Genevieve entered the dining room to applause and taunts. Sevin slow-clapped, and Covin joked about lost bets on her survival. Covin, Sevin, and Remi ate together while Rowin watched from the wall with a purple drink, and Ellin sat apart, somber over Wellington Silver’s elimination. The group recapped the last day’s exploits, including Covin’s promiscuity, Sevin’s near-impalement in an enchanted room, and Remi being mistaken for Rowin and propositioned.

Genevieve sat with Ellin and quietly thanked her for the lifesaving healing. Ellin bluntly stated she acted because Rowin promised to spare her if Rowin and Genevieve become Hunters and Ellin is not their only remaining opponent, not out of kindness. Ellin left. Sevin needled Ellin, and Rowin defended her, noting Wells was gentle only because the rest are pricks. Rowin departed after a silent exchange with Umbra.

Sevin intercepted Genevieve in the foyer. He admitted he witnessed Ellin’s frantic healing while hiding in the library and outlined the siblings’ magic: Rowin, Wells, and Remi manipulate and become darkness with limited healing; Sevin and Covin are Blood Wraiths with somewhat broader capabilities; Grave is a rare, powerful Void Wraith. He warned that Grave is volatile and, more pointedly, implied Rowin is even more volatile, advising Genevieve to be sure she wants to win because this Hunt will leave things irreparable.

Alone, Genevieve wrestled with Sevin’s warning and her own purpose. Realizing she had little to fight for in her old life, she resolved to aim beyond personal survival—considering freeing not just herself and Rowin but also helping the family escape the cursed game. Energized by this decision, she went to the library to research Crimson Rot and found a reference after combing many indexes.

Her ring warmed, signaling an approach, but no one appeared. She challenged the unseen watcher, and Knox materialized, threatening that every deal has a loophole and pressing her to entertain his patrons with more titillation from her and Rowin. Genevieve deflected, claiming privacy, but Knox’s suspicion lingered before he vanished.

Immediately after, squeaks drew her attention to a large white mink whose aware gaze suggested a Familiar; her signet remained warm. Darkness thickened and Grave emerged, dismissing the mink, Lilith. He offered Genevieve a last chance to make her death quick and painless. Genevieve argued his vendetta was misplaced and urged him to accept one more year so Rowin could free them. Grave confessed deep distrust of Knox’s “marriage loophole,” convinced Knox would exact a price if Rowin escaped, and refused to risk it.

When Genevieve challenged his honor, Grave admitted he had no such aspirations and asked if she knew what a Void Wraith meant. Without waiting for her answer, he threw a knife at her heart. Genevieve tried to turn intangible, but her Specter magic did not activate. The knife froze mid-air, and Genevieve found herself unable to move, breathe, or speak—time itself had halted.