Pray For Me, Then Kiss me

CHAPTER 15: The Inquisition Arrives

They came with fire.

12 of them. White robes. Holy weapons. Swords that burned.

They surrounded the hospital at dawn. Sirens in the distance. News helicopters.

"Come out, Fallen!" their leader yelled. Voice amplified. "Renounce the Shadow or burn!"

People in the basement started panicking. Kids crying.

Sister Mara pushed us to the back door. "Run. I’ll hold them."

"No," Elias said. His voice was steel. "We fight."

"With what? Prayers?"

"With truth."

He walked out the front door. Hands up. No weapon. Bare feet on the concrete.

I followed. Heart pounding. This was stupid. This was brave.

The Inquisition circled us. 12 to 2.

"I’m not a priest anymore," Elias called out. His voice didn’t shake. "And he’s not a Shadow anymore. We’re just two men who love each other. Is that a crime?"

The leader raised his sword. Fire ran down the blade. "Yes."

Mara was screaming from inside. "Elias, get back!"

I grabbed Elias’s hand. His palm was sweating.

"If this is it," I whispered.

"Then it’s us," he whispered back.

The leader took a step forward. "On your knees."

Elias didn’t move. "I knelt to God for 30 years. I won’t kneel to fear."

And that’s when the sky cracked open.

Not with thunder. With light.

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