Chapter Thirteen

Lore crosses the Citadel green to the Church, simmering over Bastian’s unilateral decisions, including pairing Caius with Alie. Granted privacy by Bastian’s order, she enters the confessional to speak with Gabe, determined to keep the conversation unheard.

Instead of asking about Anton, Lore reveals persistent dreams that feel solid and memory-like, set in a planned forest resembling her mental barrier, where she speaks of a looming decision with unfamiliar, unscarred hands. She admits fear and asks if the dreams matter. Gabe, once devoutly convinced of prophecies about her power, listens in wary silence.

Pressed, Gabe asks for details. Lore confesses she told Bastian only that she was dreaming, not what. Moved by her vulnerability, Gabe decides to trust “a little,” acknowledging his conflict between desire and judgment. Their guarded intimacy grows as they stand together at the lattice.

Gabe unlocks a concealed door in the confessional screen and steps through, revealing a private passage. Noting Bastian’s order that Lore have privacy with him and the bloodcoat waiting outside, Gabe leads her through an internal route so the guard will not see her leave. He says he is taking her to the stone garden to show why he was there that night, promising answers and escalating secrets kept from Bastian.