Chapter 9

Chapter 9

I could no longer hear the hymns outside.

I could only hear my own heartbeat.

Thump.

Thump.

Like someone knocking on a coffin from the inside.

Lian didn’t look back.

He still stood in front of me, shielding me.

But his shoulders were incredibly stiff.

The Dean said, “What do you think he is? An innocent victim? A child used by the academy? No, Evelyn, he knows how to kill better than anyone.”

I looked at Lian.

“Is what he says true?”

Lian remained silent.

That was the answer.

The Dean slowly walked into the Holy Ark.

“Edmond killed Damian. Lian killed Edmond. We covered it up for him. He stayed silent for us. Such a perfect balance.”

My stomach churned.

Three years ago, Edmond died in an accidental fall.

The academy held three days of mourning for him.

Lian stood by the coffin, expressionless.

I had already been expelled from the academy by then, and only saw that photo in the newspaper.

Everyone said he grew up overnight.

No one knew that he had killed his own brother that night.

The Dean tapped the Silver Staff on the ground.

“Lian, you are guilty, and we know it. We let you stay not out of pity, but because you are suited to become a Saint.”

Lian finally spoke.

“Sinners are easier to control.”

“And they know better how to keep people quiet.”

The Dean looked at me.

“Evelyn, as long as you admit tomorrow that you were acting under his orders, we can revoke some of your charges from three years ago. You can leave the academy. Change your name and start a new life.”

I gave a small laugh.

“You don’t even bother changing the bait.”

The Dean wasn’t angry.

“This isn’t bait. It’s a way out.”

He raised his hand.

Two Inquisition guards walked in from outside the door.

Lian shoved the file into my arms.

Fast.

So fast that only I could feel it.

Then he took a step forward.

“She has nothing to do with this.”

I looked up at him.

The Dean acted as if he had heard an absurd joke.

“You called her back, taught her the testimony, and brought her into the Holy Ark. And now you say she has nothing to do with it?”

“I lied to her.”

Lian’s voice was steady.

“I made up all the testimony. I forged the secret letter. She just wanted to live.”

I froze.

He was exonerating me.

In the way he was best at.

By turning himself into a bigger sinner.

But I didn’t feel relieved.

I only felt angry.

He was always like this.

Making decisions for me first.

And then pretending he was protecting me.

The guards stepped forward and restrained his hands.

Lian didn’t resist.

The Dean said, “Candidate Lian is suspected of desecrating the Holy Ark, forging testimony, and murdering his blood relative. Take him into custody immediately.”

After he finished, he looked at me.

“As for Miss Evelyn, you will continue to appear in court tomorrow.”

I clutched the file in my arms tightly.

As Lian was escorted past me, he whispered, “Don’t do anything rash.”

I looked at him.

“You have no right to order me around.”

His footsteps paused.

A guard shoved him.

I heard the sound of chains locking.

Exactly like when Damian was taken away three years ago.

That night, I was not sent back to the West Tower.

I was locked in the old Confession Room.

There were people guarding outside the door.

The file in my arms was confiscated.

But I had hidden away a photograph.

The Holy Lamp shattered.

Red light rising.

Evidence of the old case burning in the Underground Incinerator.

On the back of the photo was a sentence from Damian.

Not the one Lian knew about.

He wrote it to me.

Evelyn, if you see this photo, don’t trust anyone who tries to decide the truth for you.

Including Lian.

I stared at that line of text and suddenly smiled.

Damian was more clear-headed than us right up until his death.