Where Paths Converge

"Fuck! I'm running late!" I exclaimed as I rushed towards my bathroom, phone in hand after Jimin called me to say she's on her way to the Archives.

"Stayed up a little late last night, Seren Vale?" Jimin giggled as she teased. Normally I would tease back, but not right now, I only have about fifteen minutes before 9:00AM, and Archives management is strict when it comes to punctuality.

"And whose fault is that?" I protested, dropping my phone on the sink's counter as I turned the shower on. We stayed up almost the whole night chatting on the phone, and it seems really unfair that she woke up early and I didn't.

"I woke up in time, don't know why you didn't," another teasing giggle, and if she wasn't special to me then I would have bit back in annoyance.

"Anyway, I'll see you, Seren. You only have... about thirteen minutes left," and Yu Jimin hung up, taking her cute giggles with her. Shit — no time to admire those, I got to go — no, I got to run.

The shower I took and the speed in which I brushed my teeth afterwards could have broken a world record. I dressed up in a blur — a gray shirt, gray sweatpants, and a gray hoodie on top — I could have also broken the world record for drabbiest outfit ever. Damn, the girls are going to roast me for this, but my scholarship's more important than what color are the clothes I wear.

I rushed out and gave a quick look at my watch — nine minutes. Fuck! Appropriate reaction if I do say so myself — because it usually takes a thirty minute walk from my apartment to the Archives. And even if I have the stamina to sprint that distance, it may only cut the time by a third — half if we're being generous. Either way, I'm screwed. 

But better late — than very, very late — so I decided to run for it. I took the stairs three steps at a time — which was still a lot considering my room was at the 7th floor. I rushed past neighbors — some familiar, most aren't. Old ladies threw the occasional "be careful, kid," while some grown men also told me to slow down lest I hurt myself. 

I made my way down and out the building, threw the gate open a little hard — and rattled myself at how it seemed to shake in its hinges. Good thing it stayed intact — or else I'll be screwed in the Archives for being late, and with my apartment for tearing the gate off because I was running late.

Shit — no time to think of miscellaneous thoughts — I need to run — so I sprinted like I never sprinted before. The world blurred around me as I felt adrenaline rush across my veins. My body was on auto pilot, relying on muscle memory on where to turn rather than scanning for the familiar landmarks. My lungs screamed for air and my legs and thighs burned with exertion — yet I found the strength to push on. The wind would have felt good as I ran, so did the bright and warm sunlight — if only I wasn't running late.

A couple more streets and corners and after what felt like three hours of sprinting I found myself panting heavily at the foot of the metal gates of Verrath's Archives building. I looked at the time as I caught my breath and — did my watch broke while I ran? I then looked at my phone to verify the time — 8:57AM. I have three minutes to spare? I seriously ran from my apartment to the Archives in six minutes?!

That's impossible, even with a spike of adrenaline, the most peak humans — then I paused — humans. I wasn't human, well, maybe, but I'm certainly something other than human. While I walked to enter the building, I thought back to the time Yeji talked about the theory that I have incubus blood — that I assimilate the abilities of those I have sex with. Did I somehow acquired Chaeryoung's speed after two nights ago? If I did, then did I also took something after Yuna and I did it?

I clocked in absently — exactly 9:00AM. I would have been relieved, if my thoughts weren't on that theory of Yeji's. I then swung the massive doors to the Archives' Halls only to have me flinch and raise an arm to cover my eyes, closing them tight after a blinding flash of light greeted me. 

The Archives was, traditionally, as they would like to say, gloomy and dark. Which in my insignificant opinion — was utter shit. It's a library! Why would you want your library to be dark? It is a place where people read!!!

And now – suddenly — the Archives which I was used to being the second darkest place ever — the first one was my thoughts, by the way — was so bright it could probably burn a lower vampire or two.

My eyes slowly adjusted and I was able to make out the faint outline of the reception center — which was empty. Did Yizhuo not arrive yet? Jimin should be already here as well.

