Chapter 52: A Case for Revolution

Weeks passed since the hurakan.

Seamus and Elena, together again at last, began quietly gathering every piece of evidence they had against the Church of Saintess Yidali. Each document. Each testimony. Every charred record they could salvage.

It took time. Careful time.

But finally, their plan took form: a meeting with parliament. One that could, if successful, ban the Church and dissolve the Inquisition forever.

It would not be done in secret. The Behike would join them.

For the first time in centuries, a leader of Muerte Juju would enter parliament chambers.

The air trembled with anticipation.

Seamus hadn't left Elena's side since the storm. He moved like a man bewitched, eyes ever watchful, arm instinctively reaching for her whenever a shadow shifted too fast. He didn't care how it looked. She was his center now. His tether.

Meanwhile, Elena's days were filled with magic.

The Behike trained her rigorously. Where destruction once surged wild in her veins, control now ruled. Spells sharpened beneath her will, her hands dancing with both ruin and restoration.

Even healing, once a mystery to her, began to glow at her fingertips. Pale green swirls gathered in her palms, and her breath caught each time. It reminded her of him… of Niegal. His kind, silver gaze. That steady gentleness wrapped in a warrior's skin.

She smiled through the ache, then buried herself back in spellwork and battle strategy.

The day arrived before she could fully brace herself.

The day they would change everything.