NOVEL NEXT Chapter 57: strange coincidence
[Jevan perspective]
Inside my head I tried to count how many unexpected situations I'd been through in the past few days but I stopped quickly. I literally lost track. And now I'm in another unexpected situation, except this time it's ridiculously over the top.
Merelda stared at me for a moment before she moved the dagger away from my neck and stepped back. I raised my hand and felt where the blade had touched my throat, then said:
"You're still alive?"
She answered as she slid the dagger back into its sheath:
"I have the same question for you. Since you're alive… is Iris still?"
Her voice trembled a little; I could feel the emotion behind it, a mix of pleading and fear. For a second I wanted to lie and say yes, but I restrained myself. I looked at the ground, then raised my eyes to her and said:
"No."
Her face didn't change, but inwardly I felt the deep disappointment pour out of her. Damn this annoying power couldn't it at least give me some useful abilities instead of this useless one?
"How are you still alive then?"
She glared at me sharply.
"Why? Did you want me dead?"
I gave her a small smile and said:
"Well, to be honest… yes."
"Hey, I was joking."
I motioned with my hand:
"You did ask me to be honest."
She laughed before saying:
"You don't seem to have changed much."
I shrugged.
"I don't think a week is enough to change someone."
She replied with a tired voice:
"I disagree. Sometimes a week is more than enough."
I waved a hand:
"Fine, whatever. How did you survive, then? I heard the Claw wiped everyone out. Is anyone besides you still alive?"
She pulled her hood forward to hide her face more and answered:
"Garrod summoned us the high ranking members to an urgent meeting. When we all gathered, he told us to search for Raven and Iris because they'd gone to face the leader of the Guardians gang. During the meeting, the Claw ambushed us; their leader came in person. We couldn't hold against their numbers. Everyone died… Garrod was killed by their leader right in front of us. We couldn't resist… everyone died."
"So how did you survive?"
She shook her head.
"I don't even know… I woke up in a pile of bodies outside the tavern. I ran until I couldn't run anymore. What about you? They hunted down every member, even the low ranks… how are you alive?"
I gave a half smirk:
"I'm good at running away."
"You serious?"
"Yeah. Do you think I had any other chance?"
She seemed unconvinced but shrugged and said mockingly:
"You're lucky."
I struck a dramatic pose and said:
"Who am I? I had to hide in the sewers for days while being hunted by people I don't even know. All I wanted was a decently paid job and long vacations, and here I am!"
She offered me a small smile that faded when she asked softly:
"Do you know what happened to Iris and Raven?"
The cheer vanished from my face and a heavy, complex expression settled in. I looked at the ground for a moment, then raised my head and said:
"They're… dead. I visited their graves myself."
On the surface she showed little surprise, but I felt another wave of deep sorrow emanate from her.
Noticing the gloomy look on Merelda's face, I broke the silence quickly:
"Want to buy a meal? To celebrate this weird reunion."
She waved me off half heartedly as she turned:
"No… I have things to take care of."
I turned back:
"Farewell."
I left the alley, trying to shake off the bad feeling that had crept over me like someone was watching.
***
[Merelda perspective]
As soon as Gevan left the alley I took a deep breath and pressed my palm to my chest. I hadn't expected him to still be alive or to make it here after everything, but well at least one of us was still living something close to a normal life.
I walked out of the alley and, after about fifteen minutes, reached the house I currently rent. I opened the door and went inside. I stood in front of the stone wall and cut the palm of my hand with a small dagger, then began drawing a pattern of interlocking circles on the wall with my blood.
Within seconds a vaguely humanoid figure appeared. Its features were indistinct, but it wore a black suit and a red tie.
When it materialized it asked:
"Did you bring the items I requested?"
I took two vials from my leather satchel one filled with human blood and the other with animal blood and handed them over.
The figure looked at them, then raised its head to me.
"You didn't bring the human sacrifice I asked for. Why?"
I answered calmly:
"I couldn't find a suitable sacrifice."
A hint of displeasure crossed its voice as it asked:
"And what about that man? Why did you hesitate to kill him?"
"I won't sacrifice that man."
"Didn't you say you were willing to do anything to gain power?"
"I changed my mind. There are limits to what I can do. I will not offer a human sacrifice."
It gave a short, cold, sarcastic chuckle:
"You're nothing like Garrod. He would have sacrificed his own body and the person who raised him to achieve his goals."
I put the two vials back into my bag and said:
"I'm not Garrod, and I don't think he was happy making a deal with you in the first place."
I pulled my coat on to leave, and the figure spoke again with a trace of annoyance:
"If you want the power for revenge, you must pay its price."
I said nothing. I left and closed the door behind me without another word.
End of Chapter 57: strange coincidence
End of Chapter 57: strange coincidence
End of Chapter 57: strange coincidence
End of Chapter 57: strange coincidence