Chapter 379: I promise

Chapter 379: I promise

Moxie convinced Noah to wait until Lee showed up for the full explanation of what had happened, keeping the students from sharing too much and only heightening his distress.

He was pacing back and forth in a line like a trapped tiger when Lee appeared with a flash of blue at the base in the transport cannons tube a few minutes later but the Lee appeared wasnt the one that Noah recognized.

It wasnt an external change. Sure, Lees eyes were slightly sunken and an aura of exhaustion wrapped her like a heavy cloak, but she still looked like Lee. That was where the resemblance ended.Follow current novels at novelhall.com)

Noahs domain prickled as it washed over Lee, swirling around her body but failing to grow close to it. He couldnt quite put into words what the sensation was, but it almost felt like an air of hunger and desire encircled her entire body.

She reached Rank 4. Did it change her that badly? I remember how worried she was about it. If I need to, Ill rip the Rune right back apart.

Lee! Noah exclaimed, taking a step toward her. She flinched back and Noah froze in place, his features creasing with concern. What happened, Lee?

Dont get close to me, Lee said. I Im different. Its not as bad as I thought it would be, but it will be.

Bah, Noah said. Well see about that. You arent injured, right?

Only small cuts, Lee said with a shake of her head. But

Thats all that matters, Noah said, crushing the information his domain was sending him. He didnt care if Lee didnt feel the same as she used to. As long as Lees mind was intact and she was who she wanted to be, he refused to see her any differently.

And, if her Runes were going to stand in their way, then theyd find a way to shatter them and reform everything until Lee was safe.

Maybe I should take the kids and let you talk privately with Lee, Moxie said. I think she needs someone who will understand her situation a little more, and an audience is going to make it harder for her to speak.

Hold on, Noah said with a frown. Are you sure its safe considering what just happened? How do we know there arent more?

Moxie considered his question for a moment, then shrugged. We cant live in terror permanently, and Brayden said it was only the one. I trust him. Silvertide also said he handled Wizens clones, so we should be fine.

Noah drummed his fingers against his thigh, but Moxie had a point. The threats should have been handled for the time being, at least. He couldnt follow everyone around permanently, and Arbitage was still technically a neutral ground.

Lee and I should be the only ones at risk of any attacks from normal people, and Wizen has been sent packing for the time being.

Youre right. Can you stay at the room after youre done, though? I know how you felt when Jalen kidnapped me, and I cant say its a particularly enjoyable feeling. I was really damn worried.

Emily made a gagging noise. Could you do this somewhere you dont have company? Its gross.

I was worried about you too, Noah told Emily.

She snapped her mouth closed and looked to the side while Alexandra laughed.

It didnt. Lee nodded. And he wasnt ready for me to attack again, so Azel and I killed him. But the reason I lived through the Bloodline Curse was becase Azel took the hit for me.

Shit, Noah muttered, trying to figure out what had been running through the demons head. Azel had saved Lee, and it had killed him. Nothing else would have caused their connection to snap the way it had.

Why would Azel do that for Lee, though? He could have retreated to my body.

That isnt it, though, Lee said softly. My Demon Rune was too strong, and it nearly turned me into a real demon. Azel stopped it temporarily, at least. It was the last thing he did before he died.

If Noah had been confused before, now he was completely baffled. Whoever Lee was describing didnt sound like Azel at all.

Just like that? Why? Noah asked.

Lee swallowed. Before he died, he talked to me. I he said he was my dad, Noah. And I think he was telling the truth.

And, finally, the pieces clicked into place. Azel had known about Lee from the start. Hed always planned to leave Noahs mind and enter hers.

I never thought Azel was the type to care about his offspring, though. I would have thought Lee would have just been another tool for him. What changed? Or did he play me from the start?

It only took one look at Lees face to tell Noah that now wasnt the time to pry. He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

It sounds like Azel made his choice clear, Lee. He wanted you to live and it sounds we all owe him a thank you.

Hes dead, Lee said, staring at her feet. Ill never get to find out anything that I wanted to. Hes just gone. It doesnt make sense.

Hes not completely gone, Noah said. He gave you his Runes, Lee. Ill be honest. I dont know why he changed, and I didnt like the person he used to be. But it sounds like he died as someone better than what he was.

It doesnt matter, Lee said bitterly. What good is it now? Hes dead.

Noah let out a soft laugh. Death is just the beginning, Lee. Itll be millennia before the last traces of Azel are gone. We can still get you those answers.

Lee blinked. What? How?

Ive seen the afterlife, and my goals have always been to get strong enough to never fear it again, Noah said. Ill make it, and you will to. All of us will. Then well find Azel and get your answers.

But what about my Demon Rune? Its going to consume me, Lee said. Its only a matter of time if you dont Sunder it. Azel said what he did wouldnt hold forever.

Did you forget who I am? Noah asked. Well find a way to fix it. One way or another, well all make it. Youll see Azel again, and you arent going to lose yourself to your own Runes.

Promise? Lee asked.

Noah held her gaze. Yeah. I promise.