Domenico Michele, Matthew’s old friend turned enemy, delivers a message from the Congregation. Liaisons between witches and vampires are forbidden, so Diana must leave the de Clermont home and forget about Matthew and his family or else the Congregation will do whatever it takes to “preserve the covenant” (272). Diana retorts that she never agreed to a covenant. Domenico admires her fieriness and observes that she inherited her father’s argumentative nature; however, she doesn’t have a choice: the covenant covers all creatures: past, present, and future.

Ysabeau takes Diana up to the tallest tower where she raises a forked black flag bearing a silver ouroboros. The flag warns the local village that there are unscrupulous, outsider vampires around. Diana she was brave but foolish to argue with Domenico, who would happily rip out her throat. The Congregation and the covenant were created during the Crusades to protect creatures from human notice. When creatures mix, they attract too much attention (274). Diana is upset that Matthew withheld knowledge of the Congregation from her. Matthew needs to stop keeping secrets—he doesn’t control her. Ysabeau responds that Matthew is ready to sacrifice everything for her, and if Diana loves Matthew, she should send him away.