The chapter opened with Genevieve and Rowin in a heated sexual encounter, underscoring their restored intimacy and mutual desire. Their privacy was abruptly broken when Covin emerged through the trap door, bound to remain with them due to Ellin’s rule that everyone had to stay together for the rest of the round.

An hour later, Covin and Rowin were still bickering while Genevieve tried to distract them with tic-tac-toe. Their banter touched on grim family lore about Grave, Rowin’s pain tolerance and piercing, and Knox’s potential retaliation, which Rowin refused to discuss. Time was running down in the round when Genevieve’s ring heated, warning of Ellin’s approach.

Ellin entered via the trap door, mocking their noise and immediately directing anger at Covin for cutting off her ear, and at Rowin for previously snapping her neck. Covin lunged, and a prolonged fight followed. Ellin landed a knife strike to Covin’s abdomen, but Covin eventually punched Ellin in the gut, making her vomit and drop the blade. Genevieve noted Rowin’s protective positioning as he kept her clear of the melee.

Ellin then appeared to break down, declaring she was finished with the game and claiming Rowin would be the next Hunter, while citing Sapphire’s injuries and her own missing ear. As Covin approached to comfort Ellin, Rowin subtly signaled Genevieve to pay attention. Genevieve spotted Ellin’s right foot hooking the dagger’s hilt on the floor.

In a swift feint, Ellin kicked the dagger into her hand and drove it through Covin’s heart a breath before the bells signaled the safe hours. Covin and the Hunting Blade vanished instantly. Ellin quipped “Baby sister guilt. Gets them every single time,” revealing the manipulation behind her feigned surrender. Rowin then led a stunned Genevieve away.

Genevieve and Rowin spent the remainder of the day together in his bed. As Genevieve drifted to sleep, a new idea occurred to her, which she weakly mentioned to Rowin. Later, Rowin dressed, moved his Familiar Umbra to lie beside Genevieve, and told Genevieve he was going to find Ellin before quietly leaving and locking the door.