As Alma and Hart sit on her porch, he tells her that he messed up his romance with Mercy and cannot fix it. She hugs him, and they talk about the potential that he is immortal. She reminds him that they know of a dozen demigods; of that dozen, only one is verifiably immortal. She suggests that because the demigods are several generations removed from the Old Gods, perhaps their immortality is fading away. She also suggests that it is better to try to live in the present and not to worry about death until it comes. Later, Hart lies in bed and thinks about all those who have been endangered because of the drudges. He believes that if he had succeeded in opening the door to the house in Sector 28 years ago, the citizens of Eternity would not now be in danger. He decides that it is time to settle this unfinished business, so he sneaks out of Alma’s house.

He stops to eat at the café where he was meant to meet his pen pal months ago. He finishes reading Enemies and Lovers, Mercy’s favorite book. Then he goes to the marshals’ barracks to gather supplies and weapons.