Gideon visits his family’s graves. He asks Alex for forgiveness for all he has done. Harrow arrives, informing him that she received his telegram. Laila ordered the Blood Guard to double security along the waterfront to prevent anyone from leaving the Republic that evening. Before leaving, Harrow warns Gideon that Noah will kill him if Rune escapes again. Gideon asks Harrow about her missing ear. She reveals that in childhood, her parents sold her, their youngest child. She became an indentured servant for a wealthy witch family. They initially treated her well, and their daughter, Juniper, taught her to read and write. However, Harrow fell in love with Juniper, and when her parents found out, they cut off Harrow’s ear, hoping to dissuade the girls from continuing their relationship. They locked Harrow in a cellar, and Juniper never came to rescue her. A Blood Guard soldier eventually found and released Juniper, delivering news that the Sister Queens were dead and the Reign of Witches was over.

Rune sneaks into Gideon’s home, rummaging through his cupboards for food, but Gideon discovers her. Instead of apprehending her, he kisses her despite the pain Cressida’s curse causes him. When they part, he gives her a gun to use if she’s in danger.