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My face pale when i learned the black dot mark as tracker , they knew i'm still alive because of minseok red strings " what are we gonna do now? How can we remove this mark?"
Minseok jaw tightened at My question ,his dark eyes scanning the black mark on my chest with a new found urgency ..the red strings connecting from us seemedto glow brighteras if mirroring his growing frustration
" Removing it isn't an option"he said sharply " that mark is tied to the curse itself . breaking it would likely kill both if us " he ran a hand through his hair again , a rare sign of his agitation " My Vision have shown me ways to hide the brand's energy signature , but it's temporary at best. We need to find someone with stronger magic than those school witches "
Minseok stop facing and turn to faced me , the red strings between us pulling taut . " There's an underground network of magical practitioners who deal with these kinds of problems .They're dangerous ,but they're our only hopes for now...
When i'm about to speak again , suddenly i feel pain in my chest again , another black ashes appeared..the the red strings fighting the black ashes , and striking minseok too, i collapse on the floor cluctching my my chest gasping from the sharp pain .. " AAHH,, Minseok"
The Red Strings connecting from both of us flared violently . Kang Minseok Stumbled backwards as if struck himself, his face contorting with agonized sympathy . the black ashes swirling around me form mirrored the dark magic attacking both our life forces simultaneously. " Hold on " Minseok said sharply , i tried to look up at him , he rushing to kneelo beside where curled down, his hand hovered uselessly over the black tendrrils coiling around my chest .. i'm crying from the pain..
" Don't fight it - they'll rip you apart! " minseok said trying to regain his strenght
the red strings lashed back and forth between me and minseok like a living whips as he struggled to draw the witch's curse away from me vulnerable soul. sweat and beaded on his forehead from the effort of channeling our combined energies against the attack
" Breathe throught it " minseok instructed urgently through gritted teeth " focus on my voice - let me handle this part "
" I..i can't breathe " i cried out because of painarching my body,clutching my chest gasping some air . then a shadow of a tall man appeared from nowhere he's tall dark and handome..
The shadow materialized between me and minseok , his form shifting from mist to solid black . He stood tall and imposing , his feature sharp and undearable beneath a dark hood that absurb his face . The red strings connecting with me and minseok snapped violently at this new entity made his presence known.
" what is this?" Minseok Growled through gritted teeth ,his hands glowing with dark energy as he fought to maintain his control over both curses ..
the black ashes crawling across my chest seemed to retreat slightly under his power ..
The shadow man's head tilted , his unseen gazed fix on my convulsing form " You've been Careless , " his voice echoed from the darkness , smooth but carrying an edge of threat
" The Binding Spell , drew my attention . Now i see why she's important "
Minseok positioned himself from me protectively .His Body Shielding me from the new threat
" Who are you ? another Witch's pet ?" Minseok said sharply
The shadow figure Took a step closer , his boots making no sound on the bedroom carpet .
" I am no one's pet " The man's voice deepened losing its echoing quality for something more direct " My Name is lucian .And I've been watching this particular line of witches for centuries "
His hidden Face shifted slighly towards Minseok " You've Done well to stabilize her , boy . but that mark on her chest its not just a tracker .."
Lucian crouched down gracefully beside me and Minseok , ignoring Minseok's protective stance entirely . The shadow aura Around him seemed to absorb some of the light from the room
" That symbol represents ownership"
Lucian gloved hand hovered just above the black mark on my chest , the shadow aura around him intensifying slightly " The witch who cursed you wasnt just seeking revenge . She claimed you as her personal property "
kang Minseok's fisft clenched at his sides , the red strings connecting from him and me flaring angrily .
" Get your hands off her , She belongs to nobody "
lucian chuckled softly , a sound like dry leaves skittering across pavement " Such passionate loyalty from one so young . Impressive , your little binding spell has complicated matters " Lucian continued casually , as if discussing weather rather than life - threatening curses
I chuckled a little despite from my pain " How Quaint , they want to claim me as their personal property but they also wants to kill me .... Stupidity "
Lucian's Shadowy form seemed to relax slightly at my sarcastic remark, a low laugh escaping jim
" Quaint indeed. Witches rarely think beyond their immediate vengeance . Kill you for revenge , claim you for leverage typical shortsihtedness " He rose smoothly to his full height , the themperature in the room returning to normal as his presence stabilized . The black ashes on my chest receded entirely under his watchful gaze " Your pain has subsided for now " Lucian observed calmly , adjusting the cuffs of his darks gloves . " The Curse retreated it sensed a higher authority arrived "
Kang Minseok remained Positioned defesinvely over me , though the red strings connecting from him and me had settled inton less aggressively rhythm , " What do you want? '" he demanded sharply
" What i want is relevant right now" Lucian replied , his voice losing its casual tone " The real queistion is what do you want? You're clearly capable of protecting her from lesser curses, but this ownerships claimed complicate things ." lucian paused by the window , looking out at the setting sun " I can offer temporary proctection - a magical barrier that will hide both your life signatures from her detections , But it requires payment "
The red strings connecting from me and minseok tightened as he processed this new propsal , " what kind of payment ? " Minseok ask suspiciously , helping me to sit up against the bed frame while keeping one hand ready to channel energy if needed.