Chapter 84
Claudio’s tone was calm, like he was just recounting someone else’s story.
He was just sharing a friend’s story.
He said, “Back then, he was just a kid. He didn’t even know who his enemies were, let alone if he could ever get revenge.
“An old sorcerer happened to pass by his home, saw the whole massacre, and found the boy hiding armong the
corpses.
“Feeling pity for him, the sorcerer took him in and brought him back to the First Unity Coven.
“Even though he was just a kid, he was wise beyond his years. He felt responsible for what happened to his family. After he came to the First Unity Coven, he didn’t say a word for ten whole years.
“But the folks at the First Unity Coven were something else. There was Craig, always making a fuss. Rafael, who was always plotting his next escape and never seemed to think things through.
“Laura is pure–hearted as they come. Lucien Bates is fiercely protective of his own.
“Of course, there was the old sorcerer.
“They never once blamed the mute kid. They always had his back…”
Claudio gazed into Linda’s eyes, as if searching for a piece of himself in her. “So, when he turned thirteen, he finally spoke up and talked to them.”
Linda’s hands gripped the armrests of her chair so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Claudio said, “He spent the happiest days of his life at the First Unity Coven, as if that nightmare when he was three had never happened. But years later, he came to realize he was an omen of misfortune.”
Claudio stared at Linda, his eyes reddening, his voice trembling with barely contained anger. “He was a bringer of calamity, a living curse.
“His entire family perished because of him, and the First Unity Coven was destroyed for the same reason.
“Everyone who ever cared about him met their end.
“Anyone who got close to him would find only misfortune.
“My friend told me, the quickest way to save the First Unity Coven is…”
Claudio spoke each word slowly and deliberately. “Kill him.”
Linda’s head snapped toward Claudio.
Claudio didn’t flinch. He stared at her, so calm it was almost scary. “Kill me, and you can save the First Unity
Chapter 84
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Coven. Linda, I know you can
Linda stared at Claudio, the thought hitting her out of nowhere. She couldn’t believe it. “You came to the First Unity Coven knowing you wouldn’t leave alive?”
Claudio didn’t answer, just gave a wry, self–deprecating smile. “My friend said, with the world so big, he had nowhere else to go.
“Before dying, he just wanted to return to the old place, see some familiar faces, and catch up with an old friend. That was all he could ask for.”
He smiled. “I’ve got no regrets left.”
Linda shot to her feet, moving so fast she knocked over the brazier, but she didn’t even care. She marched straight up to Claudio, eyes blazing.
Linda shouted furiously, “What the hell are you even saying?”
Claudio stayed eerily calm, locking eyes with her. “You know exactly what it’s like to have nowhere to belong.”
Linda’s eyes rimmed with red.
Claudio said with a faint smile, “I’m just here in his place, to see things one last time. He said seeing you where he used to be made him happy. Go on. Do it.
“I won’t fight back.”
Linda knew he wouldn’t fight back. She could see the longing for death written all over his face.
He really did come here looking for death.
Linda closed her eyes and took a steadying breath, her tone grave.
“Claudio,” she said.
She opened her eyes again, as if she’d made a decision. Claudio’s eyes were clouded with confusion as she looked at him. “You know how I am. If someone wrongs me, I get even. If someone helps me, I pay them back.”
Claudio said, “Honestly, I don’t.”
Linda let out a laugh, both annoyed and amused. She grabbed Claudio’s face, making him meet her gaze. “In my previous life, you saved me and gave me a home. This time, I’m the one looking out for you.”
Claudio froze, caught off guard.
Linda spoke each word with fierce determination. “I’ve got your back. As long as I’m breathing, I’ll protect you. If anyone wants you dead, they’ll have to get through me.
“I received your kindness, and I’ll return the favor.“.
Chapter 84
Claudio stared at her, stunned, trying to take in her words really understand what you’re saying?”
ong pause, he narrowed his eyes. “Do you
Linda’s voice was cold and unwavering. “I know exactly what I’m saying, and I know exactly what I’m doing It’s taken me a lifetime to figure out who deserves my protection and who doesn’t.
“I’ll protect First Unity Coven and you.”
Claudio’s voice was icy. “If it’s me or the First Unity Coven, who would you pick?”
Linda didn’t hesitate. “No question. I’d choose the First Unity Coven
Claudio’s voice was cold as ice. “Then you should kill me.”
Linda looked Claudio straight in the eye. “It’s not come to that yet.”
Claudio paused, caught off guard.
Linda stepped closer. “It’s not at the point where I have to choose between you and the First Unity Coven. Because before it comes to that, we’ve got a third option.”
Claudio was forced back a step, but Linda just kept coming, closing the distance between them.
She didn’t stop until Claudio was backed up against the table, with nowhere left to retreat.
Linda’s voice dropped to a low, dangerous allure. “We could always just kill everyone else.”
Claudio stared at Linda, a bit dazed, trying to see if she was actually serious. After a long pause, he rubbed his forehead and chuckled. “You really are something else…”
Linda met his gaze, her eyes blazing. “So, are we really going to kill them?”
Claudio saw how serious she was, and for a moment, he couldn’t hold her gaze. He looked away, his voice dropping. “But I don’t even know who my enemies are.”
He’d spent his whole life searching, but he never figured it out.
Linda said softly, “Claudio, this time, you’re not fighting alone. You’ve got me on your
side.”
She reached out her hand. “Let’s team up.”
Claudio looked at her hand. It wasn’t gentle or fragile at all, Linda’s hand was rough and strong, toughened by years of hard training.
Always, no matter the odds, she was like a bramble clawing her way upward.
Even if those thorns tore her up and left her bleeding, she never flinched.
She stuck to her own bottom line.
She never strayed from her own way.
Chapter 84
Even in her previous life, when she didn’t have the Child- clawed her way through a world packed with cultivators.
She burst into everyone’s view, impossible to ignore.
She forged her own destiny.
Linda never bowed to fate, not once.
If anyone tried to block her path, they were as good as dead.
nd could barely muster any mana, Linda still her own trail.
But for those she called her own, Claudio knew better than anyone just how far she’d go for them.
Back when Rafael was around, he scored all kinds of perks from her, and she was always happy to help him
out.
Claudio let out a low chuckle. “Alright, Linda.”
He reached out and clasped her hand, their grip firm and unyielding.
Their gazes were razor–sharp, both of them brimming with deadly intent.
“Anyone who stands in our way, they’re dead meat,” Claudio said, his voice cold and resolute.
Linda smiled, her voice chilling. “Exactly.”
It felt like a pact, an unspoken promise, all for the same goal.
In that moment, they became allies once more.
This time, Linda would never turn her back on her ally, because their one and only goal was to defend the First Unity Coven.
Linda’s voice was icy. “Let’s talk about what happened to the First Unity Coven. Who was the first to fall?”
Claudio frowned, trying to remember. “My memory…”
“1
Feeling Linda’s intense stare, Claudio looked away, his voice low. “My friend’s memories are all messed up. All I know is, Laura was the first one to fall at the First Unity Coven.
“After she died, Lucien snapped and wiped out the whole city.”
23:11 Tue, Feb 3
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
