Chapter 76: I want your hand. What will you trade it for

Chapter 76: I want your hand. What will you trade it for "Wait! Don’t! It’s just a slight bump!" Eva struggled, pleading as she shrank into Julian’s hold, her eyes darting as Ethan’s fingers drew closer to her side. Julian lifted her clothes, revealing the reddish hue of her pale skin. Ethan’s heart stilled, ignoring her pleading eyes and kneaded the balm into her skin, massaging it with firm gentle hands. Eva wailed as if she were being slaughtered. Julian couldn’t help but pat her head soothingly, speaking offhandedly. "Why didn’t you use your power...." He froze and Eva’s wail choked in her throat. Ethan, who had been closing the balm, froze at his words. Regaining his composure, he quickly stepped back. Julian mechanically released her and followed Ethan’s lead, but it was too late. A hand shot out, grabbing him by the collar. He sighed inwardly and looked down to meet Eva’s blank stare. "Use my powers... Why the hell did I have to go through that?!" Eva shouted, her voice filled with anger and disbelief. Eva felt so wronged. How could she have forgotten about her powers again? She wasn’t a zombie—she could feel pain now. ’That last time I got injured, Ethan used his ice powers to press on it, but why did he use balm, though?’ She turned to find Ethan, only to spot him at the far end of the field. Stunned, her grip loosened—Julian took that chance. He ruffled her hair and kissed her lips. "Eva dear, you can’t blame anyone; you’re the one who forgot to use your powers," he said, sneaking in another kiss. She looked so cute with her puffed cheeks. Sensing her incoming kick, he teleported beside Ethan. He cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, ’Wife, do you want to hurt your sexy husband?!" Eva huffed in frustration. "Continue running! Better watch your backs I will come for you!" She threatened and eyed them with the promise of revenge. Holding her side, she grimaced and walked toward her food, hoping to soothe her anger with meat. Ethan rubbed the bridge of his nose in guilt, Julian chuckled at her words, not taking her words to heart. Selina squatted at the side of the road in doubt, after the haze cleared from her mind—she realized she didn’t know where he lived. She stared at the rocky ground in a stupor, trying hard to go through memory lane for any clue relating to his house. "You got to be kidding me," Selina muttered, her voice shaking in disbelief. She didn’t expect to meet a roadblock. All her plans were wasted by a mere address; tears welled up in her eyes at that thought. The dark surroundings deepened her gloom. Her shoulders trembled, tears gushing out in torrents. ’Is it too much to want a better life? Why can’t everything go well for me, why!’ She was so lost in her world that she didn’t notice a mini-bus slowing down beside her. Inside, long fingers tapped the seat’s edge as a sliver of light reflected off a pair of glasses. "Call the lady in." A timber-like soft voice echoed through the quiet bus. The driver nodded and quickly got down from the bus, going straight to Selina without delay. Selina was startled by the tap on her shoulder. "Miss. My master wants to see you, please enter." The driver’s words were polite but firm, broking no for an answer. Through the haze of tears, Selina stared at the towering man before her, and her eyes flashed with fear. "I’m waiting for someone. I can’t leave," Selina replied, her voice trembling as her gaze darted around nervously, hoping to spot someone. The driver noticed her subtle action and frowned, "Miss, my master doesn’t like to be kept waiting." This time, his voice turned cold, making Selina’s heart hang in her throat. She looked toward the bus, trying to glimpse the person inside, but all she could see was a pair of glasses. "Miss." He gestured to the bus with his arms out. Selina hugged herself and tried to calm her breath. With a last glance around, she crept slowly to the bus, hoping for someone to pass by, but she was unlucky; no one passed by at that moment. And she could only enter the bus. She sat with her hands pressed together on her thighs and covertly shot a glance at the mysterious man covered in darkness. "Bring out the Crystals." The man’s unique voice made Selina tense, but when the crystal light shone on his figure, her eyes widened in surprise. Silver hair, striking dual-coloured eyes—green and amber—framed by silver-rimmed glasses and sharp features. ’Caiden Grey. How is he here?’ Caiden thought nothing of her surprised gaze, already used to the stares of the opposite sex. He stared at her delicate fingers with appreciation. "I like your hand. What will you trade for it?" Caiden said softly, but his words sent a chill down her spine. "W-W-What do you mean?" Selina stammered, her eyes wide with fear as she shrank into her seat. Caiden frowned, but the sight of her pale fingers made him ask again. "I want your hand. What will you trade it for—money or food?" he asked in a bargaining tone, patiently waiting for her response. Selina hugged herself tightly, her heart pounding in her ears. ’T-To cut it off...?’ she stammered, hoping her ears were playing tricks on her. But he nodded calmly as if pricing a piece of clothing. ’Madman! I have to leave here!’ Selina quickly darted for the car handle; thoughts of using him against Ethan and the rest were out of her mind. But she frozen in place by an unfamiliar warmth on her fingers, her eyes moved, looking down to see him holding her hands carefully. His expression softened, his eyes filled with warmth, as if gazing at a romantic partner. Selina might have been moved, if only his gaze wasn’t fixed on her fingers. She wanted to snatch her hands, but they suddenly grew heavy; she watched as gold metallic liquid crept on her fingers, becoming solid by the second. Caiden hummed under his breath, appreciating his handiwork—he knew it would be perfect with gold—a perfect piece. Selina watched in horror as her fingers turned into solid gold, her body trembling violently as tears poured from her eyes. She pleaded in desperation. "Please... let me go. I can give you my ring. Yes! It can close dungeon rifts—no monster can spawn another after it dies. Please, believe I’m not lying." Selina extended her trembling right hand, the silver ring gleaming under the crystal light. Tears and snot dripped down her face as she trembled under his piercing gaze. Survival was all that mattered—if she became handicapped, she’d be lower than beggars in the hierarchy. She would either sell herself to survive or become a noble’s practice dummy. Caiden frowned in disgust, but her words had caught his attention. He glanced at the ring, uncertain whether she was bluffing or telling the truth. "I’m not so uncouth as to take your hand without payment," he said with a sincere smile, returning her hands to normal. His tone sharpened, though his smile never wavered. "I always get what I want."