Four days after the storm, Gabriel sought out Dior in Winfael’s ruined cathedral, offering a phial of his own blood so he could track the boy with his unusual gifts. Dior rejected both the blood and Gabriel’s protection, telling Gabriel to leave him alone. Nevertheless, the company of seven departed into the snow, with Gabriel finally acknowledging the stakes of Dior possibly being the Grail.

Gabriel questioned the allegiances of the masked highblood who had attacked them at the watchtower, noting she seemed opposed to Danton Voss. Père Rafa urged a detour to San Guillaume for Church support, but Chloe insisted on returning to San Michon for its protection and forbidden lore, claiming the Prophecy also described how to end daysdeath and that Dior would save them all. Gabriel observed Dior’s uncertainty beneath his bravado.

They traveled north through emptied Ossway, Gabriel explaining to his present captor, Jean-François, the region’s matriarchal past and remnants of Old Ways, including clans like Dúnnsair. He noted Saoirse’s non-silver axe still killed vampires, hinting at other magics. The group camped cold and dark to avoid detection, with Gabriel lamenting dwindling vodka.

While mapping their route near the Dílaenn, Bellamy waxed nostalgic about Augustin and promised Dior a future visit, prompting light banter about the Rue des Méchants. Dior asked Chloe about her vows; Père Rafa shared a past love, Ailsa, who left rather than split him between love and God, saying, “No flower blooms that grows in two beds.” The talk turned to faith and desire, and Gabriel challenged Rafa’s theology, comparing divine “tests” to cruelty and warning that Rafa’s silver wheel would not love him back.

Phoebe alerted the camp as Saoirse returned at a sprint, reporting Danton Voss riding only miles south with about a dozen thralls and horses. Gabriel explained that thralling could bind men and beasts despite their fear of the Dead. Chloe asked whether to fight; Gabriel weighed his lust for vengeance and the tactical advantage of striking before Danton amassed more forces against the imperative to protect Dior.

Despite seeing the chance to kill Danton, Gabriel confronted the larger stakes of Dior’s blood and the possibility of ending daysdeath. Looking to the starless sky and unsure, he finally told Chloe they would flee, choosing Dior’s safety over immediate revenge.