Chapter 116

Cole Turner pressed on stubbornly, "What about the tracking talisman?"

This was the key. With it, they could achieve twice the results with half the effort while reducing the risks for his team.

Aria Bennett took a sip of tea. "As I mentioned before, a tracking talisman requires locking onto the target's aura, and the range can't exceed 500 kilometers."

"So giving you one now would be useless."

Cole's eyes lit up. "But if we provide an item carrying the target's aura, could you create one?"

"Exactly." Aria nodded.

The two quickly finalized the details of their collaboration.

For medicinal charms, Aria only asked for double the ingredients as payment. As for tracking talismans, they would need to supply the target's aura, then compensate her with medicinal ingredients or other items she required.

She didn't charge exorbitant prices—purely out of respect for these special forces soldiers who defended their country.

After all, a single talisman of hers could fetch a million on the black market.

Once the terms were settled, Agent Brooks suddenly spoke up, "Aria, does your tracking talisman work on blood mages?"

"Unless their power exceeds mine by more than double," Aria replied confidently.

In this world, there was practically no one stronger than her.

Brooks rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Then could you make one for us? We can pay in credits—since you'll be joining the department soon anyway."

The Special Response Division's credit system was flexible, exchangeable for supplies or cash.

Aria arched a brow. "Trying to track that blood mage?"

"Yes!" Brooks gritted his teeth. "That bastard is too slippery. We've been chasing him for over a year with no luck."

Aria thought for a moment. "Fine. But I'll need something she's used."

Brooks immediately pulled out a stack of talisman paper, cinnabar, and a few half-finished charms from his bag.

"Will these work?"

Aria picked up one of the incomplete charms. The handwriting looked oddly familiar.

Wasn't this the same script used in the ghost marriage contract?

Her heart jolted—so the one who had cursed Victor Blackwell was the very blood mage Brooks had been hunting!

"She's a woman?" Aria recalled the fortune-teller Moira Blackwell had mentioned.

Brooks' eyes widened. "You can even tell that?"

Cole cut in proudly, "See? I told you Aria was incredible!"

Aria smiled faintly but said nothing, focusing on sensing the aura embedded in the talisman paper.

A short while later, a fresh tracking talisman was complete.

"Effective within 500 kilometers. Light it to activate," she handed it to Brooks. "Single use only."

"Payment in credits will do."

Brooks accepted it like a priceless treasure. "Thank you! Credits are definitely more valuable than cash."

By the time they parted ways, it was already late at night.

Back home, Aria immediately dialed Victor Blackwell's number.

"Master Aria?" Victor, who was reviewing documents, sounded surprised by the call.

"Still wearing the talisman?" Aria got straight to the point.

"Always." Though the ghost marriage had been dissolved, the charm had proven effective.

Aria didn't mention the blood mage, only saying, "Your cousin should be having nightmares by now. Be careful—he might get desperate."

"Tomorrow, I'll send a protective charm for your mother. Both of you need to be extra cautious."

She paused. "Better install surveillance at home. Contact me immediately if anything seems off."

After hanging up, Victor arranged for security cameras to be installed the next day and went to warn his mother.

Meanwhile, Aria dialed Damian Cross's number.

A deep voice answered, "Calling so late?"

Water droplets slid down the man's sculpted abdomen as he casually towel-dried his damp hair, the corner of his lips curling upward unconsciously.