In Deepgrave’s Morning Chair hall, Virginia, Sevro, Pebble, and Clown are forced to their knees before a clone of Adrius au Augustus, while a collared Publius sits broken and Gorgo and Boneriders stand guard. Virginia confirms the figure is her brother’s clone. Lilath, fiercely devoted to him, flaunts their triumph.

The clone explains his origin and design: anticipating failure against Octavia, the original Adrius left DNA and instructions; Lilath found Zanzibar the Carver and bore the clone. He claims he cannot rule openly, so he will rule through a puppet—Publius—and boasts of orchestrating the Day of Red Doves through covert pachelbel surveillance. He says Atlas and Atalantia liaised with Lilath without knowing of him, and mentions plans to sell Electra.

When Sevro threatens him, the clone enacts punishment: an iron wolf statue is heated with captive Howlers inside, their death howls echoing through the hall. Sevro, Pebble, and Clown are shattered by the atrocity. The clone vows to break Sevro’s mind so he won’t recognize his family. Sevro lunges but is brutalized by Lilath and the Boneriders until he collapses.

Paralyzed and horrified, Virginia tries to goad the clone into killing them. He instead professes kinship—“the blood that runs through your veins runs through mine”—and offers Virginia a “second chance” and dominion over the “sheep,” refusing to harm his “only blood,” while Lilath seethes.