Ninth House

At Tara’s apartment, Alex is about to be suffocated by the big man who attacked her. She opens herself up and consciously sucks in the Bridegroom. With their combined strength, they fight off the attacker, but he keeps disappearing and reappearing out of nowhere. At that moment, Detective Turner shows up and the unknown man disappears for good. The policeman recognizes him as Lance, Tara’s boyfriend. 

Alex is severely injured, but is adamant about not going to the hospital. The detective takes her to Il Bastone, where Pamela attempts to heal her with a magical ritual. They fill a large crucible with goat’s milk and Alex takes a bath. The pain ebbs and she suddenly sees the Bridegroom. The house is warded, but after their meeting in the Egypt-like borderlands, any water can connect them.

Alex is not sure how she was able to absorb Bertram’s ghost without his permission, but Bertram, confesses that it had been a pleasurable experience. When Pamela brings food, Alex invites the Grey into herself once more.

Alex experiences Bertram’s memories of his last moments. He had been alone with Daisy, discussing their honeymoon plans, when they had heard a sound. Suddenly, Bertram began hallucinating or experiencing someone else’s memories: He was on an operating table surrounded by boys cutting him open, remembering taking their money.