In the present frame, Gabriel continues his testimony to Jean-François, needling the vampire about the sensations of mortal life, especially cold, and the meaning of love and loss. Jean-François dismisses mortal concerns as weaknesses of the flesh and asserts the superiority of eternal beauty and blood, while Gabriel warns that nothing lasts forever. Prompted, Gabriel returns to the story of the storm.

Two days after meeting refugees, a savage winter storm slams the company. With Père Rafa near collapse, Saoirse leads them through whiteout conditions to Winfael, a lakeside hamlet whose palisade has been smashed by colossal force, likely a Dyvok. Finding the cathedral gutted by fire and no signs of living townsfolk, they head to a barricaded inn, the Hammered Smith. Dior swiftly picks the lock and the group enters, disturbing swarms of rats. They find no food or liquor, but at least shelter from the wind.

Gabriel orders Saoirse to hold position with the others and searches the upstairs rooms, confirming they are clear except for rats. Bellamy tends to the horses and prepares to make a fire while Rafa shivers by the hearth, cared for by Chloe. After a quick perimeter sweep of the town, Gabriel sees Dior slip into the burned cathedral and follows, wary of the boy’s motives.

Inside the ruin, beneath a surviving stained-glass image of Saint Michon, Dior gathers broken pews for firewood. Gabriel smokes sanctus, noting telltale details about Dior, including fresh knife-scarred palms. The two trade barbs: Dior calls out Gabriel’s dependence on sanctus and his mistreatment of others; Gabriel calls Dior a liar and challenges the boy’s story about the Grail, demanding to know how a gutterborn thief entangled so many factions. Dior insists the Grail exists and says he would never harm Chloe, but rebuffs Gabriel’s questions.

Gabriel threatens Dior if harm comes to Chloe; Dior replies that bad men never realize they are the monster. Chloe arrives and interrupts, concerned. Dior leaves with the firewood. Chloe then warns Gabriel that Phoebe has returned with signs of potential trouble outside, and she asks Gabriel directly for trust despite his recent bitterness about God.

Chloe defends Dior in general terms and affirms she is no longer the sheltered novice Gabriel once trained, showing callused hands as proof of hard-won experience. She asks for Gabriel’s blade, strength, and most of all his faith, admitting she cannot tell him everything and that it may be better he does not know it. Gabriel withdraws his hand and answers that faith is hard to come by, then heads back out into the cold, their rift unresolved.