Jean-Paul awakens in Desmond Hall, the summer home from when he was growing up. There he is reunited with his cousin Ada and meets her new husband Laslo Thaxton. Raxl, Quito and Holly all survived the burning of Maljardin and have joined him at Desmond Hall. Jean-Paul is informed his brother Phillip Desmond left to visit him on Maljardin and has not been heard from since. As Holly sleeps, a mysterious woman visits her room and places her in a trance and tells her she's her friend. Back in bed, Jean-Paul is awoken to a bloodied ghost calling his name.
