Chapter 131 - 130 Reckoning
Lucian didn’t answer her question immediately. He only gave a faint smile, one that didn’t reach his eyes, and guided her further along the narrow path. The night was quiet, save for the soft crunch of leaves under their boots and the whispering wind threading through the trees. Olivia noticed the air had gotten colder. Denser.
Something about this place felt hidden, and forgotten.
"I’m starting to think this surprise is a trap," she said quietly, half-joking, half-serious.
Lucian didn’t respond. His hand gave hers a gentle squeeze instead, as if to say—trust me.
They walked until the trees began to thin out, revealing an open field partially surrounded by jagged rocks. At the center of it, dim torchlight flickered.
Olivia slowed her pace. There, tied to a thick wooden post, was Gauss. Her breath caught in her throat. She felt bolts of anger rushing through her veins, her eyes turned red with fury.
His face was bloodied, hair matted with sweat and dirt. His hands were bound behind him, his clothes torn and barely clinging to his frame. He looked nothing like the confident man who once ruled the underground with arrogance. He was barely recognizable.
Dimitri stood off to the side, his silver blade drawn but resting against his shoulder. He turned when he saw them, giving Lucian a small nod before returning his focus to Gauss.
Olivia’s steps faltered, she stood froze, her heart pounding in her ears. All she could think about was how Luke died in her arms, how helpless she felt... and he was the source of everything.
"This surprise... I love it," she muttered with a devilish smirk, her hands burning with flames.
Lucian stopped beside her, his expression unreadable. "You wanted justice," he said. "This is where it starts." His cold eyes flickered to Gauss pitiful state.