Reborn, Its Time To Save My Family And.. My Enemy!
Chapter 225: You Are Safe!

Chapter 225: You Are Safe!

"You’re certain?" he asked, lowering his voice as he dismounted. Olivia stepped closer, grabbing his arm and pulling him away from the girl toward a shadowed corner between two buildings.

"Yes, when you left, I saw a ritual in the book. It needs the sacrifice of twelve innocent girls and the blood of a dormant witch to perform a ritual where they could wake up another blood witch. I think.. Oriana is that dormant witch."

Rhistel’s expression darkened. "Oriana did not have the ability in her blood. If it were forced, she would not be able to survive it." Olivia;’s eyes widened with fear.

Earlier, she was worried but she knew even if Oriana got power, she would not harm others. Recently, she had been changed for the good. But if that was the case,

"I am sure they know how to control her powers. Rhistel, I am afraid." Rhistel turned slightly, glancing back at where the girl still lingered near the pyre. "That girl... she knew something. She followed me too easily."

"I know. But we can’t waste time questioning her now. We have to find Oriana."

"Do you know where the ritual could take place?" he asked urgently.

Olivia shook her head. "Only that the place would have to be open to the sky, no moon to disrupt the channeling. And there should be an altar formed—either manmade or natural. A stone clearing, perhaps. Is there anything like that on Clondiorre’s land?"

Rhistel frowned deeply, thinking hard. "There’s an old ruined temple in the eastern woods of his estate. But there could be many man made in his own manor too. We can never be sure."

"We don’t have time."

Rhistel nodded, determination hardening his face. He turned back to the others.

"We’re splitting up," he announced curtly. "Damon, take Olivia. Head north through the forest ridge and circle Clondiorre’s territory. If they’re moving Oriana, that path might intercept them. I’ll take the girl and ride straight to the Hollow Altar. If Clondiorre’s planning something, that’s where he’ll be."

Damon stepped forward. "What if we are stopped? His land is guarded."

Rhistel removed a heavy ring from his finger. It contained his insignia, forged with the seal of his house and pressed it into Olivia’s palm.

"This will get you through any noble territory. Flash it and say you are acting under direct order from me."

Olivia closed her fingers over it, nodding. "We’ll find her."

Rhistel gave one final look toward the distant shadows Clondiorre had vanished into, his voice low.

"Don’t trust anyone on the way. And if you see Clondiorre, don’t confront him. We are not ready for it yet. Just get Oriana and return. For now, our safety is more important."

With that, he mounted again and turned to the girl, who had quietly stepped behind him.

"You said you know the woods," his eyes narrowed at her face. "You are coming with me and show me what you have seen in the woods. If you’re lying, I will know and it will not end well for you."

The girl gulped and nodded quickly, scrambling to climb onto the back of his horse.

Olivia rode beside Damon, the insignia ring clenched tightly in her hand. They hadn’t spoken in several minutes, each lost in their thoughts. The path was narrow and overgrown, forcing their horses to slow, hooves muffled by moss and fallen leaves.

"Are you sure this is the right way?" Damon could hear the bitterness in her voice.

"Yes, it is a shortcut. We would reach their territory before they could and if we sped up, we might stop them before they could enter the mountains."

A soft rustle made Olivia tense. She raised a hand, and both horses stopped. From the brush, a hunched figure emerged. He was startled to see Olivia and Damon there. Damon nudged his horse forward.

"Have you seen a woman with red hair and green eyes?" he looked back at Olivia. "She looked like her but had an oval face and was a bit taller. She must be with a group of men and tied up or hidden in a large carriage." the man looked at Olivia with curiosity, but quickly bowed and shook his head.

"N-No, m’lord. No such group passed here. Only me, just gathering wood for the night. But if they are forcing someone, they would take the right route since it is mostly crowded and it is easy to hide someone there. Even a squirrel gets noticed in this narrow path." When Damno nodded, the man bowed again and left.

They started riding again. It was a narrow and empty path as the man had suggested. Except the rustle of winds, there was no sound or voice. Olivia finally turned her head, voice low but sharp.

"Where were you?"

Damon didn’t respond immediately. His eyes stayed ahead, focused on the path.

"I have a cost to pay to bring you here. I went on a mission to pay for that."

She frowned. "You disappeared without a word. If it was planned, you could have told me."

"I thought you would never agree. Not only were you afraid to come here but you did not trust Rhistel. I thought it would be better for you to build up a relationship with your sister and your new mentor." Oliva felt her hands tightening around the reins.

"And you didn’t think to tell me?" Her voice trembled slightly, more from fear than anger. "You didn’t think maybe I would need you?"

"You are safe in the manor. Thistle is the lord of the land. And he had promised me to take care of you." Damon explained only for Olivia to grit her teeth with rage.

"Yes, I can see how safe this place is. The man who lost his own future wife would keep me safe." she did not want to sound that bitter but she was furious. What if something happened to Oriana and she could not reach her on time.

"She will be safe! Rhistel would never let anyone harm her."