Semua Bab Sold to the Devil : Bab 161 - Bab 164

The ritual chamber shook with each blow. Magic cracked through the air like thunder, illuminating the dark stone walls with bursts of chaotic color. Lenora’s robes billowed as she hurled a wall of shadow toward Luka, only for Naia to intercept it with a blast of shimmering blue light.The young conduit’s breath came in sharp gasps. “She’s too strong,” she muttered, sweat lining her brow.“She bleeds like the rest of them,” Mara snarled, lunging at Lenora with her claws bared.Lenora met Mara’s charge with a flick of her wrist, sending her tumbling back with a concussive wave of force. Mara hit the wall hard, dust falling from the ceiling as she groaned and forced herself up again.“Persistent mutts,” Lenora hissed. Her eyes gleamed red. “You don’t even understand what I’m becoming.”She raised her arms again, pulling energy from the fractured soul circle beneath her. The chamber floor glowed as if the very bones of the earth were awakening at her call. Power rushed toward her like an

The halls of the coven felt cold despite the fires that still burned in the sconces. Emilia stood in front of the tall mirror in her private chamber, still wearing the crown they had forced upon her. But it wasn’t heavy. No—she wore it like it was made for her.Behind her, the door creaked open.Dante entered, his expression guarded. He paused as he took her in—bathed in moonlight, unflinching, regal… and distant. The same woman he had followed into the jaws of death, but no longer the Emilia he once knew.Her reflection met his in the mirror. Neither of them spoke.“I wanted to talk to you alone,” Dante said finally.“I figured,” she replied.His voice was low, careful. “That ritual chamber… what you did to Lenora…”“She deserved worse,” Emilia interrupted flatly.Dante didn’t argue. But his eyes softened with something close to grief. “You’ve changed.”She turned, the crown gleaming under the silver light. “I had to.”“Do you regret it?” he asked.“No,” she said, eyes locking with h