A lady of Resilience

Chapter 26: Shadows in Parliament

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The streets were unusually quiet as Seraphina and Ashford made their way through the city under the cover of night. Every sound seemed amplified in the darkness—the creak of a distant wagon wheel, the bark of a dog in a nearby alley, the whisper of wind through the narrow streets. But tonight, they weren't just shadows in the city; they were walking straight into the heart of danger.

They had spent the last several days preparing. Every detail of their plan had been carefully mapped out, each member of the resistance briefed and ready for their role. Yet despite all the planning, a knot of anxiety tightened in Seraphina's chest as they neared their destination. Parliament was heavily guarded, and one wrong move could mean the end for all of them. But they didn't have a choice. If they failed, Montrose would seize control of London, and everything they'd fought for would be lost.

Ashford glanced at her, his face hidden beneath the shadow of his cloak, but she could feel his presence beside her, steady and reassuring. His confidence gave her strength, but it also reminded her of the stakes. This wasn't just about defeating Montrose—it was about protecting the people they cared about, the lives that hung in the balance.

"Are you ready?" Ashford asked quietly as they stopped in the shadows of a narrow alley, just a few streets away from Parliament.

Seraphina took a deep breath, steadying her nerves. "I'm ready."

Their small group had split into teams to infiltrate Parliament from multiple points. Ashford and Seraphina were tasked with finding Montrose's office, where they hoped to uncover the documents they needed to expose his bribery and corruption. The others would create distractions and disable the guards, buying them time to search.

They moved quickly and silently, their cloaks blending into the night as they approached the outer wall of Parliament. The massive stone structure loomed above them, its grandeur a stark reminder of the power Montrose was about to seize. But tonight, it felt vulnerable—like a fortress whose walls were about to crumble from within.

Eleanor was already waiting for them by the back entrance, her sharp eyes scanning the street for any signs of trouble. She nodded as they approached, her usual cool demeanor unshaken.

"The guards are distracted for now," Eleanor whispered, motioning to the side of the building. "John and Thom are handling the ones at the front. We need to move quickly before they realize what's happening."

Seraphina nodded, her heart pounding as they slipped through the heavy wooden door. The narrow corridor inside was dimly lit, the flickering light of lanterns casting long shadows along the stone walls. Seraphina's pulse quickened as they moved deeper into the labyrinth of hallways, each step taking them closer to Montrose's inner sanctum.

They had studied the layout of the building in the days leading up to the mission, memorizing every passage, every staircase. Montrose's office was on the second floor, tucked away in a corner where few people ever ventured. He preferred his privacy, Seraphina knew, especially when it came to his more illicit dealings.

The air inside Parliament felt thick with tension, as if the very walls were holding their breath, waiting for the chaos that would soon unfold. They passed a few scattered servants, who paid them little attention, and Seraphina marveled at how easy it had been to slip in. But she knew the hard part was yet to come.

They reached the staircase leading to Montrose's office, the narrow stone steps winding upward in silence. As they climbed, Seraphina's mind raced with the possibilities of what they might find. Montrose had been careful, but if the documents were there—if they could prove his corruption—then they would have the leverage they needed to bring him down.