When Caleb was unfazed, my eyes welled up with tears.
âCan you bear the thought of leaving our children without parents?â
Yet, he remained resolute, unmoved by my words, insisting, âDebra, stop trying to convince me.
Regardless of what you say, I will not leave you behind.
â
Boom!
As Gale launched another attack, Caleb swiftly evaded, his movements nimble and precise.
Before he could catch his breath, a relentless barrage of strikes followed.
Galeâs maniacal scream pierced the chaos.
âI refuse to let the two of you die together! Iâll make you suffer! Suffer for eternity!â
Upon hearing Calebâs words, Carlos halted his attempts to persuade him, opting instead to deflect some of the attacks and retort with a sneer, âThatâs not your decision to make!â
Amidst dodging Galeâs assaults, Caleb said resolutely, âDebra, we promised each other that we would face life and death together.
I canât abandon you now.
Besides, what meaning would this world hold for me without you?â
I felt utterly helpless.
I turned my pleading gaze to Carlos, urging, âCarlos, youâre the only one who can intervene now.
Please, save Calebâs life.
Donât let him make a mistake.
â
But Carlos, too, had made up his mind, offering no response to me and steadfastly focusing on blocking Galeâs relentless assaults.
After skillfully dodging another of Galeâs potent attacks, Caleb attempted to reach out and touch my face.
Concerned about causing harm, I had no choice but to hastily withdraw, evading his touch.
I cried out, pleading, âCaleb, please hear me out and go.
The Thorn Edge Pack truly depends on you, and so does our children.
â
Caleb persisted stubbornly in his attempts to touch and embrace me.
We couldnât sustain this any longer.
A decision had to be made.
With tears in my eyes, I managed a smile and said, âCaleb, when Iâm no longer here, you must take care of yourself and our children.
I will always love you.
â
Caleb appeared to sense something, panic evident in his eyes.
âDebra, what are you planning to do?â
As he spoke, he attempted to rush into the flames to embrace me.
Such a foolâ¦
My heart ached bitterly as I expended the last of my witch power to propel Caleb toward Carlos, inadvertently blocking Gale in the process.
I shouted, âCarlos, you must take Caleb and go.
Iâm entrusting him to you; protect the Thorn Edge Pack together.
â
Carlos met my gaze with a solemn nod, then decisively ushered Caleb away.