Chapter 198 PIPER The relic glowed under the dim light that managed to sieve .

through the thick canopy .

There was something different about its glow , like it was some living thing which breathed power and danger .

I knelt before it , my fingers hovering over its rough surface .

Warricks voice cut through the stillness , sharp and angry .

Piper , dont .

You dont know what that thing will do .

looked at him , his face a mask of concern and frustration .

And if I dont do something , what happens then ? Auroras drowning , Trajans capture , Danes gone tell me , Warrick , what happens if I just stand by ? He moved closer , his hand reaching out to stop me , it seemed .

We dont even know what it is .

What if you make things worse ? I spun back to the relic , my jaw clenching .

Worse than this ? Ill take my chances .

Piper .

His voice gentled , almost pleading now .

This isnt the way .

I faced him fully now , anger boiling over .

And what is ? Hiding ? Chapter 198 Waiting ? Watching everyone around us suffer while we do nothing ? 2/7 His eyes searched for mine , and for a moment , I saw something unguarded there fear , perhaps .

Not of himself , but of me .

Im trying to protect you .

I faltered .

My determination stopped for one heartbeat .

Then I turned back to the relic .

I dont need your protection , Warrick .

Before he could say another word , I laid my hand on the relic .

In an instant , the air moved around me , thick and electric .

The glow coming from the relic brightened as its face rippled , like water into which someone had thrown a stone .

My ears whined with the low noise that grew louder by the second .

My heart thundered against my ribs , its rhythm matching the pulsing of the relics light .

Piper , stop ! Warrick yelled , launching himself toward me .

But it was too late .

A sudden , sharp pain shot through my hand and I cried out , trying to pull away .

My hand was stuck , as if it had fused to the relic .noveldrama

Warrick grabbed my arm , trying to yank me back , but some energy from the relic lashed out and sent him sprawling backward .

Chapter 198 Piper ! he yelled , his voice filled with panic .

3 // 7 I couldnt say .

The artifacts power roared through me , wildland endless , filling my every inch .

Visions came at me flashing fast , weird symbols , weird shadows , and then Warrick .

I gasped as something clicked into place inside , an unseen line connecting us .

Warrick clutched at his chest , twisted in pain .

Whats going on ? he said , fighting to his feet .

The glow of the artifact stopped and my hand was released .

I stumbled backward , clutching my chest as a strange sensation flowered there it was like a second heart , steady and unyielding .

I turned to Warrick , who stared back at me , his face a mix of confusion and horror .

I … I feel you , he whispered .

I nodded , unable even to speak as it dawned on me .

We were .

connected .

Something the relic had done was binding them in a very personal and overwhelming way .

What have you done ? Warrick shouted , his voice rising .

What just happened , Piper ? I didnt mean to , I said , my voice shaking .

I just … Chapter 198 4/7 You just couldnt listen ! he snarled ; the anger burst out .

I told you not to touch it , and look at us now ! I was trying to help ! I erupted .

You think I wanted this ? He opened his mouth to respond , but his face suddenly paled .

He clutched at his chest again , and I felt it a sharp , stabbing pain , like a knife twisting inside me .

I doubled over , gasping .

What … what is this ? I managed to get out , my voice barely above a whisper .

Warrick winced , his breathing short and ragged .

The relic … its cursed .

It felt like I had been punched in the stomach .

The relic , which had bound them to each other , also actually put a curse on them .

We stumbled back to the clearing , every step an effort .

The bond between us was always there , tugging and twisting through my head in ways that seemed to make it spin .

When we finally reached the edge of the forest , Warrick fell to the earth , white faced , dripping in sweat .

I sat down beside him , still clutching the relic in my hands , its glow hypnotic , now a reminder of how wrong I had been .

We gotta figure out how to break this , I said , shaking .

Warrick laughed darkly , throwing his head back against a tree .

You think ? But how , Piper ? You have some kind of magic .

Chapter 198 guidebook I dont know about ? 5/7 I tried to ignore the sarcasm , my mind racing .

There has to be a way .

Maybe the symbols I saw- Symbols ? he interrupted , eyes narrowing .

What symbols ? I swallowed hard and plunged into a description of the cryptic symbol flashes that had crossed my mind when Id touched the relic .

Again , Warricks face changed , frustration melting into something else hope , perhaps .

Ive seen those symbols before , he said slowly .

In one of the Nameless tombs .

Do you remember what they mean ? I asked urgently He shook his head .

Not all of them .

But one … it represented severance .

Severance , I whispered , rolling the word over in my mouth .

Warrick nodded gravely .

If we can understand the rest of the symbols , maybe we can figure out how to break this bond .

Where do we start ? I asked , desperation clear in my voice .

He nodded toward the relic .

The answers are probably in there .

But figuring them out wont be easy .

Chapter 198 We spent hours poring over this relic , which literally almost seemed to move and change on its surface as we did so .

The symbols were at once the same ; their meaning lay deep .

beneath the layered meanings of cryptic design .

Warrick and I worked in tense silence ; our bond was a real reminder that the stakes were constantly high .

6/7 Every time one or the other of us had a frustrating or impatient .

feeling , it would react through a wave of discomfort in both .

Finally , after what felt like eternity , I found something to say a pattern in the symbols , a repeating sequence with every few rotations the relic went through .

Warrick , look , I said , pointing to the symbols .

Its a cycle .

He leaned closer , his brow furrowing .

Youre right .

Its like … a lock .

And this is the key .

We had the sequence now , fitted together ; our combined efforts slowly unraveling the secrets of the relic .

But the more we unraveled , the more a chilling realization began to take shape .

To break the curse , Warrick said , his voice low , we have to sever the bond .

I nodded , my throat clenching .

But how ? He hesitated , then his gaze met mine .