Chapter 147: Worst-Case Scenario

Ezra gripped the steering wheel, his eyes focused on the road ahead. The city lights blurred past them as he drove through the streets. Olivia sat beside him, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the dashboard, her mind clearly deep in thought.

"So, what ways can we use to break this blood debt?" Ezra asked, his voice tense. "It's binding me to X, and I can't afford to be manipulated like this."

Olivia nodded, her expression serious. "Blood debts are as old as the progenitor, Ezra. They're not easily broken. We need to consider all our options."

Ezra drove in silence for a few moments, both of them lost in their thoughts. Olivia finally spoke up, her voice calm.

"One possibility is to find a sixth ring vampire. Someone who can counteract the debt." She suggested. "They have the ability to weaken and shatter blood debts using their Dominion ability. But such people are both rare and powerful."

Ezra glanced at Olivia, his brow furrowed. "And even if we find someone like that, there's no guarantee they can help us. And their help would come at a high price we possibly can't afford to pay."

Olivia sighed, her frustration evident. "Another option is to confront X directly and find a way to nullify the debt through him. But considering his current state, that's a dangerous gamble. He might not be rational, and it could make things worse."

Ezra tightened his grip on the wheel, the tension in his muscles mirroring his inner agitation. He didn't want to say it but he had to. "What about fulfilling the debt? If I save him from Griffin, as he demanded, that will satisfy the terms and free me from his control."

Olivia shook her head slowly. "That's assuming we know exactly what he meant by save me. Griffin might also be binding him through a blood debt. How would we save him from that?"

"Fuck." Ezra sweared.

"Even if you save him from whatever this is, we can't guarantee that he lets you go afterward. X might just use the opportunity to bind you further. We can't trust him to not have an ulterior motive." experience-MVLeMpYr

The car turned a corner, the headlights illuminating the path ahead. Ezra's mind raced through their options, each one seeming more precarious than the last. The weight of the blood debt pressed heavily on him, a constant reminder of his vulnerability.

"We need to consider the worst-case scenario." Olivia said softly. "Breaking a blood debt isn't just difficult. It can be deadly. The debt is tied to your soul. Severing it improperly could kill you."

Ezra's jaw tightened, the reality of the situation sinking in. "So, we're stuck. Either we find a way to fulfill the debt on our terms, or we risk my life trying to break it."

Olivia reached over and placed her hand on his arm, her touch grounding him. "We'll find a way, Ezra. We always do. But we need to be smart about this. Rushing in could cost us everything."

Ezra nodded, his eyes hardening. "Then we take this one step at a time. We meet the Arbiter's sent ally, gather information, and plan carefully. We won't let X or anyone else control our fate."

Silence filled the car once more, each lost in thought. As always, they would face this challenge together, and they would find a way to break the chains binding them.

No matter the cost, they would fight for their freedom and for each other. That was what it meant to be in the Matten coven.

Ezra pulled up to the restaurant, its frontage glowing warmly against the backdrop of the bustling city. They exited the car, Ezra pausing for a moment to scan the surroundings, his senses on high alert. Olivia placed a reassuring hand on his arm, and they walked inside together.

The maître d' greeted them with a courteous nod. "Good evening sir, ma'am. Do you have a reservation?"

Ezra stepped forward. "Yes, under the name Hawke. We requested a private room."

"Of course, Mr. Hawke. Right this way," the maître d' responded, leading them through the dimly lit, elegant restaurant. The scent of gourmet dishes wafted through the air, mingling with the soft murmur of conversations and the clinking of glasses.

They were led to a secluded room at the back, the door adorned with a discreet sign indicating its reserved status. The maître d' opened the door and gestured for them to enter. "Your server will be with you shortly."

The sever would probably never come since the restaurant offers the service as a room for a meeting and not a meal.

Ezra and Olivia stepped inside the private room, a cozy space with plush seating and a table set for three. A flickering candle cast a warm glow, creating an intimate atmosphere. They took their seats, both of them silent, their thoughts occupied with the impending meeting.

After a few minutes of waiting, a knock at the door broke the silence. "Come in," Ezra called, his voice steady.

The door opened, and the Arbiter's promised ally stepped inside.

Captain Helena of the peacekeepers. As usual, she was a formidable presence, her white uniform immaculate, her posture rigid with authority. Her piercing eyes swept over the room, taking in Ezra and Olivia with a measured gaze.

Ezra chuckled as he stared at her. "At this point, I shouldn't be surprised. Captain Helena." He greeted, standing up to shake her hand. "Thank you for meeting us."

She shook his hand firmly and took a seat on the empty chair at the table. Olivia nodded to her.

Helena leaned forward on the table, her gaze steady. "As you have probably guessed, I am the ally the Arbiter promised to you."

"Of course. I assume you've been made aware of the Silent Hand." Ezra stated and Helena nodded. "How do we coordinate to take them out."

"Things are not that simple." Helena chuckled without any humor. "There is a condition attached to my help." Sёarch* The Nôvel(F)ire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Wait a minute." Olivia held up a hand. "We thought the Arbiter's help was guaranteed."

"It is, to an extent." Helena held Olivia's gaze before turning to Ezra. "However, I have my own agenda. I'll join forces with you, but my support comes with a requirement."

Ezra gritted his teeth in anger. This wasn't what he had been promised. "What do you want?"

Helena grinned, shark like, as she leaned forward. "Simple. Help me depose Griffin as Count."