I made my way towards the table in the middle of reception and heard shuffling underneath. I leaned in to see Jimin, crouched beneath the table as if reaching for something. I smiled in spite of myself, she was wearing a black sweater which rolled high as she stretched, exposing the smooth skin of her lower back, and a skirt as far as I could tell. 

I then cleared my throat to get her attention. Jimin jumped and hit her head on the edge of the table.

"Oh shit. Sorry, Jimin," I immediately vaulted over the table and knelt in front of Jimin — since when was I able to do that?

"Ow..." Jimin whined cutely and I just wanted to place her in my pocket right then and there as she sat on the floor, a hand stroking her head. "Oh. You're here? Didn't expect you to arrive on time."

"So did I," I replied, caressing the spot where she hit her head. Jimin looked up at me with a grateful smile. "You okay?"

"Yeah. It won't give me a concussion if that's what you're worried about," Jimin replied as she finally took a seat on a chair by the reception table.

"What were you doing down there anyway?" I asked, leaning on the table.

"Pen fell," Jimin answered, placing a pen she picked on the table.

I nodded, "Where's Yizhuo? Thought she'd be here already."

"She is," Jimin replied as she organized the desk. "She's with Minjeong for a quick bathroom break. I volunteered to sit the reception since I have nothing else to do."

"And the lights?" I asked, gesturing in a circular motion at the ceiling.

"Oh, that," Jimin looks up at the ceiling. "Took my eyes off yesterday when I arrived as well," she chuckled. "Apparently management thought the halls were 'too dark' when they inspected it after the attack."

"Figures," I scoffed. "And about time. They just sit in their asses at the King's palace and never bother to come down, of course they have no idea what the Archives actually is."

Just then — the sound of soft laughter echoes through the halls. Minjeong and Yizhuo then emerged from the direction of the bathroom.

Ning Yizhuo walked up front. She was cute, in a mature kind of way. She wore a white cropped top tshirt, shorts, and boots that screamed fashion. Me, on the other hand - yeah, let's not dwell on that, shall we.

Behind her, strode Minjeong, dressed in a casual tshirt that highlighted her slim figure and denim pants. A wave of nostalgia and familiarity crashed on me. Minjeong usually wears clothes that seemed to big for her, making her look smaller when she's already small to begin with. But seeing her now in these clothes reminded me of — her older sister.

She looked very much like her even though they're only one year apart. Minjeong is more springy and giddy, though. Her older sister was a lot more reserved around new people, although she did have quite a temper, which only made her cuter in my opinion. And all these thoughts just makes my chest tighten, she is with the Night Ladies now, training as a sorceress specializing in fire magic — all because I didn't have the strength to tell her that I selfishly wanted her to stay.

What the hell is happening? I asked myself. Why was memories of Minjeong's sister — the first person other than my grandmother that I both loved and lost — suddenly creeping out of my mind. First was when Chaeryoung's words made me remember her, and now, Minjeong was reminding me of her by resembling her too much.

"Hey," Jimin whispered, placing a hand on my thigh. "You okay?"

"Yeah." I replied, shaking myself while trying to also convince myself that I am indeed fine as I pushed the memories of my first love back to the abyss. "Just... thinking about stuff."

"What stuff?" Jimin asked gently as Yizhuo and Minjeong's voices drew closer.

I sighed in hesitation, "Later. Maybe a lot later."

Jimin nodded, "Okay. I understand. If you need anything —"

I nodded in understanding, placing a hand over hers as the sophomores finally reached the reception table.

"Seren!" Minjeong greeted energetically. "You look..."

"Drab?" I asked sarcastically. "Honestly the peak adjective you can choose about my appearance is 'simple'."

Yizhuo laughed, hearty and loud as Minjeong pouted. "I was gonna say you look great."

It was then my turn to laugh, Jimin also gave a light chuckle beside me. "Yeah. Great joke, Kim Minjeong."

