Gideon climbs the marble steps of Blood Guard headquarters with Harrow and reports that Rune Winters has no casting scars. He insists his interest is practical—he needed Rune’s measurements for a dress—but his memories of seeing her partially undressed distract him and reinforce that he found nothing.

Harrow challenges Gideon’s conclusion, arguing the Crimson Moth would hide scars where a quick, modest inspection would miss them. Her blunt suggestion that Gideon would need to see Rune fully naked lands as both a tactical point and a complication Gideon doesn’t know how to manage.

As they enter the former Royal Library’s atrium, Harrow pauses at mismatched floor tiles and recalls the great tree that once grew there, its blossoms carpeting the floor. She speaks of her former witch mistress, Juniper, and Gideon asks if Juniper was purged; Harrow reveals she was not.

The brief intimacy turns colder when Gideon asks whether Juniper was responsible for Harrow’s missing ear. Harrow says Juniper did not cut it off, but also did not stop it, then shuts down the conversation and pushes Gideon back to the investigation.

On the way to Gideon’s office, Gideon explains his plan: he gave Rune deliberately false information about a witch holding cell near Seldom Harbor. There is no holding cell—only a trap meant to catch the Crimson Moth; if Rune appears, Gideon captures her, and if anyone else appears, Gideon takes it as proof Rune is working with the Moth because he told only Rune the location.

When Harrow asks what happens if no one comes, Gideon admits he will abandon the lead and break things off with Rune, hoping his brother will finally step up.