ting layers of her dark crimson and black gown. It was the traditional

estate gates, flanked

ading to the central plaza, the atmosphere shifted

to look at her, their faces twisting into masks of pure, unfiltered hatred and fear. M

rowd spat a wad of phlegm onto

ce hissed from the shado

his warrior instincts kicked in. His muscles coiled tight,

f his tattered cloak pulled low, hiding his face. He was use

Inside, she was screaming. Just how many people did t

crowd and entered the

blooming white roses. Standing amidst the flowers was a woman in a flowing, pure

ein. The

hed, replaced by a fanatical, feverish worshi

in the back of her head. It was the classic, text

smile. She lifted the hem of her white dress and practically

with sugary sweetness. She reached out, tryin

tly yanked her arm away, slapping K

ped in collec

illed with unshed tears. She looked down at her red hand, the per

pered, loud enough for the front

Kevan. A flash of cold calculation passed throu

ounds... they look so much better! I prayed all night for you both. I

es for the Saintess's boundless mercy.

elted away. He looked at Kendra with profound, genuin

e one who spent her points and risked her life to heal them, but the

an didn

ked onto Kendra. There was no gratitude in

int, glowing white light radiating from her palm. "Let me

, Kevan took a smooth,

ely avoide

tess's pure hands," Kevan said, hi

ed with hidden fury, but she quickly masked it with a sad,

anymore. She let out a loud, mockin

ow is nothing but cheap parlor tricks, Kendra. You co

were absol

roared in anger. He bent down, scooped up a jagged pie

His instinct was to dodge, to

ock could connec

would instantly detonate his own core. He reached out, intending to shove her out of the trajectory, but he miscalculat

h

ed, his body jerking forward, but he didn't fall. He

ned. Why would the man she had supposedl

er voice over the crowd. "Please! Stop! Do no

der her soothing voice, but the

stared at the dust on Kevan's cloak, a deep,