Chapter 148 Kailey’s Return


    Aleshia managed to escape Kailey''s grapple and turned around to face her. She scanned Kailey from head to toe. "So, is that you? Kailey?" she asked.


    "I suppose it is," Kailey replied, a frown gradually forming. "The last thing I remember is reading that book and then blacking out," she said, almost as a question. Kailey slowly began to piece together her thoughts. "So, was the book successful in curing my curse?" she asked a hint of dismay in her voice.


    Hearing the dismay in Kailey''s voice, Aleshia solemnly approached her and wrapped her arms around her to offer comfort. In a calm tone, Aleshia explained, "According to what Lucia told me, I mean the witch hat, it revealed that what you read was a cursed tome called the ''Tome of Desire.'' It is said to reveal people''s deepest desires within its pages, luring victims into a false sense of security. The book then tries to draw them in while they are dazed. I believe because I was present when it began to consume you, it wasn''t able to take you over.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    The sudden reality of the situation hit Kailey, causing her to sink to the floor as Aleshia explained what had happened. Her previously cheerful face turned downcast. Aleshia quickly reached out her arms, trying to catch Kailey. When she managed to grasp her, she attempted to lift her back up. However, she wasn''t able to pull Kailey up completely. Instead, she gently allowed her to slide back down to the ground.


    In a faltering, quiet, desperate voice, Kailey cried, "So, I didn''t find a cure for myself? It was all just a dream? Returning to my family and repaying all their hard work was all a dream?"


    Guilt washed over Aleshia as she watched Kailey''s reaction to the news. In her thoughts, she reflected, "So that tomb of desire created a dream-like world for Kailey. How can I help her process this?" This question consumed Aleshia.


    Allowing Kailey to take her time, Aleshia held her in a comforting hug until all of Kailey''s tears flowed. It wasn''t until Kailey had calmed down that she noticed Aleshia''s arms.


    "What are those?" Kailey asked, her concern evident as she sniffled quietly.


    Aleshia showed her arms to Kailey, allowing her to examine the marks while explaining her thoughts about them. "I got these marks from a few rooms inside this ruin, but now I''m unsure what to do with them. I can''t read them, but they feel familiar."