The knock came again.
"This is the Holy Order. Open the door."
Eliah's breath caught in her throat.
She rushed to Akian's room to the book.
Akian had left it on the table . She didn't hesitate. She took it to her room and moved to the loose floorboard .
She wiped her hands, steeled her breath, and opened the door.
Three Watchers. Two masked, one with a silver-trimmed hood — a senior agent. The one in front stepped in without waiting.
"Eliah Rael," the senior said. "By order of the High Order, we are searching your home for illegal relics which could be stolen from the forbidden place.
Eliah's voice remained steady. "Of course."
The Watchers dispersed through the house like hunting hounds. One went upstairs. Another to the storeroom.
The senior stayed with Eliah to keep eyes on her.
After searching Akian's room , the Watcher want to Eliah's room.
Moments later, a call came from the Watcher.
"Something here."
Eliah's heart stopped.
The watcher comes to the senior and shows the book to him.
The senior Watcher's face was unreadable behind the silver trim. "Where did you get this?"
Eliah stepped forward. "It's mine."
"And the boy?" the Watcher asked. "You have a son,right?"
Eliah's voice sharpened. "He has nothing to do with this. The book is mine. I've stolen it from the forbidden place."
The room fell into a heavy silence.
"Very well," the senior said. "You'll come with us and meet the Holy Order."
"Wait—" came a voice from the doorway.
Akian.
He stood there, chest heaving. He'd seen the Watchers leave, had run the whole way back.
"She's lying," he said. "The book—"
"No," Eliah snapped, turning on him, eyes blazing with something deeper than fear. "Say nothing, Akian. This has nothing to do with you."
The senior Watcher raised a hand. "Silence."
Akian took a step forward. "She didn't—"
Suddenly Akian's friend, Jurin come from back and restrain him from moving or saying anything.
"Do not make this worse," Eliah said, softer now. "Please."
Their eyes met — and Akian understood.
She was protecting him. Even now.
The Watchers moved in, binding her hands gently but firmly.
Eliah didn't resist. As she was taken to the Holy Order.
And Akian was left in the silence of the home that now felt too big, too empty, and too quiet.
To be continued…