Even after Her Death by Rita Bond

Chapter 381 Another Death

Chapter 381 Another Death 81%

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The old woman's gaze lingered on the Soul-Stabilizing Pendant, her face unreadable.

Without hesitation, I dropped to my knees. "Please, malam, if you know anything, tell me. This could mean everything to someone I care about."

Her eyes shifted toward me, calm yet piercing. "The man who came with you before-he's not with you this time?"

Zoey quickly knelt beside me, her hands gesturing in reassurance. "No, he's not here! Don't worry, he's far away. Look, if it'll help, I'll bow too. Just tell my sister what she needs to know."

"Both of you, get up," the old woman said, her tone firm but not unkind.

Zoey and I obeyed, settling cross-legged on the floor as she had.

"After you left last time," the old woman began, "that man returned to see me."

A sharp chill ran through me. Of course Carter would take matters into his own hands. A mere mention of him, and he'd already found her.

"What did he say?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

She ran her fingers over the smooth surface of the ocarina. "He gave me money. Told me to leave this place."

My hands curled into fists. "He's afraid you'll tell me the truth. But since you stayed, he won't let this drop!

Carter's nature was all too clear to me. His kindness was a mask he wore only for me.

If this was important enough to him, he'd stop at nothing to get what he wanted.

"I left," the old woman said, her voice calm, "but I knew you'd come."

Her words struck like a thunderclap. Zoey and I exchanged stunned glances.

"You knew we'd come?" Zoey asked, disbelief plain in her voice. "How could you possibly know that? It doesn't make sense!"

The woman's smile deepened, her eyes softening. The wrinkles at their corners somehow made her look gentler, as though she'd known us for years.

It was strange. Though I'd never seen her before, something about her felt familiar, like the echo of a memory I couldn't place.

"What do you want to ask me?" she said, ignoring Zoey's question entirely.

I drew in a shaky breath. "The last time we spoke, I told you I thought I understood what this was. But now, I'm not so sure. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe someone lied to me. You know what this is. Please, tell me the truth. What is this stone? What does it do? Is there a second one? And what did you mean by the things you said before?"

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Chapter 381 Another Death

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worn with age, moved slowly as her fingers traced the surface again and again, as if

said finally, "is the Stone of Duality, You were right-there is another piece. The black one represents

eyes widened. "Chloe, how on earth did

remained on

me, her gaze

the Stone of Duality can overturn destiny itself. If you live a life of wealth and ease, another will share in your blessings. But if your life is cut short, their fate will mirror yours. Neither escapes unscathed

never one to accept anything without a fight, leaned forward. "But how could

expression didn't shift. "Life and death are already written. No one gets something for

grabbed her hand, unable to mask my desperation. "Please, tell

you want to change it? If you do, there's a chance you'll die again. He brought you the Stone of Duality to take your

to save her. She doesn't deserve this. Take my life instead. I don't have anyone depending on me

deep sigh, her shoulders slumping

I exchanged a glance. I gave her arm a reassuring squeeze. "Don't do anything reckless. If she's still here waiting for us, there's a chance we can fix

a small smile breaking through her frustration. "You're probably right. Maybe we really did stumble onto someone who

Carter, with all his determination, could only find a life-for-life solution, was there any other

this unless he was

the faintest hope, I

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outside to a cherry blossom

Chapter 381 Another Death

well, its edges

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the petals, and the bells hanging from the tree chimed,

believe

snapped toward her, disbelief clouding my mind. I had never told her my name. Not once.

said finally, my voice unsteady. "But

to face what's waiting for

a wind chime that hung from one of its lower branches. Without hesitation, she

I couldn't ignore. My hands shook as I held it over the black void of the well. Taking a steadying breath, I released

below began to shift. Its inky surface rippled, then transformed, as

standing beside me, it must have

I saw it-every detail

no such thing as love without reason. Bonds

chose to repay it with the only thing he could

voice broke through my thoughts. "What did you see? I

at the old woman's sleeve. "You know who I am. You know my past. Please, tell

works over 81 days. How long

"It's been a little over two