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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moved slowly as her fingers

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

how on earth did you

on the old woman "What does it

straight at me, her gaze steady

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

to accept anything without a fight, leaned forward. "But how could he have known you were going

"Life and death are

larger now, like she was a step ahead of us in a game we didn't fully understand. I grabbed her hand, unable to mask my desperation. "Please, tell me more. How does it work? What has to happen

you'll die again. He brought you the Stone

not her! Ma'am, you must know a way 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 slightly. "You two...

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

small smile breaking through her frustration. "You're probably right. Maybe we really did stumble onto someone who can help. Like a guide or something." Her optimism barely touched me. My thoughts churned, tangled

could only find

knew him. He wouldn't do this unless he was

there was even the faintest hope,

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led us outside to a cherry blossom tree, its branches covered in delicate blooms. Beside

Chapter 381 Another Death

an ancient stone well, its

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light breeze rustled the petals, and the bells hanging from the tree chimed, their clear tones echoing softly

believe in

head snapped toward her, disbelief clouding my mind. I had never

I said finally, my voice unsteady. "But now,

face

moved toward the tree and unhooked a wind chime that hung from one of its lower branches. Without hesitation, she placed it

but its presence carried a gravity I couldn't ignore. My hands shook as I held it

the still water below began to shift. Its inky surface

stretched endlessly, the air heavy and electric. For Zoey, standing beside

I saw it-every detail of the

no such thing as love without reason. Bonds don't

so profound that he chose to repay it with the

"What did you see?

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

"The Stone of Duality works over

"It's been a little over two