Empire of the Vampire, #2
Empire of the Damned
by Jay Kristoff
Contents
X. The Hate of You
Overview
Gabriel’s grief and thirst sharpen as he is haunted by visions of Astrid and Patience, showing how close despair remains beneath his mission to protect Dior. Lachlan discovers Dior’s secret and clashes with Gabriel over his alliances, while Celene presses Gabriel to abandon Lachlan, Phoebe, and the children in favor of Jènoah.
The chapter shifts the group’s conflict from external survival to competing claims over Dior’s future. Gabriel refuses to fully trust Celene, but he accepts that Dior’s path matters enough to continue, making clear that his loyalty is personal rather than holy.
Summary
In the frame narrative, Gabriel describes to Jean-François how he climbed above the ruined hovel after the flight from Aveléne. The night is vivid and almost beautiful under the influence of sanctus, but Gabriel is overwhelmed by grief for Baptiste, Aaron, Astrid, and Patience. He sees phantoms of Astrid and his dead daughter calling to him, and he nearly longs for death before remembering his unfinished vengeance and Dior’s need for him.
Lachlan finds Gabriel on the hillside after keeping watch for Dyvok. Lachlan confronts Gabriel about Dior, having smelled that Dior is a girl and heard claims that she killed the Beast of Vellene. Gabriel refuses to explain, remembering how other Order brothers betrayed him at San Michon, and tension rises as Lachlan questions Gabriel’s alliance with duskdancers, coldbloods, and Dior.
The argument turns personal when Gabriel reveals that Celene is his sister and angrily rebukes Lachlan for dismissing Astrid as his mistress. Lachlan calls Astrid Gabriel’s ruin, and Gabriel punches him. Lachlan strikes back with Dyvok strength, and the two silversaints brawl until Celene interrupts them from the trees, provoking Lachlan’s hatred and suspicion.
After Lachlan leaves, Celene tells Gabriel that they must be rid of Lachlan, the children, and Phoebe because the Silver Order is dangerous to Dior. Gabriel refuses to let Celene dictate the path and demands answers about Celene’s powers, the Esani, her missing years, and her motives. Celene insists that Jènoah is the right guide for Dior and warns that if Gabriel takes Dior to the Highlands, Gabriel will die because no silversaint can safely enter the Moonsthrone Mountains.
Celene refuses a full explanation but argues that Gabriel should trust her hatred: she despises Gabriel for what happened to her, yet endures him because Dior is bound to him and the fate of souls depends on the Grail. Gabriel tells Celene that she had a niece, Patience, who was murdered with Astrid, and admits his self-hatred is greater than Celene’s. Gabriel declares that Dior is now his world, and although he will keep Dior on the road she chooses, he threatens Celene with terrible vengeance if Celene or Jènoah harms Dior.
Who Appears
- Gabriel de LeónGrieving silversaint; confronts Lachlan and Celene while reaffirming fierce loyalty to Dior.
- CeleneGabriel’s undead sister; urges Jènoah, distrusts the others, and admits deep hatred for Gabriel.
- Lachlan á CraegGabriel’s former apprentice; discovers Dior’s sex and challenges Gabriel’s lies and alliances.
- DiorAbsent but central; her identity, blood, destination, and safety drive the chapter’s conflicts.
- Jean-FrançoisVampire historian listening to Gabriel’s account and illustrating his night watch.
- AstridGabriel’s dead wife; appears as a grief-born vision tempting Gabriel toward peace.
- PatienceGabriel’s murdered daughter; appears in Gabriel’s vision and is revealed as Celene’s niece.