After depositing the 100,000 francs at Banco Hispana, David picks up a newspaper and learns of a devastating fire at the office of Barrido and Escobillas that killed the former and left the latter in critical condition. He goes to the site of the blaze and sees Inspector Victor Grandes, a detective David remembers from his days on the crime beat. Grandes briefly interviews David and seems somewhat suspicious of him, but he opts not to take him into custody.

At Sempere & Sons, Sempere doesn't initially recognize David because he looks so much healthier. He asks David to read the work of a talented 17-year-old writer named Isabella Gispert who reportedly adores his work.

When David returns home, Grandes is on his front porch. He tells David that Escobillas is dead and that because of how the publishing house is set up, the deaths of its founders nullify all contracts, including David's. Grandes also tells him that the fire started when someone threw petrol all over Barrido and threw a lit match on him.

That night, David begins to read Lux Aeterna. Although his initial reaction to the book is that it is nonsense, he begins to fall under its spell as he reads its strange prayers and mythologies.