In the life-betting game with the witch elders, I became enchanted by the witch bracelet that could save Adam Read’s life. To my surprise, his childhood sweetheart, Janelle Burt, demanded the bracelet for herself, even offering to wager her long black hair in exchange.
Adam, however, refused. “I’ve never seen this bracelet before. Since Janelle likes it so much, why not just give it to her?”
With a cold expression, I staked the life of the witch saint and managed to win the bracelet back. Janelle lost her long hair in the process.
That day marked the beginning of a month-long cold war between Janelle and Adam. He showed no emotion toward me, but he never stopped sending me gifts and flowers daily. After a month, I found myself aboard a yacht, forced into a punishment game of his design. The stakes were the ashes of hundreds of Dark Magic Guilds.
Adam stood in front of Janelle, glaring at me with contempt. “Since you love playing games so much, today I’ll let you play to your heart’s content. For every question you get wrong, I’ll consume the ashes of twenty of your clansmen. As the Dark Magic Guild’s Saint, it should be easy for you to win.”
——
He had invited all the city’s wealthy heirs to watch the game. The crowd buzzed with excitement.
“Isn’t Caitlin Nolan the Saint of the Dark Magic Guild? Did Adam really destroy the entire clan? What’s the story there?”
“Who else could it be about? It’s for Janelle. Haven’t you noticed her hat? I heard Caitlin is the reason she lost all her hair. Witchcraft did that, and it won’t grow back. Adam is getting back at his beloved.”
“Why didn’t anyone stop her? The Dark Magic Guild has always kept to itself, and now that they’re gone, no one will stand up for her. She deserves it!”
The spectators eagerly anticipated the spectacle. A cold shiver ran through me, and I felt as though I were plummeting into an ice cave. My nails dug into my palm as I glanced at the man I had loved for five long years.
Adam didn’t even spare me a glance as he sat with Janelle. “It’s said that the ashes of the Dark Magic Guild have miraculous powers. Consuming them grants eternal youth. So, don’t be shy. Everyone here today will have their share.”
His gaze swept the room. “How much you get depends on your ability.”
My body trembled, and then he dealt me the final blow.
“To make things fair, everyone will contribute questions for today’s game, but all questions must be about Janelle.”
Finally, he turned his eyes toward me. “Of course, you can join in. As the Saint of the Dark Magic Guild, surely you can easily guess Janelle’s likes and dislikes. Let’s see how you do.”
My eyes burned with tears I couldn’t release, and I was left speechless.
Adam smiled cruelly. “What’s wrong? You love playing games, don’t you? Well, today’s game is for you. Don’t you like it?”
“Let’s get started. Don’t keep everyone waiting.”
Thunderous applause erupted from the crowd.
“Adam is truly impressive—he knows how to make a game exciting!”
“I heard one person’s ashes from the Dark Magic Guild can keep you young forever. If that’s true, imagine what would happen after consuming twenty people’s worth!”
“But Miss Burt left for abroad five years ago, and Caitlin wasn’t with her then. How could she possibly know these things? Does Adam plan to take revenge?”
“Stop worrying about it. It’s not your business. Don’t pity the Dark Magic Guild’s Saint too much. Be careful, though, she might try to cheat with witchcraft!”
The crowd busied themselves, scribbling down their questions on paper. My vision blurred, and I trembled as I stared at Adam.
“Why? Why did you kill my people?”
“You know I—”
Before I could finish, Adam interrupted coldly, “Caitlin, you no longer have the right to bargain with me. You have no choice but to play the game.”
