The chapter opens in the present interrogation, with Marquis Jean-François objecting to Gabriel’s nonlinear narration. The vampire demands Gabriel return to the San Michon timeline to explain how Astrid Rennier went from sisternovice to his wife and the mother of his child. Gabriel responds with sarcasm and defiance, but the vampire reminds him of the leverage of sanctus, pressing the point until Gabriel’s anger nearly breaches his composure.

Gabriel hesitates to revisit his past, admitting to himself that opening those memories would be painful. When he concedes he will need a drink to proceed, Jean-François summons a thrall to bring an expensive Elidaeni Monét and two glasses. Gabriel judges the distance to the unlocked door and hears life and suffering below, but does not attempt escape.

As the thrall serves, Jean-François sketches the current company in Gabriel’s story for his notes—Père Rafa, Saoirse and her lion Phoebe, Bellamy, and Chloe Sauvage—highlighting the ongoing Grail thread. The thrall then kneels, and the vampire bites her wrist, demonstrating the allure of the Kiss. He fills a goblet with her blood while maintaining eye contact with Gabriel, intensifying Gabriel’s struggle with his own thirst and paleblood nature.

Jean-François offers to share the thrall with Gabriel. Gabriel vividly recalls the ecstasy of blood but ultimately refuses, replying “No. Merci.” The vampire seals the wound with his tongue, dismisses the trembling thrall, and locks the door. They toast—Jean-François with “Santé,” Gabriel with “Morté”—the vampire sipping blood as Gabriel drains his wine and refills.

Pressed again on how he became a legend from a frailblooded boy, Gabriel looks at his tattooed hand spelling “PATIENCE.” He rejects the notion that the Order made him a lion, asserting the lion was always in his blood, and that San Michon merely helped him unleash it. He signals readiness to return to the San Michon thread and continue the tale.