Scarlett (Second Edition) by Karima Saad Usman novel Chapter 226

Scarlett

#hapter 226

Scarlett’s POV

When Maxwell and Clay returned after four days, I was furious with them. They hadn’t called or sent any word since the second day, leaving Lucian and me to speculate anxiously about what was going on. Elsa’s calm reassurance that everything would be fine had been the only thing keeping my worry from spiraling out of control.

But now, seeing the looks on Maxwell and Clay’s faces as they walked into the living room my frustration quickly gave way to dread. Something was wrong -terribly wrong.

Maxwell entered first, his expression grim, while Clay sank onto the couch, looking worn and unsettled. I could feel the tension radiating from both of them. Their panic and worry were almost palpable.

“What’s the matter?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended. My magic crackled faintly in response to my growing unease. Clay avoided my gaze, clearly struggling to find the words.

“I can handle it,” I pressed, trying to steady myself. “Tell me what’s going on.”

Clay sighed heavily, glancing at Maxwell before finally looking at me. “There’s terrible magic rising from the South,” he began, his voice low but steady. “And David-he’s not just involved. He’s the beta of the one responsible. An eighteen-year-old… who calls himself Nikolay Vladislav.”.

The words hit me like a blow, and my heart sank. So now I knew-the kin we had been/dreading was male.

“I don’t think we can defeat him,” Clay confessed, his voice cracking slightly. The admission shocked me. Clay wasn’t the type to admit defeat, not even in the direst of circumstances.

I looked at Maxwell, searching for reassurance, but his face mirrored Clay’s worry. Lucian, sensing the tension, silently poured drinks at the bar and handed them to the others. Both Clay and Maxwell took them gratefully, their hands trembling slightly.

“I’m not going to lie,” Clay continued, his tone grim. “At this point, I wish we could abandon ship and just run. I don’t want that thing anywhere near Scarlett-or her magic. You heard what Elsa said. If he touches her magic… it’ll corrupt her.”

Lucian’s jaw tightened as he placed his glass down with deliberate calm. “We’re not running,” he said firmly, his voice laced with resolve. “I’ve already called

Keith, and I know Garland will help. We’ll rally the Northwest and the East together. If we Atand united, we’ll have a chance.”

Clay didn’t respond immediately, his lips pressing into a thin line as though he was holding something back. Finally, he sighed and looked directly at me, his green eyes filled with unease. “Scarlett, I’m about to tell you something, and I need you to be strong.”

The knot in my stomach tightened. “Tell me,” I demanded, my voice trembling despite my best efforts to remain composed.

Clay hesitated, glancing at Maxwell for support. Maxwell, in turn, moved to my side and placed a steadying hand on my shoulder. His touch was firm yet comforting, and it was the strangest thing–I hadn’t realized I needed it until that moment.

“Clay,” I pressed, my frustration bubbling over. “This suspense is killing me. Just tell me already!”

Clay’s eyes flickered with something-was it regret? His green gaze softened as though he wanted to reach out and heal me, though I couldn’t imagine why.

What could possibly warrant this kind of reaction?

Maxwell’s grip on my shoulder tightened slightly as he moved closer, wrapping his arms around me in an uncharacteristic gesture of comfort. It felt strange,

almost unnatural, but it was as if he knew something I didn’t-that I would need his support to face whatever was coming.

773

1:38 am P

Chapter 226

“When you acting like this?” Lasked, nify ace barely above a whisper. “What is it?”

Maxwell’s silence spoke volumes, and Clay’s hesitation only deepened my fear. Whatever they were about to say, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy to hear. My magic flared faintly, a reflection of my rising panie, as I braced myself for what was to come

“Tell me, I managed to whisper, my voice trembling as fear clawed at my chest.

Clay’s expression darkened as he finally spoke. “The West has fallen, Scarlett,” he said, voice heavy with the weight of the news.

I stared at him, frozen. The words seemed unreal, as though they were spoken in a language I couldn’t understand. “The West…” I repeated, my voice barely

audible.

“Young Nikolay is heading North,” Clay continued. “At least, that’s what our informants say. They’re not certain-it could be the East or the North-but

neither region is safe now.”

My breath hitched, my heart pounding in my ears. The room felt suffocating as his words settled over me. It was as though the ground beneath me had

crumbled, leaving me suspended in disbelief,

“They say his power is like nothing they’ve ever seen,” Clay said grimly. “It brings death to everything it touches, almost at will. And his wolf… it’s young and deadly. Scarlett, I don’t know if we can stand against him. If Keith has fallen, then…”

“Stop!” I interrupted, my voice breaking. My hands trembled as I fought to steady myself. “Did they see him fall? Did they see a body?”

Clay looked at Maxwell, who shook his head slowly. “No, but David and Nikolay hold the West now,” Maxwell said, his voice soft yet strained “If Keith were alive, he would have resisted. He would have fought back by now.”

I shook my head, refusing to believe it. “Did he fight Keith? Did Keith fight them?” I demanded, my voice rising.

Maxwell didn’t answer immediately, and the hesitation in his silence crushed me. “We don’t know for sure,” he finally admitted.

Tears welled in my eyes, blurring my vision. “Keith has visions,” I said desperately. “I called to warn him. There’s a possibility he-”

“Scarlett, please,” Maxwell interrupted gently, his hands resting on my shoulders. “Please, don’t do this to yourself. Please.” His voice was pleading, but I

couldn’t accept his words.

“No,” I said, shaking my head as tears streamed down my cheeks. “He could be alive. He has to be alive. He told me he’d visit. He told me we’d strategise together. He can’t be dead.” My voice cracked, and the pain in my chest grew unbearable.

r

I collapsed to the floor, my knees hitting the ground as sobs wracked my body. “He can’t be dead!” I cried, clutching my chest as if it could somehow ease the agony tearing through me.

Maxwell knelt beside me, his arms wrapping around me as he tried to comfort me. Clay joined him, his earth magic radiating a subtle calm that helped me breathe but did little to numb the grief. Lucian was there, too, holding me tightly, his strength a silent promise that he wouldn’t let me face this alone.

Still, the pain was overwhelming. I could see no way this could have been prevented, no way to undo what had already been done. All I could do was weep the crushing weight of loss and uncertainty breaking me completely.

39 am P PO