The static in the air felt like a cruel whisper. Veronica's wings-once radiant, now dulled by soot and shame--dragged behind her, trembling. She could still taste ash on her tongue. Not the ash of flame, but the kind born of betrayal to protect a child but instead kills after making a deal with god for a second chance to live. The kind Heaven doesn't forgive for falling for a sinner whom she doesn't know by name