The Heretics

Jerrick and William stood in the dimly lit study, the air between them thick with unresolved tension. The flicker of the hearth cast dancing shadows on the stone walls, their faces partially obscured in the gloom.

William leaned back in his chair, his eyes searching Jerrick's face for a clue to his unspoken thoughts. After a beat, he decided to break the silence.

"What about Imogen?" William asked casually, though his gaze sharpened as he observed his brother's reaction. Jerrick's expression darkened, his jaw tightening imperceptibly.

"There's not much to say," Jerrick finally replied, his voice rough. "Jessamyn ended her life abruptly. It felt too calculated, too sudden."

William raised an eyebrow at this, surprised by Jerrick's lingering doubts. "You think Jessamyn did it for a reason beyond just protecting herself?"