In the cold cell, Jean-François writes until his ink runs low and calls his thrall Meline. Gabriel observes Meline’s restored beauty and, stirred by desire, orders another bottle of Monét when offered a drink. He notes sounds from the château and the nearing dawn, wondering if he will be allowed to sleep or to dream.

Jean-François recaps the recent revelation that Dior is the Grail and a sixteen-year-old girl, and he speculates that Danton Voss would have pursued her differently had he known. Gabriel confirms that Chloe Sauvage and Saoirse knew Dior’s secret, that Danton did not pull it from Chloe’s thoughts, ignored Saoirse’s, and that Dior’s mind was closed to the Dead.

Jean-François suggests Danton toyed with Gabriel, letting a personal vendetta distract him. Gabriel counters that his feud with the Voss brood was no small matter. Jean-François then redirects to the earlier San Michon thread, insisting they return to the beginning and the Hunt after Skyefall, hinting at a buried secret involving an ancien Voss, the Scarlet Foundry, the Gauntlet, Greyhand, Talon, and Aaron de Coste.

Meline returns with ink and wine, kneeling and presenting them. Jean-François teasingly indulges and then dismisses her. Left alone, Gabriel contemplates using his glass as a blade to end his life, recalling that his cursed blood will not let him die or sleep without dreams; the wounds would simply close.

Outside, wings pass the window and the moons glow crimson. Jean-François presses the need to get back to the San Michon tale and unearth the secret “soaked in darkest blood.” Gabriel, staring into the bleak night and wrestling with memory and temptation, states that, despite his wishes, he remembers everything.