"It wasn't a joke!" Minjeong protested.

"I agree!" Yizhuo exclaimed with equal enthusiasm. "I think you pull that look well. Charismatic, even." And was she... blushing? There was a slight flush in her ear which slowly traveled to her cheeks.

"Chatismatic is way above my pay grade."

"And you're broke," Jimin added.

"Ouch, Yu Jimin."

Our laughters echoed across the halls, the bright lighting seemed to enhance the mood.

"I'm Ning Yizhuo, by the way, Seren. I believe we weren't properly introduced." Yizhuo then shyly extended a hand.

"Seren Vale," I accepted her hand. It was cold, the cold you get when you're nervous. And she recoiled a bit when our hands connected. The flush on her cheeks grew redder and the girl can't maintain eye contact.

"Are you okay?" Jimin asked.

"She's fine," Minjeong replied as Yizhuo withdrew her hand. "She's usually awkward around people she just met. Although she was fine just a moment ago..." Minjeong looked quizzically towards her friend.

"Well, thanks for calling me charismatic despite that fact," I told Yizhuo who slowly crept to hide behind Minjeong.

"I look forward to working with you," Yizhuo bowed as she smiled reassuringly towards me.

I smiled back. Yizhuo seemed like a nice and charming girl. Hopefully this would make the transition of shuffling partners in the Archives a lot easier.

"Anyway," Yizhuo began. "Jimin said that you're also here to discuss something. I'll hold the fort here while you talk inside." She then moved and sat towards the empty chair beside Jimin.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Mhmm," Yizhuo nodded, pursing her lips cutely, her eyes focused on the doors in front of us.

"Just call us if you need help. We won't sit far," Jimin stood up and walked inside the hall with Minjeong following her.

"Thank you, Yizhuo. Consider us even after we took your shift when you got sick," I said as I pushed myself off the table.

"It's nothing," Yizhuo dipped her head. Was she blushing again? This girl seems weird — in a cute way. She seemed to jump from bubbly to shy at a blink of an eye — which I find charmingly cute. "It's the least I could do after that shift nearly got you killed."

"Don't overthink that too much. And don't be guilty about it," I placed a hand gently on the girl's shoulders. Her breath hitched and her shoulders tensed. I let go immediately and she relaxed almost as quickly. Was she okay? Well, I have the whole shift to ask her. For now, I have to go inside and talk to Jimin while we wait for Yeji and her team to arrive.

"Anyway, I, uh... I'll head inside. Call if you need help."

Yizhuo nodded without facing me. I slowly backed away when I noticed that she was fiddling her hands underneath the table and her thighs and legs were pressed tightly together. I decided that she's just nervous and proceeded towards the halls of the Archives wondering whether Yizhuo will truly be a good partner or not.

Even the halls were bright now, not just the reception area as Jimin, Minjeong, and I sat in a vacant eight-person table. Minjeong sat across from Jimin who sat beside me. The halls are empty — as it usually is on a Sunday. It's usually the day where students, scholars, and the occassional bored person don't come in as they are either resting or enjoying the last day of the weekends.

"Did you have anything to eat before you ran all the way here?" Jimin asked tenderly, her hand surreptitiously reaches across my thigh.

"No," I answered, my stomach growling in affirmation.

Jimin and Minjeong giggled, "I'll text Yeji to buy you something to eat," Jimin said, grabbing her phone and typing furiously.

"It's fine —"

"No, it's not," Jimin pursed her lips. "They're late, it's the least they could do."

"But —"

"No buts, Seren Vale. Message was already sent," Jimin smirked, showing her text to Yeji who is saved as Big Cat #1.

I chuckled, "Fine, thanks."

"Are you two really not dating?" Minjeong narrowed her eyes across us.

"Uh..." I stuttered.

"No," Jimin replied, sensing my hesitation.

"Is that a no, like, never? Or is that a no, like, not yet?" Minjeong followed.

"Uh..."

