The Spare's Second Chance in Apocalypse-Chapter 225: Ch : Caught- Part 2

The cold bite of the weapon against his throat threw Noah back into reality.

He knew that he should not move if he wanted to preserve his life, but curiosity made him move and throw that knife away...or at least try to.

’Darn it! What do I do now? Should I attack right now? If I do not make it out of here, then Nora might kill me...ugh, what a headache this is turning out to be.’

Noah felt frustrated over his situation. He wanted to take this opportunity to run, but he felt like he wouldn’t be able to.

His attacker seemed to know what to do and allowed Ethan just enough spare time to turn around before he was caught once more.

But this time, Ethan was able to notice more details about his attacker that he had not before and it helped him know that he could likely trust his attacker.

Black hair. Piercing eyes. A familiar face.

"Selene?"

His voice barely rose above a whisper.

His body remained tense, his mind whirling with questions.

"Are you... going to harm me?"

Selene’s expression was calm, her dark eyes locked onto his. Her blade was still pressed lightly against his neck, but there was no killing intent in her gaze.

"I have no intention of harming you. But I can’t let you harm the person I’m protecting either. I’m here more because you are being a pain in my ass right now."

She said softly.

Noah felt a wave of relief wash over him, his tense muscles loosening slightly.

She’s not here to kill me.

But the relief was short-lived.

’What now?’

Noah’s heart clenched. He didn’t want to hurt anyone. Not Selene. Not the people she was protecting. But...

Father’s orders.

"I don’t have a choice. These were father’s orders. It might seem like I am making an excuse right now, but-"

Noah murmured, his voice barely audible. His eyes fell to the floor, his jaw tightening.

"I know. That is why I am not angry at you."

Selene’s expression softened.

"However, there’s always a choice, Noah."

She said gently.

Noah’s fists clenched at his sides, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

"Not for us."

He muttered, his voice thick with regret.

Selene studied him for a moment, then her grip on the blade eased.

"I’ll let you go, but only if you promise to behave."

She said softly, stepping back and lowering her knife.

Noah’s eyes widened, his head snapping up to meet hers.

She’s... letting me go?

"You’re just going to... trust me?"

His voice was filled with disbelief.

Selene nodded.

"You’ve never deceived me before, Noah. You’re my brother. I can trust your words."

Her gaze was steady, unwavering.

A warmth spread through Noah’s chest.

Family.

For a moment, he let himself feel that warmth. The feeling of being trusted, of being believed in.

But the warmth was quickly swallowed by guilt.

’I don’t deserve this trust.’

"What happens now? I’ve failed. If I go back..."

Noah asked softly, his voice laced with uncertainty.

His words trailed off, but Selene understood.

Their father would never forgive failure.

Selene’s face hardened, her expression serious.

"You’re not going back."

Noah’s eyes snapped to hers.

"What?"

"I can’t let you or Nora go back,"

Selene said firmly.

"Father will...I won’t let that happen."

She trailed off, her jaw tightening.

Noah swallowed, dread creeping into his heart.

"But if we stay here..."

"You’ll stay with me. At least until I figure out a way to free you both from this cursed family."

Selene’s tone was resolute.

Noah’s heart skipped a beat.

"Free us?"

His voice was barely above a whisper.

Selene nodded, her gaze unwavering.

"I’m not going to let Father use you the way he has until now. You deserve better, Noah."

She said, her voice laced with quiet determination.

Noah’s throat tightened.

Freedom.

It was a concept he had never dared to dream of.

"You really think that’s possible?"

He asked softly, doubt clouding his voice.

A cold, forced laugh echoed from behind them.

"Possible? There is no possibility here, just certainly. There is no way you will ever go back to our father."

Selene promised and her eyes shined with certainty. It was clear that she had made up her mind.

______

Madam Varta tapped her long, painted nails rhythmically against the glass table, her eyes narrowed in irritation.

The dim light of her office cast long shadows over the crystal ball sitting in front of her, reflecting the anxious tension in the air.

"Still nothing?"

Isabelle Thorne asked, her arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. Her tone was laced with skepticism, her sharp blue eyes filled with doubt.

Madam Varta didn’t look up.

"He’ll call."

She murmured, her voice calm but firm.

Isabelle let out a soft scoff, pushing herself off the wall.

"It’s been weeks. Face it, Varta. You’ve been stood up. Solomon Kane isn’t coming through. The future you saw was wrong."

She said, her tone dripping with impatience.

Varta’s jaw tightened, but her expression remained composed.

"The future hasn’t changed yet. The vision was clear. Solomon will call."

She said, her gaze fixed on the crystal ball as if willing it to reveal something.

Isabelle shook her head, her tone turning almost pitying.

"You’re putting too much faith in a man who doesn’t care about anything but himself."

Madam Varta’s lips curled into a faint smile, though irritation flickered in her eyes.

"Patience, Isabelle."

As if on cue, the phone on the table rang, breaking the heavy silence.

Madam Varta’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she shot Isabelle a smug look.

"See? I told you."

She lifted her chin, her expression one of quiet triumph.

Isabelle rolled her eyes but remained silent as Varta picked up the phone, her voice smooth and confident.

"Solomon, I was beginning to think you’d lost your nerve."

But the voice on the other end wasn’t Solomon Kane’s.

"Madam Varta."

a calm, measured voice greeted her.

Her smile faded instantly.

"This is Dr. Aldric. I believe we’ve crossed paths before."

Varta’s fingers tightened around the receiver, her pulse quickening.

"What do you want?"

She asked, her tone guarded.

"I have a proposal for you."

He said smoothly, his words sending an unsettling chill down her spine.

Varta’s eyes narrowed, her senses immediately on high alert.

"Go on."

She murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

And in that moment, she knew—this conversation would change everything.