The Sinful Pact

Chapter 9: The Forbidden Plan

Days passed in a whirl since Dante had made his proposition, and Leona was in the grip of anxiety and determination. A counter pact ritual strong enough to sever the bond with Alistair was terrible to contemplate. But as her fear of him rose, so did her resolve.

That night, she couldn't sleep. The weight of her decision bore down on her, every thought tugging her deeper into a web of doubt and hope. She had always valued life, devoted her days to healing, and now she was being asked to give up something precious to break free.

In the dim light of her small apartment, she heard a soft knock at the door. Her heart skipped a beat, as fear and anticipation mingled in her veins. She opened the door to find Dante standing there, his face shadowed and tense.

"We have to hurry," he said, stepping inside. "Alistair's suspicions are growing. If he senses anything, he'll tighten his hold on you even more."

Leona nodded, her fingers brushing the mark on her wrist. It was faint now, but she could still feel Alistair's grip, a bond that seemed to pulse with each thought of him.

"What will this ritual involve exactly?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Dante hesitated, his gaze steady yet somber. "It's not just about breaking the bond. We have to drain something from Alistair, a source of his power. His power isn't natural, Leona. It's bound to an artifact, something hidden and precious to him. If we can take it from him, we can use it to break the bond."

Her heart started racing. "But how will we find it?"

Dante looked away, his jaw set. "I know where it is. But we'll have to approach carefully. If he catches us, it could mean the end for both of us."

Leona swallowed hard as the reality of their plan set in. Yet under the fear, a spark of hope flickered. For the first time, she glimpsed a future where she might be free from Alistair's control.

As they planned, the gravity of her choices became clear. The path was dangerous, but it was one she knew she had to take. There would be no turning back.