The cobblestones of Aldric Thorn sounded beneath her steps.
Her leather suitcase hung in front of her, brushing against her thighs with each step. It was the loudest thing on the entire street.
There was no one. Doors were closed. Windows were secured. Suddenly, in the distance, a figure ran across a corner. It hid in an alley, disappearing into the shadows.
Lilith stopped. Looked around.
She was confused. A slight chill ran down her back. She began to feel scared, a strange sensation that tightened her chest.
She felt something different in the air.
A mist, or rather a thick white smoke, descended from the rooftops and covered the streets. It didn't smell like fire. It smelled of incense, of salt, of something ancient and heavy that slightly burned her throat.
From inside the suitcase, the little goblins began to whimper. Muffled growls. Laden with pain.
"Damn it!" Lilith whispered.
She tightened her grip on the suitcase handle. Looked around. The smoke grew thicker.
"Psst."
The sound came from above.
Lilith looked up. On a second floor, a man stuck his head out the window. He was calling her. He made a quick gesture with his hand. An invitation to enter.
She went to the wooden door. It was unlocked. She entered.
The man hurried down the stairs.
"What's happening?" asked Lilith.
"The church is cleansing."
The back of Lilith's neck tensed.
"What do you mean?"
"The high priest ordered an energy cleansing," the man explained, lowering his voice. "The army called a curfew. Everyone must be under a roof."
He crossed his arms, rubbing his shoulders from tension.
"But if we stay here, nothing will happen, right?"
"Yes!" the man answered quickly. "Only until evening. Then it will all be over."
"All right."
Lilith walked to a chair by the wall. She sat down.
The man went about his business. He arranged some dishes, moved some fabrics on a nearby table. Lilith just hugged her suitcase. She kept it on her lap, her arms firm around the dark leather.
As the minutes passed, the white smoke outside seemed to become more oppressive. Small growls began to come from inside the bag. Weak scratches.
The man stopped. Turned his head.
"Do you have an animal in there?"
"Some kittens," Lilith replied, without looking at him.
The man frowned. Took a step closer.
"I don't think so."
Lilith looked up. Her face became a mask of annoyance. She pushed the suitcase aside on the chair with a sharp movement.
"You should."
The man swallowed. Looked at her suspiciously.
"You're not trafficking, are you?"
"Of course not," said Lilith. "I found them around."
Just then, a different growl broke the silence. Harsher. More monstrous, though small. It sounded like the cracking of bones.
The man paled. The blood drained from his face. He stepped back two paces.
"If you say anything," said Lilith, her voice empty of any emotion, "everyone here will die."
The man's eyes widened. He looked at her. Looked at the suitcase. His lips trembled for a moment before he frowned, seeking refuge in his own ignorance.
"What!" he exclaimed, shaking his head. "Why?"
He turned around, returning to his dishes.
"Tsk. Crazy old woman."
He went to the back of the house. He did not speak to her again.
The hours passed in tense silence.
At dusk, the city bells rang. The curfew was over.
Lilith stood up. Left the house without saying goodbye.
Outside, the smoke was thicker. A dense wall that barely let you see beyond ten meters. Almost no one had come out anyway. Fear kept them locked inside. But Lilith had to return to the perfume shop.
She quickened her pace.
The little goblins began to whimper again. The pure energy of the church burned them even through the walls of the suitcase.
She couldn't fly there in the city. She could only run.
Her shoes struck the cobblestones. Her breathing quickened.
Had they discovered her?
She clenched her teeth. She had to be careful.
She stopped abruptly.
Ahead, in the white mist, she saw silhouettes. Tall formations. Shadows carrying long spears.
Lilith lifted off the ground. She floated just above the cobblestones to make no noise. She moved backward slowly. Let her own silhouette disappear into the thick smoke. She slid to the side, placing herself behind a large stone column in a closed portico.
"Who goes there?"
The guard's voice broke the silence.
Nothing. Lilith held her breath behind the column.
"I saw you!" the guard shouted. "Show yourself immediately!"
Absolute silence.
Heavy steps were heard. Boots against stone, approaching her position.
"This will be punished!" the voice warned, pointing the lance blindly forward into the mist.
Walking firmly, he reached the portico. He turned around the column where Lilith was hiding.
They looked at each other.
The guard opened his eyes in surprise upon encountering the young woman.
She was serious. Her face expressionless.
She stretched out her hand toward him.