironheart Voss, or possibly one of the Voss ancien, was riding the corpse as a scout. Celene confirms such control only works within roughly forty to fifty miles, meaning dangerous enemies are already close.
Lachlan suggests retreating to Aveléne, but Gabriel decides the children must split from Dior’s party. Gabriel argues that the Voss are after Dior and that the children will have a better chance if Lachlan leads them toward San Michon. Though Lachlan protests, Gabriel appeals to their brotherhood and says Lachlan is the only one Gabriel trusts with the children, persuading him to go.
In the framing conversation, Jean-François interrupts Gabriel’s story to accuse him of manipulation. The historian correctly reads that Gabriel sent Lachlan away not only to save the children, but because Gabriel did not trust Lachlan around Dior and her secret. Gabriel accepts the charge in his own harsh way, claiming it is better to be ruthless than foolish.
The children depart with Lachlan. Isla apologizes, Mila says goodbye, and Dior lets Lachlan keep her silversteel longblade to protect them. Gabriel feels guilt over the parting and is haunted by memories of the Forever King’s children watching his family die, but he steadies himself by focusing on his dead daughter Patience’s name tattooed on his hand.
With the children gone, Gabriel, Dior, Celene, and Phoebe must choose a direction: south to Phoebe’s promised Highland refuge, northwest to León, or west toward Master Jènoah and dangerous answers. Dior chooses west, accepting the path that risks her life and perhaps the world. In the present, Gabriel and Jean-François discuss fatherhood and abusive fathers, while Meline brings wine; Gabriel then foreshadows that reaching the Nightstone and entering the world of the Esani would expose the lies behind the Aavsenct Heresy, the Red Crusades, and the Wars of the Blood, leaving none of them safe again.
Who Appears
- Gabriel de LeónRecognizes the Voss threat, manipulates Lachlan away, and leads Dior west.
- Dior LachanceMarked target of the Voss; chooses the westward path toward dangerous answers.
- LachlanReluctantly takes charge of the rescued children and receives Dior’s silversteel blade.
- Jean-François ChastainInterrogating historian who exposes Gabriel’s lie and shares fragments of his own past.
- CeleneConfirms the limits of Ironheart corpse-riding and remains with Gabriel’s smaller party.
- PhoebeHelps gather supplies and continues with Gabriel, Dior, and Celene after the split.
- MelineJean-François’s majordomo, serving wine and heightening tension in the prison scene.
- IslaOlder rescued child who helps organize the younger children and apologizes before leaving.
- MilaYoung rescued girl who bids Gabriel and Phoebe an affectionate farewell.