Gabriel woke late, suffering a brutal hangover but noting his broken arm and other wounds had mysteriously healed. The serving girl Nahia informed him that the Dead were at Dhahaeth’s gates. After dressing and taking his pipe, Gabriel followed Nahia through sleet to the southern gate, where Bishop Alfonse Du Lac and the militia awaited him.

On the wall, Gabriel assessed the poorly equipped defenders and observed a black-and-gold coach in the road, drawn not by horses but by a dozen wretched teenage girls. A striking young-looking female vampire in leather, with kohl-rimmed eyes and blood-stained chin, sat as driver. Gabriel identified her as a Voss fledgling, rejecting guesses she might be Dyvok or Ancien, and explained to the assembled that she was likely young and arrogant.

In a frame interlude, Jean-François pressed Gabriel to explain how he identified bloodlines and the term “fledgling.” Gabriel outlined the three ages of vampires—fledgling, mediae, and ancien—remarking that fledglings sometimes retain human habits like blinking, while mediae and ancien are more monstrous. He refused to guess the historian’s age, saying only that he was “old enough to have nothing left inside,” before resuming the story.

Back at the gate, the fledgling approached through sleet and declared, “You are all going to die.” A panicked militiaman loosed a bolt that harmlessly struck her; a volley of bolts followed, leaving only minor damage to her dress and a scratch. When the captain ordered pitch-tipped shots prepared, the fledgling hesitated at the threat of fire, giving the defenders a brief surge of courage.

The coach door opened and a male vampire stepped out—elegant, blood-spattered, and terrifying. Gabriel recognized him as Danton Voss, the Beast of Vellene, an ancien and son of Fabién. The wretched remained frozen under his control, and the fledgling appeared to be his get. Danton addressed Bishop Du Lac, ordering that Gabriel be brought out to him, otherwise he would come in to fetch him.

Gabriel felt the centuries-deep power in Danton’s voice and saw the militia’s resolve falter. Knowing these men had fought lesser Dead but not enemies like these, he told the bishop Danton meant his threat. Surveying his fearful troops, the militia captain concluded bleakly that they were “fucked.”