She closed her eyes to let her heart settle. He always had this effect when he came. The hairs on the back of her neck rose, and for an extended moment Rose relished her private encounter with him. It was as though he pulled her from reality for a long breath before returning her mind, body, and heart back to the room.

She opened her eyes and saw him standing behind Harrison at the far back corner of the stage, dressed in white. No one else in the room reacted to his presence because no one else knew he was there. He was there just for her. He always was. She was his disciple, his voice to the people of Haven Valley, the one he’d picked to be in communion with.

She’d been a child the first time she’d seen him. Battered by a father who demanded unattainable perfection and neglected by a mother too weak to save her children, Rose had been in terrible suffering before Sylous rescued her. He’d given her the gift of sight, whispered promises for a future outside the hell she was trapped in.

All she had to do was follow him and he would keep her safe. Sylous was her heavenly guardian, sent to set her free, and his promises had come true.

Her skin always tingled at the sight of him, at first in fear of his staggering power, now in longing to be near him. The thought of losing his protection, his presence, made her chest ache.

Fear me alone, and I will always protect you from evil. His words filled her mind. Their communication was like a melody only they shared, a song sung that only they could hear.

I will never stop fearing you, Rose responded silently.

Need my truth alone, and I will always watch over you.

I will never stop needing you.

Listen to me, and I will always guide you.

I will listen.

Peace settled over her.

Sylous shifted his gaze to Harrison. She did the same. Her husband had moved out from behind the pulpit and was silencing the congregation with a raised hand. He stood at the front edge of the carpeted stage, hands tucked calmly behind his back, eyes on Jamie.

“Going beyond the perimeter is against our laws,” he began. “How do you explain yourself?”

“It’s against our laws because of the danger,” Jamie said. “But what if the danger’s gone?”

This drew more hushed questioning from the flock, and once again Harrison raised his palm to quiet them. Jamie continued before Harrison could answer.

“I’ve ventured deep into the forest, miles beyond the edge of the surrounding hills.” He stepped out from the wooden bench and into the main aisle. “There’s a large town on the other side of these mountains. It looks normal, not caught up in the fiery hell you’d expect if the Fury were still—”