Celene resumes her tale, explaining that she and Gabriel returned to Dún Maergenn in a weakened, batlike form because they could not abandon Dior. They found Dior no longer in the dungeons but in Lilidh Dyvok’s bed, apparently affectionate and obedient, with Lilidh’s crown-and-antlers brand newly burned into Dior’s hand.

Lilidh prepared to sleep through the day and revealed that Dior had given her information about the Esani and the Ironhearts. Celene feared Dior had betrayed the Faithful, Mother Maryn, and Celene’s presence, but after Lilidh left with Prince, Dior began practicing sword forms with a hearth poker.

Worm entered through a hidden door with a dagger, but Dior had expected her. Worm realized Dior had not truly obeyed Lilidh’s order to beat her and concluded Dior was not thralled. Dior explained that Worm was no longer thralled either because Dior’s healing blood had broken Lilidh’s bond over her; the same had happened to Joaquin after Dior healed him.

Dior reveals the truth of her blood: she is descended from the Redeemer and Michon through Esan, and her blood burns vampires, heals wounds, frees thralls, and may end daysdeath. Worm then reveals her own identity: she is Reyne, fifthborn daughter of Niamh Nineswords and a royal daughter of Maergenn, not a mere maidservant.

Dior and Reyne form a wary alliance. Reyne proposes testing whether Dior’s blood can free her swordmaids if they drink it, and Dior cuts her foot to collect blood in a vase while warning that vampires can scent it. Reyne leaves through the secret paths, vowing revenge on the vampires who destroyed her family and country, while Dior is left awed by the discovery that Worm is an Ossian princess.