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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slowly as her fingers traced

were right-there is another piece. The black one represents negative energy, while the one in your hand represents positive

on earth

My focus remained on the old woman "What does it

her gaze steady and intent. It

didn't falter as she continued. "Whoever possesses 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 I had suspected something

fight, leaned forward. "But how could he have known you were going to die?

expression didn't shift. "Life and death are

her hand, unable to

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

know a way to save her. She doesn't deserve this. Take my life instead. I don't have anyone

a 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

onto someone who can help. Like a guide

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

wouldn't do this unless he was out

there was even the faintest hope, I had to hold on

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cherry blossom tree, its branches covered in delicate blooms. Beside

Chapter 381 Another Death

ancient stone well, its edges worn smooth

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the petals, and the bells hanging from the tree chimed, their clear tones echoing softly in

do you believe in past

her, disbelief clouding my mind. I had never told

I said finally, my voice

time to face what's waiting for

moved toward the tree and unhooked a wind chime that hung from one of its lower branches. Without hesitation, she placed it in my hands. "Drop this into the

light, almost weightless, but its presence carried a gravity I couldn't ignore. My hands shook as I held it over the

the still water below began to shift. Its inky surface rippled, then transformed,

stretched endlessly, the air heavy and electric. For Zoey, standing beside me, it must have passed

detail of the past we

as love without reason. Bonds don't form by chance; they are forged across

profound that he chose to repay

through my thoughts. "What did you see? I didn't

at the old woman's sleeve.

of Duality works over 81

"It's been a little over two months. Maybe seven days