Chapter 160
★62%
Ever since I heard that Deckard is alive, my chem have stopped pounding uncontrollably.
What has he been going through all this time it is no wonder i couldnt bring myself to reject him–not even in my mind.
And Ezra–she’s practically bouncing with excitement.
“I told you he wasn’t dead! I begged you to let us go find him, but you wouldn’t listen!” she hammers, her voice sharp with triumph.
“Well, as you heard, he’s in a terrible state! Did you detect that too?” I mock,
Jack and I manage to get a horse and ride for what feels like an eternity until we finally reach the outskirts of Red Valley.
As we draw closer, I can feel the strange energy in the air, thick and unnatural. The people here are not normal. Sensing the change. Jack and I abandon the horse and continue on foot, moving cautiously until we reach the entrance of the village.
Just as we are about to step inside, an old man stumbles toward us. He looks frail, covered in dust, his eyes sunken with age and exhaustion
“Aliens” he croaks, pointing directly at me.
Jack pulls me away, urging me forward as he continues walking
Before I can process what’s happening, a rough, scaly hand grips my other arm.
“Alien! Where do you think you’re going?”
I turn sharply, heart pounding, only to see the same dusty old man clutching me with surprising strength.
The moment Jack notices, he yanks the man’s hand off me and, without thinking, strikes him with the back of his hand. The old man stumbles, nearly losing his balance.
“Oh shit,” Jack mutters, his eyes wide with regret. “I–I’m sorry, old man—”
But before he can finish, the old man lets out a piercing yell
“Run, Amica! Run inside! I’ll meet you!” Jack shouts.
Panic grips me. I don’t want to leave him–I don’t want to be alone in this strange place. He’s the last familiar person I have here.
But I obey. Without hesitation, I slip into the crowd, weaving between strangers as my heart hammers in my chest.
“Alien!” the old man cries out again, his voice rising above the noise.
Jack sees now–this man only wants trouble. He curses under his breath, then turns and runs too.
I blend into the crowd of unfamiliar, strange–looking people. How am I supposed to find Deckard now?
First, I manage to slip out of the dense throng, my heart still racing. I know asking questions right now would be dangerous, but sooner or later, I’ll have to.
Spotting a dimly lit tavern, I slip inside and take a seat, waiting–hoping–that someone I know will walk through the door.
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Chapter 160
Leonard said he would return. Jack said he would return. But where are they? Why can’t I see anyone? Not even a single Gamma warrior.
“When Leonard was about to leave us, he told us to go to Redvalley and find someone,” I mutter under my breath, trying to recall the name, “Was it Fred? Frank? Francesca?”
Damn, i cant remember. I do not want to leave this spot—I don’t want to risk losing my only chance at finding Deckard. But there’s no time to waste. They said Deckard is in critical condition, and every second that passes makes me more desperate to see him.
I sit there, lost in thought, trying to find a way to naturally gravitate toward him.
I should be able to do that. But something about this place feels… off. It is unsettling–like multiple forces clashing against each other, this place reeks of evil and dark magic. I just know!
Maybe I should ask around…I glance left and right, searching for a face I can trust.
As I scan the tavern, a young woman approaches me.
“I see you’re new here,” she says smoothly. “Are you looking for something in particular? A love potion? A bonding spell? Perhaps a silent, untraceable poison? Or maybe… you wish to bear a child? I can give you all that.”
Her voice is light, almost playful, but her words send a chill through me.
She doesn’t look a day over fourteen–maybe fifteen at most. Or younger. I stare at her, trying to understand how someone so young could speak so casually of such things.
For a long moment, I say nothing. Then, finally, I shake off my doubt. “Oh no,” I say carefully. “I’m looking for someone. Can you help me?” I study her closely,
A slow smile spreads across her lips. “Of course, I can help you. Who are you looking for?”
I hesitate at first, then take a breath. “I’m looking for a healer.”
“Of course, I’m a healer!” she smiles “What’s the problem? What are you suffering from?”
“I’m not suffering from anything,” I reply. “It’s my mate–he’s the one who’s sick. But another healer is already taking care of him.”
Her eyes flicker with recognition. “Hmm…Yes… I might have heard about him. I can take you to him,” she says, then pauses, tilting her head. “But first, you’ll have to pay me.”
“Pay you? I don’t have anything to give.”
“Oh, it doesn’t have to be much,” she purrs, eyeing me up and down. “Maybe that glowing necklace you have on… or that beautiful jade hairpin. It must be worth something.”
I instinctively touch my hairpin, my fingers brushing over its surface.
“Yes, I can give you my hairpin. And you’re right–it is valuable. But you have to take me to my mate first,” I say, hoping I’m not striking a bargain with the devil.
She smiles, “I get it. But…” She leans in slightly. “Once we start the journey to see your… mate… you hand over the hairpin.”
Her eyes flick to my face, analyzing me. “I mean, it’s just a hairpin! And judging by your skin… and the way you smell,” she inhales deeply, “you’re rich. I know you have more where that came from.”
I sigh in surrender. She’s right–it’s just a hairpin. One of the many gifts Deckard gave me when I first arrived at Blackthorn
Castle.
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Chapter 160
I doubt it holds any real meaning to him, though everything I’ve received from him means the world to me. But I have plenty of gifts. I am the Luna of Luna, and I’m showered with treasures from time to time–some I’ve never even bothered to open. The jade pin is nothing.
“Fine,” I say, giving in.
“What’s your name?” I ask, studying her.
“Freya,” she replies with a smile.
Could this be the same name Leonard told us about?
“I’m sorry to ask, but… do you know a Leonard? He was here not long ago, I explain
“No, I haven’t heard of anyone with such name,” she says, then adding an innocent curiosity, “Is he also your mate?
I snicker. “No. Never mind,” I say quickly.
Maybe it’s just a coincidence.Mabe the person Leonard spoke about wasnt Freya afterall.
“Please, take me to him,” I urge, my patience running thin.
