Season of Sunlight

Fifth Month

Royal Monarch Hall

The City of Trylla, The Cronia Region

2325

The gala proceeded according to Aunt Frou Frou's plan.

Peaceful with nothing unexpected.

Henri sat between Elza Parks and Lilith at a table, spearing a piece of tender meat with a fork on his plate. He took a bite, grabbed the glass of water in front of him and took a drink, washing the remaining spices down his throat.

There was no conversation throughout the meal. Everyone ate in silence, throwing the odd glance now and then with a smile before continuing to eat. A waiter passed by, holding a water pitcher, and Henri gestured for him to refill his glass.

"There you are, mousier," the elegantly dressed man said. He wore a black and white checkered dress shirt, with white trousers secured with a brown belt around his waist. His shoes were polished black loafers.

"Thank you," Henri replied.

Aunt Frou Frou, who sat across from his position, delicately slurped up a tablespoon of mushroom soup.

"So Frou Frou," Henri said, causing her to pause. Her large eyes rolled up to face him. "Is there more to this event than a luxurious meal?"

Aunt Frou Frou swallowed the soup rather loudly. "Yes, of course, my boy. The fancy reception is only the introduction to make everyone attending comfortable. Afterward, Reverand Homer will invite everyone into the ballroom. It's the set of doors at the top of the stairs," she said, pointing up for Henri's eyes to follow. He gazed at a set of bronze doors.

"Does he make a speech?"

"Yes. It's quite beautiful, really," Elza said, patting a napkin across her lower lip. "He gives a sermon about the congregation's future, then provides ideas and challenges, as well as real stories of people becoming Prophet members. I always find it very inspiring. It challenges me to do more for my community and share the gospel."

Henri grinned and poked at another piece of meat. "That sounds nice."

"Nice?"

Lilith chuckled to herself.

"Sounds like a bloody cult to me."

A shadow fell across the table.

Aunt Frou Frou's mouth dropped open while Elza lowered the napkin and bowed her head.

Henri glanced at Abbott, who sat beside Lilith, his face blank.

Lilith looked around the table and absorbed the other's reactions. "Isn't that what you are?"

"Please don't tell me you are comparing us to that dreadful Court of Abaddon," Aunt Frou Frou said, "they are a bunch of ruthless imbeciles."

"Aunt Frou Frou," Elza said sternly, silencing the woman. She gave Lilith a glance of sympathy. "I know it's hard not to group every religion under one roof, especially concerning your circumstances, but you must know not everyone is cruel. The Prophet Society has a mission to make El Olam known to the world again. He is our creator and saviour. We aim to spread love and kindness, not hate and suffering."

To Elza's surprise, Lilith straightened up as if taking offence. "Concerning my circumstances?"

She flashed angry eyes at Henri, who gulped down a mouthful of water.

"How much did you tell her, Henri? Isn't there such a thing as maintaining confidentially at the bureau, or does everyone you work with know our life story?"

"No," Henri said. "It was a vulnerable moment. I thought I had lost my constable, and Miss Parks and I confided in each other. Surely you can understand the context of the situation."

"What else happened at Bulberry Lane? Should I be expecting a Prophet baby in nine months?"

Elza dropped her cutlery as Henri spat his water across the table.

Abbott choked on a piece of meat.

Nearby tables glanced in their direction, Aunt Frou Frou quickly waving them off with a desperate smile. It worked, all heads turning away. She glared at Lilith.

"What is wrong with you? Don't you possess a little respect?"

Lilith pushed back her chair. "Oh, I do, but I don't intend to give you any of it. Excuse me," she said, standing.

"Lilith," Henri said, holding out his hand. She slapped it aside and barged off, stepping outside.

Henri placed his napkin on the table and prepared to go after her. Elza grabbed his wrist.

"Let me," she said, standing.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what came over her."

"It's alright. I'll go talk to her."

Elza left the table and followed Lilith outside.

Henri looked at the two remaining members of his table, Aunt Frou Frou's face red with anger.

Abbott coughed into his arm and took a drink of water to free the food stuck in his throat.

***

Elza stepped into the night, leaving the warmth of the auditorium as she wandered into the estate gardens.

"Lilith?"

She saw a woman dressed in black standing on the boardwalk, her dark hair loose and waving in the wind.

Elza approached, hugging her arms around her waist as the cool ocean breeze embraced her.

"Lilith?"

"Go away."

"Please, can we talk? I didn't mean to offend you."

"Bringing up my past is hardly offensive, Miss Parks," Lilith said, turning to face her. "It's what you've done to my brother that upsets me."

"What exactly have I done to your brother, Lilith?"

"You wrapped him around your little finger," she sneered, "and now he has begun to see that there is more to you than a killer."

Elza frowned. "Killer?"

Lilith smiled. "How naive you are, Elza Parks, not to read between the lines. My brother told you everything you needed to know. Religious radicals killed our parents and bound us while they set the house on fire."

"What does that have to do with me?"

"It was the Prophet Society."

Elza froze, feeling her pulse slow and her heart almost stop. "What?"

"You heard me," Lilith said, tightening her tone. "We lost our family because of people like you."

"Those people you speak of, Lilith, who claimed to be Prophet members, radicalized violence and pursued their own agenda. We are instructed to be joyful worshipers, not killers."

"You are luring Henri to his death."

Elza snapped. "I sought your brother out to help me solve this case. He continues to pursue the investigation by his own choice and free will."

Lilith pushed her weight onto her left hip. "You are a charmer. Girls like you fish around for the closest man to catch, then you suck him dry and throw him crippled back into the sea."

"When it comes to wanted attention, then I think you're winning the game with that dress."

Lilith clenched her jaw. "You are trouble. Your faith, your attitude, everything about you is toxic. Stay away from my brother, or I will lead Abaddon back to your doorstep myself."

"How can you say that?" Elza asked, her voice faint. "You have been hurt, and I understand your pain, but you have got everything wrong. The Prophet Society is not your enemy, Lilith, nor am I."

"I've made up my mind. Nothing will change that, especially not you."

Lilith took her leave, heading back to the auditorium.

"Do not let one experience cloud your judgment," Elza advised. "Good people are dying—generous, loving, and caring people. You can't look at every member in that room and see only murderers."

Lilith stopped in her tracks. "I'm only here for my brother. Not for you, not for the cause, and certainly not to help solve this bloody case. If it were up to me, the fewer Prophet members walking in Trylla, the better."

She quickened her pace and vanished indoors, leaving Elza to shiver alone in the dark.