Page 82 - DivineSparkRising II-TheMirrorofSilenceFinal

Divine Spark Rising
“Peace is not popular,” Sofia went on. “But it is
merciful.”
The white circle pulsed in sync with her voice.
The city’s volume dropped a notch without anyone
choosing to lower it. Radios in windows slid their
dials down by themselves. A boy’s shout softened
into a whisper mid-air.
Sera’s fingers tightened around the roof ledge.
“She’s turning listening into obedience.”
3. The Offer
Sofia’s image widened until it seemed to stand
in the harbor itself, feet in the water, head in the
low clouds.
“I am the Curator,” she said. “Not a ruler. A
librarian of the human spirit. I do not punish. I sort.
I remove duplicates. I preserve what matters.”
Her mouth lifted in a small, sorrowing smile.
“Henry Talbot,” she said, “you taught me that
people want to choose. I believed you. Then I
listened longer.”
Henry’s heart shifted, a chair moved in his chest.
“You always listen longer,” he whispered.
“Choice makes orphan futures,” Sofia said. “The
Mirror will foster them. We will take words that
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