NOVEL WEB Chapter 279: Gain their power
'Even the pendant couldn't protect Amelie,' Gabriel thought grimly, his fingers gently laced around hers as she slept restlessly.
Earlier, after a tense discussion with Carlos about how to break the cursed marks, Gabriel had called the doctor. Since Skye was unavailable at that hour, another physician was sent to examine Amelie.
Now, as the soft light of dawn spilled into the room, Gabriel glanced at the clock and then reached for his phone on the bedside table. He opened the contacts and clicked on his mother's contact.
However, he hesitated to dial that number.
After a long pause and a deep breath, he tapped the number and raised the phone to his ear. He didn't expect her to answer, but he couldn't stop himself from trying.
To his surprise, Mabel answered the call.
"I didn't expect you to call me," Mabel said on the other end.
"Good morning, Mom," Gabriel greeted softly, forcing the words past the tightness in his throat.
She paused for a moment, sensing the trouble in his voice. "Is everything alright?"
"Mom…" Gabriel hesitated, then asked quietly, "Did you ever love me… even the tiniest bit?"
Silence stretched between them.
Finally, Mabel spoke again. "Why have you called?"
"Amelie went into sudden pain last night," he replied. His eyes shimmered with tears, and he quickly wiped them away with the back of his fingers. "I want you to help me undo the curse she's carrying. I won't ask anything else from you. I won't argue with you ever again. Also, I'll send someone to you, a person I trust. Just tell him the truth about what the High Priestess told you. That's all I ask. Please, Mom."
Mabel's brows drew together. "And what about you? The mark on your head… shouldn't you be looking for answers to that as well? You've been doing things behind my back, haven't you?"
"Mom, we're getting close to the truth," Gabriel said, his voice shaking. "But right now, please, just tell this person the truth."
"Sure," Mabel replied and the call disconnected.
Gabriel looked at the screen blankly, feeling a bit better.
He dropped a message to Karmen.
[Come to the mansion. It's an emergency situation.]
Resting the phone aside, he looked back at Amelie, who looked peaceful at the moment. He brought his hand to her bump, giving it a gentle caress, hoping the pup was feeling his warmth.
'What have we done to get such curses? But whatever it is, I will protect you. Nothing will happen to you,' Gabriel thought.
~~~~~
"Why did you come so early in the morning?" Glenice asked, her brows knitting in confusion.
"Did you tell anyone I approached you about the protective charms?" Carlos asked directly, his voice tinged with urgency.
"No, of course not. Are you doubting me now?" Glenice narrowed her eyes, resting her hands calmly on her lap. "Did something happen?"
"No… I just need the charms. I'm running out of time," Carlos said firmly, his eyes scanning the room restlessly.
"But the full moon hour hasn't begun yet," Glenice replied, her tone steady. "You know certain spells only gain their power when cast within that window. Without it, the charms won't be effective."
"The full moon begins in four hours," she added. "So you'll have to wait, Carlos. In the meantime, why don't you join me for breakfast?"
Carlos hesitated briefly, then nodded. "Sure."
Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Seeing Gabriel's name flash on the screen, he quickly excused himself and stepped out into the open garden adjoining the living room.
"Yes, Gabriel?" he answered.
"Amelie isn't waking up," Gabriel said, his voice trembling with panic. "Carlos, are you sure she's alright?"
Carlos drew in a breath, glancing at the early morning sky. "It's still too soon. Her body is recovering from what happened last night. She'll wake once her energy is restored. Don't worry, Gabriel. She just needs a little more time."
"I spoke to my mother. Once you return with the charms, Karmen will take you to the palace," Gabriel said.
Carlos gave a short nod. "Alright. But the capital is quite far."
"I've already made arrangements for your early arrival," Gabriel assured him.
"I see," Carlos replied thoughtfully. "I'll return by noon with the charms."
"Thank you," Gabriel said softly. As he hung up the call, he lowered the phone to the mattress.
'Gabriel, I sense a wolf,' Volko spoke in the back of Gabriel's head. 'It is of Amelie,' he murmured.
'Yes. But we are unable to form the connection. Her wolf seems to be trapped,' Gabriel added, a frown creasing his forehead.
His grip on Amelie's hands tightened for a moment. "Wake up, Ame," he whispered.
A knock interrupted the quiet, followed by Karmen's voice from the hallway.
"Gabriel, are you inside?"
"Yes, come in," Gabriel called out.
Karmen stepped into the room, his brows furrowed as his eyes landed on Amelie.
"What happened to her? Is she still unconscious?"
"Not unconscious," Gabriel replied, his voice low. "But she's in a deep slumber."
He looked down at Amelie, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Karmen, she was in so much pain last night... I've never seen anything like it. Carlos says a vengeful witch, someone from the past, has returned. She activated the curse."
"What? How is that even possible?" Karmen asked, clearly baffled. "Witches don't live that long... and why now, after all this time?"
Gabriel clenched his jaw, his eyes darkening.
"I don't know," he admitted with rage. "But we need to find her, and end this. She has hurt Amelie... and our pup."
He looked back at Amelie, his hand still wrapped around hers.
"The very thought of it makes my blood boil."
"I thought the pendant you gave to Amelie always protected her. If it's truly a curse from the witch, then things are going to be complicated. I've heard that curses don't end easily," Karmen said with a worried gaze.
"Something has happened in our past lives. Carlos will find the truth. But whatever it is, Amelie is innocent and the pup, in her womb, isn't at fault either," Gabriel said.