Dior stands beside Lilidh in the Hall of Plenty while the Dyvok court revels in bloodshed. Nikita and Lilidh sit apart after their earlier conflict, prisoners hang from the chandeliers, and Kiara the Wolfmother duels the Draigann in a brutal display for the assembled vampires.

Dior remains outwardly obedient, but her anger has been building all week. Dior and her hidden companion have no answer for the strange reaction of Dior’s blood to the scalding blade or the Grail sigil beneath the Mothermaid’s Sepulcher, and the companion is still healing and not ready to fight. Reyne’s humiliation at Lilidh’s feet helps Dior remember that patience is necessary if the rebellion is to survive.

Aaron stands beside Nikita, outwardly beautiful and composed but clearly altered by his time with his maker. Dior sees Aaron’s suffering and understands that because Aaron is kith, Dior cannot free Aaron with holy blood; only Nikita’s destruction can release him. Meanwhile, Kiara defeats the Draigann, and Lilidh needles Nikita by suggesting that Aaron has displaced Kiara in Nikita’s affections.

Soraya interrupts the feast with news of a messenger at the gates and quietly urges Nikita to bring Epitaph, his immense rune-etched greatsword. Nikita leads his bloodlords from the hall, and Lilidh follows with her court, forcing Reyne beneath her before departing. The procession passes through Dún Maergenn, by prisoners and mortal stock, toward the outer walls.

On the battlements, the vampires look into the storm-dark beyond the city. Lightning reveals a vast, savage legion assembled before Dún Maergenn’s walls, accompanied by the sound of pipes. Dior remembers Gabriel’s vow that he would return to fight at her side no matter what stood between them, and with tears in her eyes, she whispers Gabriel’s name.