The messenger arrived at noon.
Thaddeus read it in front of the main door of the St. Sophia Sanatorium, with Celestine six feet away and her arms crossed over her chest.
Exarch Tertius's seal was red and big, the size of a palm.
"Twenty-four hours," Thaddeus said without looking up from the paper.
"Novice Raziel Celeste must be handed over to the Inquisition's custody before dawn tomorrow, or the Dawn Inquisitors will take the facilities by force."
Celestine didn't blink.
"This sanatorium operates under the direct jurisdiction of the Council of Exarchs, Exarch Tertius has no authority over my patients."
"He is not your patient anymore, he is a suspect of active heresy."
"Then let his Exarch come personally." Celestine turned and went inside. "Good morning, Inquisitor."
The door closed.
Thaddeus folded the paper carefully and put it in his robe, looking at the building for a long moment.
