Chapter 95

Elder Veyron's bony fingers traced eerie arcs in the air as clusters of ghostly green flames materialized, drifting toward Aria Bennett like spectral harbingers of death.

A rustling sound erupted from the ground as countless venomous insects emerged from the soil, swarming toward Aria in a writhing mass.

"Oh my God! What is that?"

"Aria, watch out!"

"Holy crap, this is terrifying!"

Nolan Reed's pupils constricted, and he lunged forward, ready to charge down the steps.

"Don't move." Damian Cross's grip clamped around his wrist like iron.

"Let go!" Nolan snarled, glaring at him. "Aria's in danger!"

Damian didn't budge. "You'll only get in the way."

As the two struggled, Aria calmly drew three talismans from her sleeve. The papers ignited without wind, transforming into three fiery barriers that blocked the advancing insects.

Clink! Three divination coins shot through the air, striking the ghostly flames with pinpoint accuracy.

Elder Veyron's face twisted in shock. He hastily bit his finger and drew a bloody sigil on his palm—but before the curse could take form, a golden light from Aria shattered it.

Cough! The elder spat black blood, staggering backward.

With a venomous glare at Cole Turner and the others, he barked at the kidnappers, "Bring them here!"

Five or six armed men immediately swung their guns toward the hostages.

"Stand down!" Tobias Kane commanded, but the dark muzzles forced him to retreat.

Elder Veyron sneered, pulling out a wooden effigy carved with sinister runes. His fingers, slick with corpse oil, smeared across its surface.

"Pathetic tricks." Aria scoffed and flicked her fingers.

Crack! The effigy split cleanly in two.

The elder's eyes bulged in disbelief. "Impossible! My sigil hex—"

Before he could finish, he clutched his chest and collapsed to his knees, black blood oozing from his seven orifices.

"Shoot them! Kill them all!" he shrieked hysterically.

As the kidnappers prepared to fire, Damian flicked several leaves from his hand.

Whoosh!

"Ahh!" The gunmen howled as the leaves sliced deep into their wrists.

"Holy sh—!" Cole gaped. "Damian, are you in a damn martial arts movie?"

Seizing the moment, Aria formed a hand seal. "Array, rise!"

Seven crimson beams erupted from the ground, and the kidnappers suddenly turned on each other like madmen.

"The Sevenfold Bone Mirage?!" Elder Veyron's face contorted in horror. "That array was lost to time! How could you—"

Aria ignored him, her gaze snapping to the central hut—where the mysterious leader had already vanished.

"Ran fast." She narrowed her eyes, a theory forming in her mind.

Silas Kane... Could he be the same person?