Luzia joins the other Torneo Secreto competitors for introductions before the assembled guests and clergy. She trades wary conversation with Teoda Halcón, Fortún Donadei, and Gracia de Valera, learning that Pedro del Valle—an inquisitorial figure—once warned the prophet Lucrecia de León before her imprisonment. Fortún also identifies Fray Diego de Chaves as the king’s confessor, heightening Luzia’s fear of religious scrutiny.

Fray Diego addresses the competitors with a threat disguised as mercy, insisting that miracles can be devilry and inviting any practitioner of witchcraft or heresy to confess. Luzia, terrified that her hidden Jewishness and song-magic will be seen, remembers Santángel’s warning to “fear nothing” and stays silent alongside the others. After a long pause, Fray Diego dismisses them coldly, implying God may show mercy where the church will not.

As the crowd disperses, Santángel appears and guides Luzia toward Don Víctor. Luzia confronts Santángel for abandoning her during the scrutiny, and Santángel admits he followed orders; Luzia realizes Víctor used Valentina and Marius to present her so Víctor could keep distance if the Inquisition took interest. Santángel urges Luzia to stop seeking fairness from Víctor and focus on surviving the next trial.

Luzia is presented to Don Víctor’s wife, Doña María, who treats Luzia with sincere reverence and gratitude, calling her an instrument of God and promising prayers and masses for her success. The encounter leaves Luzia ashamed of the lies surrounding her “miracles,” especially because Doña María’s devotion is genuine and vulnerable.

Santángel explains that Doña María is desperate to conceive because an astrologer told her she will not bear a child until the Dutch are returned to Catholic control. When Luzia challenges Santángel’s certainty and sour mood, Santángel pulls Luzia into the shadows and reveals a new truth: each time Luzia uses her gift and channels it through Santángel, they exchange power—Luzia strengthens Santángel’s body, restoring his appetite and vitality. Santángel cuts the conversation short and orders Luzia to concentrate as the rivals reassemble at the stage for what comes next.