Two days later, Lydia and several other chosen ones boarded a luxurious bus bound for the place the senior healer had described as a sanctuary of purification before the Saintess's blessing.
The vehicle itself was magnificent, gleaming white with gold trim, wide tinted windows, and seats so soft they seemed to swallow whoever sat in them.
Air-conditioning hummed gently, perfuming the cabin with faint hints of lavender. It was the kind of ride meant to soothe nerves and impress the passengers with the wealth and holiness of their destination.
For everyone else, it worked. Laughter filled the aisles as they exchanged jokes, sang cheerful hymns, and snapped playful remarks at one another.
Their voices mingled with the soft music playing overhead, a harmony of merriment that made the journey feel almost like a celebration.
Everyone except Lydia.
