Chapter 20

The temple on the outskirts of Veridia was a massive, dome-like structure that loomed over the surrounding low-slung buildings. Julian stopped at the foot of the stone steps, his neck craning back to take in the scale of the architecture. He had never been a fan of religious institutions—too much ceremony, too little transparency—but the sheer weight of the history here was undeniable. This place was far more imposing than any of the neighborhood shrines he'd passed in his youth. He approached...