Shadowed Crown

If the gold bar was a ticket into the Haunts world, then I could use it to command the infant spirits, to take what was needed.Maybe they could even help me fight off the threats that were coming.While I was lost in thought about my plan, the door suddenly burst open and Mom strutted in with her pricey handbag in tow.She was about to set it down on the dusty table but changed her mind.She spoke while reaching for the gold bar, "Jobs are running dry. You should put some ads online. We'll save whatever you make for your dowry."I raised my arm in defense, a scowl etched on my face. "Haven't you heard of the old ways? The gold bar belongs to Deathbringer's Child, the girl who guides souls. If you take it, you'll bring a curse upon yourself."Mom's laugh was cynical. She spun around and slapped me, her nails leaving a stinging trail on my cheek.Her eyes shot like daggers. "If I say you're the soul guide, then that's what you are. If I say you're not, then you're just my daughte

I lifted my gaze to meet hers, and she jumped."What's... What's the matter?" she stammered.Without a word, I moved to my brother's side, bit my finger, and let a single drop of blood touch his forehead.With my back to Mom, I whispered, "Don't worry about it. You haven't said my name in years. Hearing it just once makes it worth saving him for a day.""A day? He's your brother. How can you stand by and watch him suffer in pain?"Mom's tears kept flowing.However, I could not forget how in my previous life, she shoved me out the door and left my heart to pound with fear."If you want me to save him, we should do this officially. Get a lawyer to make it official. I'll trade the old house for your forest."……She paused, taken aback. "A lawyer? You think we're after your money?"I cocked my head, "Or are you planning to give it to me for free?"Her face twisted with irritation. "Just heal him now. The lawyer can come by tomorrow."I sat down, each word deliberate as my gaze

So, in a fury, she set my forest ablaze on her way to the hospital.My hand shot out, fingers wrapping around her throat. "You've ruined my possessions, now I'll destroy what you cherish..."……For all those years, it was the first time she had seen the fury in my eyes.Her eyes were a frosty shield, but beneath the surface, a flicker of panic betrayed her. Yet she managed to keep her voice steady, "What's the plan? Going to call the cops on me? Got any proof?""Proof? Throwing you in jail would be too kind."Back in my previous life, the safest hideouts were underground or in sealed-off spaces.In the still of the night, I left her tied up at the morgue's entrance.Her screams tore through the silence, but they were ignored, just like the bodies that lay there.I bit into my finger, letting drops of blood fall to the floor."Rise..."However, the expected surge of spirits did not erupt with force.It just wafted gently into the air, swirling around me."What's happening?"

I could not help but smirk. "Too scared to head home because you think I'll blow you sky-high? Figures. Your fancy sports car can't even handle you. The moment you fall down, the poor thing's gonna kiss the pavement."Laughter erupted from my friends.James, on the other hand, was frantic, lunging to grab my hair.He was so mad he looked like he wanted to smack me, but I was quicker, a swift kick landed right on his pudgy stomach.James yelped, clutching at my arm, babbling, "Since when can't I handle you? You're just a little troublemaker! You've been freaking me out with your spooky antics every single day."The moment had arrived, my friends were already wielding their wands.With one solid kick, I sent him tumbling down the slope.James's bodyguard tried to step in, but just then, the sky turned ominous, and a lightning bolt crashed down."Boom!" It struck right beside James, next to a tree.Smoke billowed up, and it was hard to tell if it was the tree or James's own fat s

Out of nowhere, a bone arrow sliced through the air and struck his chest with a sharp hiss.The arrow, upon contact with Jim's blood, glowed a sinister red.His face contorted in pain, and suddenly, his grip failed him as he plummeted from the sky.I dashed forward, my heart racing, and leaped to cover Jim with my body.The Haunts erupted into mocking laughter."Jim, we've taken apart the bones of the mortal who wanted you dead and crafted them into these arrows. Take one more step and we'll pin you down in front of your own troops!"Jim's eyes blazed with fury, his whole body shook with anger.I held his hand and, with all my might, broke off the bone arrow embedded in him.I bled till it drained all my energy.I gave my blood to the weakened Jim.His face turned a deep shade of red as he looked at my blood-stained lips and slowly extended his hand."He's nothing but bones now, he can't touch me. However, you, you're the one I need to protect!"……Jim yanked the bone arro