Renn is a moderately successful landscape painter, known for her mastery of the rare technique of magically bringing life to her work. However, Renn's gift comes with a cost - when she adds life to her paintings, she destroys her work's subject, making it difficult to please her clients.

One day, Renn's old painting teacher and lover, Lisane, sends a messenger to summon her. Lisane is on her deathbed, and she wants Renn to attempt the forbidden — painting Lisane's life and soul into a canvas, killing her in the process. Renn reluctantly agrees, and embarks on a single harrowing night to perfect her craft and confront her past.

She's lived in Lisane's shadow forever, watching her master take lovers and throw them away, harshly criticize Renn's work, and bring her frustrations and her own failure to mentor a protégé upon her students. Renn, too, was a victim - she became Lisane's lover at age fourteen, discarded soon after when Lisane decided Renn wasn't worthy. As Renn finishes her painting, she releases the rage and pain she dwelled in for years after Lisane's destructive and cruel treatment of her.

When the sun rises, Renn is grateful that she has killed Lisane - and relieved to be free of her. She relinquishes her magical portrait to Lisane's begrudging second-in-command, under the agreement it will be released after Renn's death to avoid repercussions. Knowing she returns to a life of mediocrity and landscapes, but will at last be free of Lisane's influence, Renn leaves the studio where she learned her craft for the last time, never to return.