The Reaper's Wicked Obsession
Chapter 93: Fall For Me

Chapter 93: Fall For Me

Isadora’s pulse raced at his words, a reminder of her declaration at the lake.

"Now fulfill the wish you owe me." He released her and backed away. "Fall."

She froze at his words.

He chuckled softly. "Can you do that, love? Or show me that fear I love to feed on?"

Her fist clenched. Even now he wanted her fear... he always wanted something. It felt like he wouldn’t be satisfied until he had taken every part of her.

What would be left of her then? Would he grow bored of her?

The thought caused a strange feeling to wash over her. Ignorant of it, she channeled her hate for him.

The only thing that made sense between them.

"Then have your wish. I don’t owe you anything, anymore." She kept her eyes on him and backed away, her boots hanging on the last rock.

Kraven inhaled sharply, drinking in her glare like a drug. A slow, twisted smile curled his lips. "You’ve no idea how beautiful you look right now."

Her heart skipped a beat. She leaned backward—and then, she fell over the cliff.

Her body descended in speed, breezing past the clouds, it was an agonizing few seconds but then, it wasn’t as terrifying as she thought.

Everything slowed down around her, her fall, the wind. A warm light hit her face, she turned her head, her ambers gazing upon the rising sun.

It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

The sun’s color laid waste to everything it reached—awakening life and absorbing them into its glory.

She stretched her hand toward it as if she could reach it, closing her eyes, and absorbing the sun’s energy, a smile on her lips.

Why did she get the feeling that Kraven wanted her to see this?

Suddenly she was swallowed by a cloak of dark weaves.

~♧~

When Isadora opened her eyes, the cheers echoed, a reminder of the path she was about to take. Unlike before she wasn’t so indecisive as she originally was.

There was this new thrill coursing through her blood, not because she had faith that she’d pass, but because she knew she wouldn’t yield until the end and even when death came Kraven would not allow her to be free.

It was strange what that feeling did to her body, at the thought that death was becoming impossible for her.

’Don’t overthink it,’ she thought with a blush, collecting herself and making her way to the arena.

She arrived at the Keep where all the uncrowned warriors were meant to stay, and await their final challenge.

However, when she got there it was already empty.

"Vanya?"

She wasn’t here either.

"You’re too late mannfae."

Isadora gasped and turned to a shirtless Dain covered in various wounds, she wondered how he could stand there with crossed arms and act as if he wasn’t in pain.

She blinked "What do you mean?"

He grinned wider. "We’ve all completed the challenge. You’re the last."

"What?" she said with wide eyes. How long did she spend falling?

"Oh, and your mutefriend..."

She quickly veered her eyes back to him. "What about Vanya?" she demanded.

"What else? She had already been called."

Isadora couldn’t believe she missed such a thing. If only she hadn’t hesitated and came straight to this place she wouldn’t have.

"I-Is she okay?"

He scoffed like she’d said an impossible thing. "Do you know what sigil she had to face? Ah let’s see... she’s a water weaver right?"

Isadora gulped.

He leaned and mouthed. "The demon of the ocean. Oh, and she did not survive it. I saw a skin weaver carrying her bloodied body, she’s dead."

"NO!" Isadora roared as her eyes turned glassy. "You’re lying!"

"Am I?"

She took a step back, her lips quivering. "She’s not dead," she murmured.

"Why would I lie? You know how pleased I am about that, I failed once and will not again. It’s your turn, mannfae."

"Isadora, it is time."

Isadora turned her teary eyes to the two crowned warriors who awaited to lead her to the arena.

"Enough time has been taken."

"I-I need to see my friend first, please!" She needed to see Vanya with her own eyes, there was no way she could be dead.

Vanya had a dream, to be recognized by the Ravenites, to have a home. She would not believe that it was all gone.

"Careful mannfae, they don’t say no to them," Dain whispered to her ear.

Tears slid down Isadora’s cheek. She sniffled, wiping them away.

"Your challenge awaits you."

Isadora offered pleading eyes to the warriors, but they were unfazed, stagnant to their objective. Hanging her head low, she stepped forward.

"Daudi will be pleased to have your soul, just like your friend. I’m sure her prayers were said to Lifara."

Isadora halted her steps, taking a deep breath, she turned and marched toward him.

Dain laughed, wondering what the girl was about to do. But Isadora punched him square in the face, catching him off guard.

Blood dripped from his nose as he held it, he stared at her with wide eyes still taken by shook. But the rage burned through him as he attempted to attack but the crowned warriors stopped.

"I’ll get you for this bitch!" he seethed. "You better hope you die so I don’t do it myself!" He struggled against their hold. "Because I’ll make it hurt!"

In silence, she turned on her heels and walked away.

Cries and sobs racked through her, her heart breaking. Ignorant to the lights that hit her face, the crowd cheers erupted upon her arrival.

"I’m sorry, Vanya." She used the back of her hand to wipe her tears. "I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for you." She sobbed. "I’m sorry."

"Welcome, Isadora!" Logi announced from the grandstand.

She lifted her teary gaze to him.

"You kept us waiting... but that is more gratifying because the Ravenites await to see if the mannfae will survive," Logi said and the cheers grew chaotic.

"As you can see they are all pumped up, are you ready, Isadora?"