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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care and reached for mystone. Her hands, worn with age, moved slowly as her fingers

the Stone of Duality, You were right-there is another piece. The black one represents negative energy, while the one in

on earth did you figure that

focus remained on the old

straight at me, her gaze steady and intent. It

a life of wealth and ease, another will share in your blessings. But if your life is cut short,

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

old woman's expression didn't shift. "Life and death are already written. No one gets

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 for it to take effect?

steady. "Are you sure 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 place

does Chloe have to die? The ones who deserve it are those monsters, not her! Ma'am, you must know a way to save her. She doesn't

old woman let out a deep sigh, her shoulders

I exchanged a glance. I gave her arm a reassuring squeeze. "Don't do anything

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

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

He wouldn't do this

hope, I had to

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

Chapter 381 Another Death

stone well, its edges worn smooth by

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and the bells hanging from the tree chimed, their

do you believe in past

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

I said finally, my voice unsteady. "But

face what's waiting for

hung from one of its lower branches. Without hesitation, she placed it in my hands. "Drop

gravity I couldn't ignore. My hands shook as I held it over the black

still water below began to shift. Its inky surface

For Zoey, standing beside me, it must have passed

detail

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

so profound that he chose to

my thoughts. "What did

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

waver. "The Stone of Duality works over

counting. "It's been a little over