tkworld Chapter 209: Let Them Go
Chapter 209: Let Them Go
Only she could make Jude Gale let down his guard.
If she didn’t make an appearance, Wyatt Yardley’s situation would only worsen.
If Evan Orwell’s presence was leaked, the entire plan would fall apart.
She took a breath and walked out from beside Evan Orwell.
"You wait outside, don’t show yourself. When I draw all his attention, sneak in and rescue them."
She turned back to glance at Evan Orwell, forcing a smile.
"Don’t worry, I’ll be careful."
Evan Orwell stood there, watching her fragile figure slowly disappear into the darkness of the cave.
Did she really understand how dangerous it was to go in alone?
Did she... particularly care for Wyatt Yardley?
He had long noticed that though Seraphina Caldwell appeared amiable to everyone on the surface,
in reality, she kept her heart’s door closed, letting no one in.
But with Wyatt Yardley, she had truly opened her heart.
She had even mentioned something as proactive as Bonding...
These small gestures were things she had never done before.
Seraphina Caldwell walked into the cave, and a rank stench immediately hit her nose.
She held her breath, covering her mouth and nose with her hand.
But the smell had already reached deep into her throat.
The muddy ground beneath her feet was soft, sinking halfway when stepped on.
Water droplets dripped from above, landing on her shoulder, cold as ice.
She looked down, seeing bloodstains and drag marks scattered across the ground.
The dim firelight was just enough to cast a few distorted shadows that flickered uncertainly on the cave walls.
The shadows grew and shrank, forming grotesque shapes.
Water droplets clung to the stone walls, reflecting the dim light, making the place feel especially eerie.
The wind tunneled in from the cave entrance, causing the embers to dance erratically, disappearing quickly.
That small amount of warmth was far from enough to disperse the chill in this place.
As she glanced around the cave, her entire body suddenly froze.
Her gaze fixated on the person in the middle, and she could no longer move her feet.
A buzzing filled her ears, all sounds became distant and blurred.
She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
She knew they would be injured, but she hadn’t expected them to be this hurt.
Wyatt Yardley still maintained the form of a White Snake, his originally smooth scales peeling off in large patches.
The flesh underneath was turned out, his body smeared with blood, dripping black blood onto the ground.
His body coiled on the ground, his snake head drooping almost to the ground.
The snake’s pupils had lost their usual gleam, turning a dull gray.
The fallen scales were scattered around.
Jude Gale remained in human form, one foot on the seven-inch spot of Wyatt Yardley.
That was the most sensitive and vulnerable spot for snakes.
The snake body twitched instinctively but could no longer muster the strength to resist.
Seeing Wyatt Yardley unresponsive, Jude Gale’s lips curled into a cold smile.
His foot showed no sign of moving, pressing down another half inch, forcing Wyatt Yardley’s body to twist further.
A very faint hissing sound escaped Wyatt Yardley’s throat, disappearing in an instant.
On the other side, Isaac Vaughn was curled up on the ground.
His body curled into a ball, back against the cold rock wall, arms wrapped around his knees.
His light blue fish tail was covered in wounds, the pearl-like scales nearly all fallen off, exposing pale flesh.
Gideon Larkin lay closest to the fire, in lion form, his black mane saturated with blood, clumped into masses.
He was a circle smaller than usual, clearly having overexerted himself, leading to instability in his form.
His foreleg was twisted, blood-stained paws revealing the bone, dark red saliva dripping from his mouth.
Kaelan Hawthorne lay in a corner of the cave, fur covered in dried blood, tail limp on the ground.
The fur that was once sleek and shiny was now matted together by congealed blood.
Both of his front paws were completely ruined, blood dripped down his fingertips.
His right hand still twitched unconsciously, as if trying to hold onto something.
The air was thick with the smell of blood and hopelessness, suffocating those in its grasp.
Jude Gale caught sight of Seraphina Caldwell standing at the cave entrance, raised an eyebrow, and gave a crooked, taunting smile.
"Oh, you’ve finally arrived?"
He didn’t move his gaze, keeping his eyes fixed on Seraphina Caldwell’s face.
None of the others in the cave reacted, seemingly too exhausted even to summon anger.
"I thought these pathetic lives were wasted; at least trading them brought you back."
He stretched out his hand to her, beckoning with a finger, his tone as if issuing an order.
"Seraphina Caldwell, come here."
The surroundings fell into a dead silence, even the wind seemed to have stopped.
Seraphina Caldwell’s feet were rooted to the ground, fingers clutching the edge of her Beast Skin Skirt.
Her voice shook, yet she spoke clearly and distinctly.
"You want me, let them go."
She looked Jude Gale straight in the eyes, fire burning within them.
But she gritted her teeth to suppress it, not letting the emotions explode.
"I’m here, you’ve seen me, now keep your word and release them."
She forced her eyes not to blink, locking her gaze onto his face.
Jude Gale spread his hands, smiling feignedly.
"Fine, I haven’t tied them with ropes."
He glanced at the nearly-lifeless males on the ground.
"If they want to live, they can crawl out themselves."
As his words fell, he stepped back half a step, crossing his arms.
But who still had the strength to move?
The rise and fall of their chests were barely visible.
Let alone walking, staying alive was a blessing.
Gideon Larkin’s hand lay at his side, palm facing up.
Isaac Vaughn’s face was against the ground, lips cracked.
Kaelan Hawthorne curled up, shoulder lightly twitching, every breath a struggle.
Seeing them like this, Seraphina Caldwell’s nose stung sharply, tears welling up in her eyes, but she forced them back.
Her vision blurred for a moment before she forcefully contained it.
No, she mustn’t cry, mustn’t let him see her soft heart.
She closed her eyes briefly, and when she reopened them, her gaze had re-focused.
"Can I see them?"
Jude Gale nonchalantly waved his hand.
"Look if you like."
He turned, walking towards a nearby stone platform, his steps lazy, sitting down with his back to her.
Seraphina Caldwell quickly moved towards Wyatt Yardley, kneeling beside him.
Her knees collided with the rubble, unheeded.
All her attention was on that almost bloodless face.
That man’s foot was still on Wyatt Yardley’s neck.
She glared up, and Jude Gale lifted his foot with a smile, giving way.
The sole leaving the skin made a slight scraping sound, causing Seraphina Caldwell’s heart to skip a beat.
She took a deep breath, gently reaching out to Wyatt Yardley’s nose.
Feeling a faint breath under her fingers, her heart settled slightly into her chest.
Taking advantage of the movement, she secretly squeezed a few drops of Spiritual Spring Water from her fingertips, letting them slide into Wyatt Yardley’s mouth.
The droplets seeped into the lips, silently sliding deep into the throat.
Once ingested, Wyatt Yardley’s erratic breathing slowly became more stable.
Seraphina Caldwell dared not linger, moving from Isaac Vaughn to Gideon Larkin and then to Kaelan Hawthorne.
Each time she checked their breathing, she secretly administered a bit of the Spiritual Spring Water.
This water couldn’t save their lives, but it could sustain them from perishing on the spot.
After tending to everyone, she slowly stood up, turning to face Jude Gale, her face expressionless.
"I’ve checked them; they’re alive, they can leave now."
Jude Gale studied her calm demeanor, raising an eyebrow, walking towards her step by step.
"Do you really intend to form a Contract with me?"
Seraphina Caldwell met his gaze, her voice cold, with a hint of mockery.
"You’ve chased us all the way here, leaving my companions crippled, just to form a Contract with me? Your objective achieved, what’s left to ask."
She paused, her voice gentle.
"Where else can I go?"