*At the Academy*
Bella stood by the tall window, arms crossed tightly, her eyes fixed on the distant skies as worry clouded her face.
"Bella, calm down," her brother, Chief Sam, said gently from behind.
She turned sharply. "Calm down? Sam, my children are out there. Demons are loose, and we don't even know who they'll possess next! We need to warn them—we *have* to!"
Sam sighed. "I've already taken precautions. James… I sent him to the East Palace for training. He was later transferred to the South—he's now serving as the South King's right-hand man."
Bella blinked. "Sam… he's just a *teenager*. Isn't he too young for that?"
There was a pause.
"Bella," Sam said carefully, "we… made him older."
Her expression darkened. "*What?* You used demon magic on my son?"
"It was to protect him," Sam said quickly. "To keep him safe."
"Do you even *know* where he is now?" Bella demanded.
"I think he's with Blake," Sam answered.
"You *think*?" she echoed, voice rising.
"I *know*," he corrected firmly. "Steel—is one of my most trusted inspectors. Highly trained. He'll keep James safe."
Bella turned away, exhaling slowly. "Do you still use ravens for communication? It's been so long… I feel like I don't know anything about this place anymore."
Sam walked up and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We used to… but ravens are easy targets for demons. Now we rely on doves—and the Big Screen."
Bella turned to him. "Big Screen?"
"It's like what the outside world calls a phone. I used it to speak with the commissioner… but ever since the Queen signed that contract, the network's been jammed. We've adapted some outside tech, but we still don't know where Dame's mansion is located on the Hive, so we can't reach them directly."
"So, we're left with the old ways," Bella said. "The doves."
"Yes. But it could take days—or a week—to reach them."
"Then we don't have time to waste," she said, standing tall. "We must send the message *now*."
Sam gave a small nod. "Then come with me. Let's do it."
They turned together and left the room, urgency in their steps as the storm outside began to stir.
*Moments Later…*
Sam stepped outside, his expression focused. Inspector Fave approached, holding a small white dove gently in her hands.
"She's ready," Fave said.
Sam nodded and took a silver necklace from his pocket. It shimmered faintly with embedded runes and a small crystal at its center.
"What is that?" Bella asked, watching closely.
"It's more than just a necklace," Sam replied, carefully placing it around the dove's neck. "The moment Shine touches it, the message—encrypted and stored in the crystal—will be delivered directly to her mind."
Bella's eyes widened. "How is that even possible?"
Sam allowed himself a small smile. "I told you—we've adapted. Blending magic with outside tech. This necklace uses hive-link enchantment fused with micro-transmission crystals. It's fast, undetectable by most demons, and precise."
Fave released the dove into the air. Its wings caught the wind, and it soared gracefully toward the horizon.
"Will it find her?" Bella asked, still watching the sky.
"It will," Sam said confidently. "That necklace is attuned to Shine's essence. No matter where she is… it'll reach her."
They stood in silence, watching the dove vanish into the distance, carrying hope on fragile wings.