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Chapter 417
~Zara’s POV~
Suddenly, Vera raised both hands, and the entire room trembled. The air pulsed with magic as glowing vines of dark energy shot up from the ground, wrapping around my legs, and crawling up my body.
I froze.
My muscles locked up, my movents restricted. No—I wouldn’t let her trap .
I struggled against the restraints, but they held firm, the dark magic burning against my skin.
Vera took slow, deliberate steps toward as a victorious smirk appeared on her lips. "You should have just died quietly, Zara. But since you love playing the hero, I’ll ensure your death is a lesson."
I gritted my teeth, my heartbeat thundering in my ears. I would not let it end like this.
"Co on, Astrid," I muttered under my breath. "Ti to show this bitch what real power looks like."
And with that, I shut my eyes—letting the power inside finally rise.
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The air in the apartnt grew heavier, charged with magic so thick it made my skin prickle. The dark vines constricting my body pulsed, their energy draining with every second, but I refused to bow.
Vera took another step closer, her fingers twitching as if she was ready to strike again. Her eyes glead with sadistic pleasure. "Give up, Zara. You can’t fight . You were never ant to win."
I let out a slow breath, closing my eyes for just a second. Then, I smirked.
"Funny," I said, tilting my head. "Because last I checked, I wasn’t the one bleeding."
Vera’s eyes widened slightly, confusion flickering across her face just as white-hot energy exploded from my body. The glowing vines constraining shattered instantly, turning to ash.
Vera barely had a second to react before I moved—too fast for her to track. One mont, I was in front of her. The next, I was at her side, my foot slamming into her ribs.
The force of my kick sent her flying across the room, her body crashing through the coffee table, splinters of wood and glass scattered everywhere.
She coughed, blood dripping from the corner of her lips, but she still laughed.
"Impressive," she admitted, wiping the blood off her chin. "So, the little wolf finally decides to fight back."
I rolled my shoulders, flexing my fingers as energy crackled at my fingertips. "I’ve always been fighting, Vera. You just weren’t worth my full strength."
Her eyes darkened, and in a blink, she was back on her feet. She muttered sothing under her breath, and suddenly, the room trembled.
The shadows around us twisted and rose. The walls darkened as thick black smoke coiled in the air, taking form.
Three large, monstrous figures erged—hulking beasts with glowing red eyes and razor-sharp claws.
They were dark constructs of shadow magic. I clenched my fists. "That’s cute."
Vera’s smirk widened. "Then let’s see how cute it feels tearing you apart."
She snapped her fingers, and the beasts lunged.
I dashed forward, evading the first swipe of claws by a hair’s breadth. Spinning on my heel, I thrust my palm forward, sending a burst of white energy straight into the chest of one of the creatures.
It howled as the blast ripped through it, dissolving it into nothing.
The second one attacked from behind, but I was faster. I ducked, spun, and drove my elbow into its ribs, sending it skidding across the floor.
Vera sent a wave of dark energy at , but I flipped backwards just in ti, landing smoothly before launching a counterattack—a sphere of glowing white power exploding from my palm.
I didn’t know how, but all I knew was that I felt the untapped, untad energy inside , and it bent to my will.
Vera threw up a barrier, but she wasn’t quick enough. My blast slamd into her shoulder, sending her staggering back.
She hissed in pain, her eyes burning with rage. "You little—"
I didn’t let her finish. I rushed forward, my claws bared. I slashed, tearing through her magic and drawing a long, deep gash across her arm.
She scread, stumbling back as she clutched her wound.
I smirked. "Still think I can’t win?"
Vera snarled, her lips twisting into a furious grin. "Oh, I always knew you were powerful. That’s why I’m going to take what should have been mine from the start."
Suddenly, black lightning crackled around her, gathering at her fingertips.
I braced myself, watching as she ford a massive ball of dark energy, pulsating with raw destruction.
And then—she threw it.
I tensed, preparing to counter, but before I could move—
A blur of movent and a familiar scent flashed before . A heartbeat I knew better than my own.
It all happened in a flash of white and the heavy impact ca as a deep, agonising growl rendered the air followed by the sound of blood splattering.
I froze, my breath catching in my throat as I stared at the back of my protector. Because standing in front of , shielding with his entire body, was none other than Snow Zephyr.
His chest bore the full brunt of Vera’s attack, the massive, swirling darkness now embedded deep in his torso.
My mind blanked.
"Snow!"
His breathing hitched, his knees buckling as he gritted his teeth against the pain. Blood dripped from his lips, staining his shirt and seeping into the floor beneath him.
Vera took a step back, her face twisting in shock. "You... you idiot! Why—"
Snow exhaled shakily, his voice hoarse but filled with warmth. He turned his head slightly, eting my wide, panicked gaze with a soft, knowing smile.
"Told you... I’d always protect you."
"Shhh.... What... why? How did...? No stop talking please. Help sobody!"
Snow coughed again, more blood spilling from his lips onto the ground and my face. I didn’t care. I couldn’t. All that mattered was his warm body in my arms as I watched the life ebb away from his eyes.
Snow’s fingers trembled as he lifted his hand as if reaching for . His lips curled weakly, the corners of his mouth barely forming the words.
"I love you, Zara. Now and always."
And then, just like a fla extinguished, Snow’s body gave out. His hand fell limp. His eyes fluttered shut.
And my world shattered completely.
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