Bloodline Chronicles II: Tricks of Fate

Chapter 7 - Hope

Hi guys! I am so sorry for the very late upload of this chapter! I mean, it's been almost three or four months since I last uploaded, and that was because of the lined up activities and requirements for my studies. Anyway, to those who are still continuing on reading, I really thank you a lot for doing so! I mean, this story would not have been successful without you (and yes, as long as there are still readers, I still consider this novel as successful. LOL) And I promise, from now then on, I would upload regularly chapters. Who would not, especially when the things are getting heated up!

So yes, the chapter title's Hope. But the ending of this chapter is quite...well, just read and you'll see. :)

Chapter 7 – Hope

Noah’s voice echoed inside Zabrina’s house, and the news brought a wave of great shock especially to Angelo, whose face became pale as snow. His mouth was frozen, his eyes wide open.

“An infused menetian relayed a message to me. Sir...” Noah continued, until his voice trailed off.

Angelo paced around the house, while the others just watched him doing that. It was the first time Van saw him extremely uneasy, losing his cool that fast. Van couldn’t help but say “Sir, what shall we do?”

“I don’t know. I—“

That was the first time Van saw a glimpse of mixed frustration and disappointment in Angelo’s eyes. His mentor, the first man he looked up to, and most importantly, his father, showed a flash of weakness. Van was sure he saw his hands trembling, his breathing pattern increasing rapidly.

“Angelo?” Van couldn’t help but ask.

But Angelo didn’t look at him; instead he looked at Celeste with his desperate face. With his shaking voice, he asked her. “Celeste, do you still have the Hope card?”

At first, Celeste was made confused by Angelo by his question. But after a few seconds of figuring that out, he rushed to get her pouch with the deck of cards in it.

“Celeste, faster! We still have time!” Angelo almost screamed, yet quite able to contain his eagerness in his voice.

While Celeste was locating the card from her deck, Zabrina said “Hope card? You mean the legendary Hope card?” His voice was silent, yet slightly trembling.

“Here it is.”

Celeste showed Angelo the flesh-colored card, faded because of ages. “Should we already use it? You said it’s the rarest card of all.”

Zabrina eagerly approached Celeste to look at the card. She saw two different frames; one had the drawing of a field, showered with intense rain, the second one was the same field yet illuminated by the sun raised high above the sky. The two frames were joined with a star, spreading its brightness to the two frames of drawings.

“Celeste, Lyre helped us in every way it could.” He faced all of the other members of Ad Lucem. Van clearly saw the change in his face, from the fearful one to a brave and encouraging Angelo. “It’s time to pay back.”

All of them prepared themselves needed for the war going on in Lyre. They packed their things up, and as they were already to leave, Angelo talked to Zabrina.

“Give us something valuable from you.”

Eyebrows shot up, Zabrina answered him with another question. “And why should I?”

Angelo gave a sigh. “It’s our duty now to protect you from the enemy, Zabrina.” He paused, and looked at Celeste, who was arranging her cards, getting ready for the battle. “She’s an infused levitian. She can track you, provided that she has something from you. Please, Zabrina? For Her safety?”