Round 8

As Jeane's words hung in the air, Hera took a hesitant step back from the glowing circle, her heart still racing with the aftershocks of magic. The church around them seemed to vibrate with residual energy, drawing Silra's attention to the hidden panel she had been tracing with her fingers. Abby stood frozen, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and excitement as she gazed upon the others, her face reflecting Hera's own bewilderment. Jeane's gaze locked onto Silra's, her sharp eyes meeting those bright teal ones without flinching. "The pact we made—it wasn't with any demon or devil you'd find in the dusty tomes," she said smoothly, her voice rich with satisfaction and barely contained power.