In the past, Drummond and his friends discuss the magic books. Wagner learned nothing from his experiments, determining that the magical force the books emanate is undetectable. He says that forces like gravity and electricity were once considered magic before they were properly understood. As they debate, Drummond reflects that their intellectual conversations are his favorite part of their work together. They discuss the possible origins of the books, with Drummond saying he believes they were all created by a single person.

After Cassie has been sent to the past, Drummond and Barbary face each other. Barbary is enraged that Lund stole his Book of Pain. Drummond tries to attack him but is quickly immobilized, and Barbary steals his three books. As he prepares to torture him, he receives an alert that his book is being auctioned by the Bookseller. He plans to go to the auction and kill everyone there. As he prepares to kill Drummond, Cassie arrives, ten years older than when she left only a few minutes ago.