Chapter 450: So Much Worse
The entire conversation between Chang Xuefeng and Réne’s soul had been silent. No one outside of the two of them was even aware that anything was going on. Instead, it just looked like Chang Xuefeng was staring off into space.
However, the moment that the soul was reaped, the results were obvious to all. The now empty body slumped even more against Alicia before tipping to the side. The stench from his bowels and bladder relaxing was more than what Alicia could take...
Especially because it was seeping into her knees and legs from where they were pressed against Réne’s lower half.
It took everyone a moment before they realized what was going on, and as soon as it clicked, Alicia stood up, screaming. "I said that you couldn’t take him!" she screeched, pointing her finger at Chang Xuefeng. "You didn’t have permission to take him!"
"I wasn’t aware that I needed permission to do what I was created to do," sneered Chang Xuefeng, stepping away from the puddle growing around the dead body. Of course, he was lying through his teeth. If Hattie told him not to take the soul, nothing in this realm or the next could get him to go against her words.
If Hattie said east, he would never go west. It was simply not done.
"I loved him," Alicia continued, her eyes glassing over. She wasn’t even looking at the dead body of the man that she professed to love. "I saved him! This wasn’t how it was supposed to end! We were meant to live happily ever after. We were meant to bring about a new world. One where we were safe and happy."
"You have a funny way of showing your love," sneered Bishop, looking Alicia up and down. "How many men have you fucked behind his back? How often did you ignore what he said, or even ignored him? I think you loved the idea of him more than the actual person. Maybe you can ask him in your next life."
"Shut up!" Alicia shrieked, lifting her tear-streaked face. "You don’t know what it’s like to be powerless! To watch everything slip through your fingers while someone else takes your place!"
Pride cocked his head. "You mean like you did to everyone who ever stepped foot in your so-called Sanctuary? How many people did you kill? How many people did you force to do your will, either using your spirit powers or not? Hell, not even Sophia was spared when you kicked Bishop out of the fold. Just think of how different life would be if he was still on your side."
Sophia flinched even as she looked down at the floor. The man wasn’t wrong. Alicia was like a bulldozer, and most of the time, it was easier to go with her than against her. However, she wasn’t faultless either. It was entirely too tempting to give over all the power to Alicia and let her make the decisions.