Did Naic really just choose me at random?

  The question circled through Lilith's mind like a vulture.

  Was it really a whim? Or was there something else? Some reason I specifically ended up here?

  Did he lie to me?

  But that didn't make sense. Why would Naic lie? What would he gain from it? He'd been oddly honest about everything else—casual, almost bored with the whole situation. He hadn't seemed like someone with a secret agenda.

  But what if he did have one? What if there's more to this than he told me?

  And that woman in the dream—

  Who was she? Why did she feel so familiar?

  Lilith wanted to slam her head against something. Hard. Maybe that would knock the confusion loose, make the pieces fit together in some comprehensible pattern.

  But she couldn't. Because she was sitting in the middle of a classroom, surrounded by other children, listening to the tech-priest drone on about the Horus Heresy.

  Focus. Just focus on the lesson. Stop thinking about impossible questions.

  She tried. She really did.

  But her mind kept wandering back to that temple, that golden statue, that woman with the shifting features and knowing smile.

  "You promised you'd stay with me."

  What did that even mean?

  Her gaze drifted, unfocused, scanning the classroom without really seeing it.

  And then her eye landed on Eve.

  Her twin sat beside her, as always, but for once she wasn't watching Lilith or staring into space. She was actually paying attention to the lesson—or at least, to the data-slate in front of her, where she was carefully copying text from the projected display.

  Her movements were precise. Focused. The kind of concentration she used to reserve only for Lilith's direct instructions.

  She's learning. Really learning. Not just memorizing what I tell her, but actively engaging with the material.

  Something warm bloomed in Lilith's chest, pushing aside the anxiety and confusion.

  She's making progress. Real progress.

  And it wasn't just the academic stuff. Eve spoke normally now—well, mostly. She still preferred short, simple words, but she could construct full sentences when she needed to. She asked questions. Expressed preferences. Showed emotion beyond that blank stare she'd had when they first met.

  She's becoming more human. More herself.

  Lilith couldn't help but smile.

  Eve must have felt her gaze because she glanced up, red eyes meeting Lilith's mismatched ones.

  For a moment, they just looked at each other.

  Then Lilith's smile widened slightly, and she gave a small nod of encouragement.

  Eve's expression remained mostly neutral, but there was a subtle shift—a barely perceptible softening around her eyes that Lilith had learned to recognize as contentment.

  Eve shifted closer, closing the small gap between them, until their shoulders touched.

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  The contact was grounding. Comforting.

  She's adorable, Lilith thought, not for the first time. Even when she's being all serious and focused, there's something endearing about her.

  Lilith reached over and gently took Eve's hand under the desk.

  Eve's fingers immediately curled around hers, gripping with careful pressure—strong enough to be reassuring, gentle enough not to hurt.

  She didn't show any outward reaction, her face remaining focused on the data-slate. But Lilith could feel the slight tension leave Eve's posture. The way she leaned just a bit more into the contact.

  She likes this. Being close. Being connected.

  Good. So do I.

  For a few precious minutes, Lilith forgot about the dreams. Forgot about mysterious women and cosmic entities and questions with no answers.

  There was just this moment. This quiet connection with her twin.

  Maybe some things aren't worth knowing, she thought. Maybe I should stop trying to figure out the cosmic puzzle and just... focus on what I have.

  Eve. The orphanage. Learning. Teaching. Small, manageable goals.

  The rest... the rest can wait.

  Later, as they walked through the orphanage corridors toward the dining hall, Lilith felt lighter than she had in days.

  The mystery still gnawed at the edges of her mind, but she'd pushed it down. Contained it. Decided to deal with it later—or never, if she was lucky.

  Eve walked beside her, their hands still clasped, both of them navigating the familiar route without needing to think about it.

  Then Lilith saw something that made her stop dead.

  Down a side corridor, near the administrative offices—

  Sister Prudence.

  Standing rigid, her usually stern expression even harsher than normal.

  And facing her—

  Inquisitor Rathken.

  Even from a distance, Lilith could see the tension. Sister Prudence's hands were clenched at her sides. The Inquisitor's posture was aggressive, leaning forward slightly in a way that suggested confrontation rather than conversation.

  Their voices were raised. Lilith couldn't make out the exact words, but the tone was clear.

  They were arguing.

  What's going on?

  Lilith's feet moved before she consciously decided to get closer. Eve followed, matching her pace, her own attention now locked on the confrontation.

  As they approached, the words became clearer.

  "—exceeded your authority!" Sister Prudence was saying, her voice sharp as a blade. "You agreed to observe from a distance. Those were the terms set by the Salamanders—"

  "The Salamanders do not dictate to the Inquisition," Rathken interrupted, his tone cold and cutting. "My agreement was a professional courtesy. Nothing more. And if I determine that continued close observation is necessary—"

  "You will do nothing of the sort." Sister Prudence stepped forward, unflinching despite being less than half his size. "These children are under protection. You will respect that."

  Rathken's hand moved.

  Slowly. Deliberately.

  To the bolt pistol holstered at his hip.

  Lilith's blood turned to ice.

  He's going to shoot her. He's actually going to—

  "Hand them over," Rathken said, his voice dropping to something dangerously quiet. "The gene-seed abominations. Hand them over now, and this matter ends peacefully."

  Sister Prudence didn't move. Didn't flinch. "No."

  The Inquisitor's fingers wrapped around the grip of his weapon.

  Eve tensed beside Lilith, her body coiling like a spring ready to release. Her eyes were locked on Rathken, and Lilith could feel the shift in her posture—the way she was preparing to move, to fight, to kill if necessary.

  Sister Prudence is kind. Sister Prudence is friend. Sister Prudence protected us.

  Those were the concepts Lilith had taught her. And Eve took them seriously.

  If Rathken drew that weapon, Eve would act.

  And that would be a disaster.

  But something was wrong.

  Lilith couldn't put her finger on it, but something about this entire situation felt... off.

  Ha'ken convinced him to back off. Ha'ken said he'd handle it. He wouldn't lie about that. Salamanders are supposed to be honorable.

  So why is Rathken here? Why is he threatening Sister Prudence?

  Why does this feel like...

  "Who are you?"

  The words left Lilith's mouth before she fully processed the thought.

  Both adults turned to look at her.

  Sister Prudence's expression shifted to alarm. "Lilith! Get back! Take Eve and—"

  But Lilith wasn't looking at Sister Prudence.

  She was staring at the Inquisitor.

  Really staring.

  His face was right. His uniform was right. His authority was right.

  But something felt wrong.

  Like looking at a painting that was technically perfect but still somehow not quite real.

  "Who are you?" she repeated, her voice stronger now despite the fear coursing through her. "What are you?"

  The temperature in the corridor dropped.

  Not gradually. Not metaphorically.

  Actually dropped.

  Lilith could see her breath misting in the air. Could feel ice beginning to form on the metal walls. Could sense something ancient and terrible shifting in the space around them.

  The Inquisitor's face didn't change.

  But his eyes became focused on Lilith as he paused for a moment.

  “What are you talking about, child? Are you accusing me of impersonation?” His eyes becomes sharp as his gaze never leaves Lilith.

  But, Lilith stood her ground. Was it foolishness or bravery that lets her remained calm at the situation?

  Perhaps both but this is something that she cannot walk away from.

  Not anymore.