Thought It Was 'The End', Only to Return to a Changed Genre - Chapter 179
Could this all be a dream Iâm having because Iâm already dead?
Adeline blinked, dazed, taking a few seconds to comprehend the situation.
The blade that would have taken her life if heâd been even a moment later had fallen to the wooden floorboards, and the heavy body had collapsed at her feet.
Adeline caught her breath, watching the blood from the manâs body seep between the planks. If Shane hadnât arrived just in time, it wouldnât be that man lying thereâit would have been her.
Just like in so many of her nightmares.
The man was still breathing, and although it wasnât her place to say it, she hoped that he wouldnât die, even though heâd almost killed her under the sorcererâs control.
Adeline managed to clear her throat and speak.
She hoped to sound calm, but her voice came out thick with emotion.
âIs it really⌠you, Shane?â
âWho else would it be?â
His level tone still sounded angry.
Normally, she would have hugged him right away.
But Shane kept his distance, not even reaching out to her.
But he came. Adeline fought back the tears threatening to spill. She was simply relieved not to have died without seeing him again. That alone was enough.
The fact that he was hereânothing else mattered.
Genevieve had assured her that Shane would come, but she hadnât known that theyâd fought.
Adeline had believed heâd finally reached his limit with her.
âShane, ah!â
As she tried to rush to him, someone grabbed her arm. At the same time, a cold blade pressed against her neck.
It was Harrisonâs sword.
âDonât move, sir.â
Formal words werenât going to make a difference now. Adeline glanced back, catching a partial view of Harrisonâs tense face.
âIf you try anything, Iâll cut this woman.â
Like he wouldnât cut me regardlessâŚ
âI know very well I canât match you, Your Grace,â Harrison said, voice tight. âI donât have the skill to face you head-on.â
It was only a matter of seconds.
After taking down the man whoâd tried to kill Adeline, Shane had spotted Harrison and immediately moved to strike him down.
Harrison had only managed to seize Adeline as a shield because heâd been standing close to her. If heâd been any slower, Shaneâs sword would have pierced his throat.
This was why Shane hadnât reached out to her.
âBut I can kill her before you kill me.â
âDonât be presumptuous, Harrison.â
âDonât move! Right nowââ
Harrisonâs breath was rough, practically in her ear. His grip on her arms was tight, revealing his tension.
God, his breathing is disgusting. Filthy cheat.
Adeline tried to turn her head, but even the slightest movement made the blade press into her skin. Harrison suddenly shouted.
âLet Kaitlyn go right now!â
âSo that womanâs name is Kaitlyn?â
Shane smiled coldly.
âI thought she was dead. Who wouldâve thought she was a fake? Quite a cute little trick.â
âDamn it, tell him to back off!â
Harrisonâs arm trembled with agitation, causing the blade to repeatedly press and lift against her neck. Compared to the beating sheâd just endured, the pain was minor, but the sense that a wrong move could kill her tightened in her throat.
Then Harrison shifted his stance, practically lifting Adeline off her feet. From this position, she could finally see over Shaneâs shoulder.
The first person she saw was Genevieve.
Genevieve was sitting on the ground, with Edwin holding her by the shoulders.
Both looked tense as they watched her.
A little farther off, Kaitlyn was also on her knees, with a blade pressed to her throat, just like Adeline. The weapon was a dark, painted dagger.
When she saw the face of the person holding the dagger, Adeline leaned forward unconsciously.
The blade bit into her neck, but she couldnât hold back.
Adelineâs voice broke as she cried out,
âLloyd!â