"Is your vocabulary reduced to 'uh' when answering questions?" Jimin chuckled and Minjeong scoffed.

"Not... yet... I suppose," I finally answered. "All these stuff of us getting involved in the Night Folk complicates things. Did Jimin tell you about it?"

"Some," Minjeong nodded slightly. "Though I understand if she keeps some things to herself, or to both of you." Minjeong rests her head on a stack of books at the table and whispers loud enough for the both of us to hear, "It's not exactly the first time this happened to me," Minjeong's voice dropped uncharacteristically soft and low. I'm used to her being this giddy and bouncy kid, now her sudden seriousness is as disarming as Sullyoon's airheadedness.

"You've experienced something similar, Minjeong?" Jimin leaned forward curiously.

Minjeong nodded without looking at both of us, her head still resting atop the books. Then she turns to look at me, her chin resting on top of the book stack, "Just... don't mess this up, Seren. You already did once," Minjeong whispered softly, but something in her voice — a thin, trembling line of old bitterness, subdued but clear in its aftertaste — told me this wasn’t a conversation I could dodge.

I dipped my head and closed my eyes. Jimin looked back and forth at both of us in confusion, "What are you talking about, Minjeong? Did you two both knew each other even before college?"

I nodded to Jimin, "I, uh... knew... Minjeong's sister. We were... close friends... once..." Jimin scrutinized my expression, she knows me enough and is insightful enough to know or at least deduce the things I keep hidden.  I saw the brief flicker of insecurity before she forced it down. 

"But I rarely saw Minjeong though, she was a bit of a shut in back in the day," I tried to chuckle, though it only came out as a choked cough. Minjeong had her eyes lowered, though her chin still rests on the books.

"And what was the thing you messed up? If it's okay to ask," Jimin asked tenderly.

I looked at Minjeong who kept her eyes lowered, her mouth now forming a slight pout. "I can't tell it, out of respect for Minjeong." It was a deflection, and a poor attempt at that — and Minjeong knew it by the way she huffed and gave a faint smile.

Jimin however, remained curious as she looked expectantly towards the girl.

Minjeong however, ignored Jimin's obvious curiosity. "We talked last night, you know. Saturdays are the only time they're allowed to communicate to the outside world." 

My chest tightened at the mention of her talking to Minjeong recently — the way it always did before I snuff the flame back into the dark. I perked my head, genuinely curious at what they talked about but also wary of Jimin's reaction.

"Is she..." Jimin started cautiously. My heart raced, is she going to ask if Minjeong's sister was my first love? And if I say yes, would she be angry? Jealous? Apathetic?

"Is she a trainee sorceress?" Jimin asked, and I felt a cold relief wash over my body. "I read somewhere that that was a part of sorceress training, didn't know they're still doing it."

Minjeong nodded melancholicaly, confirming Jimin's earlier question.

"So, your sister's a Night Lady..." Jimin whispered, and I can see the gears rolling in her head as she pieced most of the puzzle pieces together.

"What did you two talk about?" I asked before I could stop myself and against my better judgment, mostly because I was anxious of Jimin's current state while she listens to this.

Minjeong's eyes drooped as she turned lazily towards Jimin as if she's asking permission. Jimin nodded, "It's fine, Minjeong. As long as it's fine to the both of you, I'll just listen. Or if you want me out —"

"No," I said.

"Stay," Minjeong said at the same time.

"It's fine, Jimin," Minjeong sighed.

"As long as it's also okay with you," I asked anxiously.

"Of course," Jimin replied. "I'm curious but, I won't force any details out of the two of you."

Both Minjeong and I nodded. The younger girl then looked at me. "She asked about you. She heard of the attack here, at first she thought it was me, she knew it was supposed to be my shift that night. She sounded so frantic when she called," Minjeong released an airy laugh as she recalled the moment.

"Of course, you're her younger sister," Jimin commented quietly, earning a faint smile from Minjeong.

"Then I told her that I asked the both of you to cover for us because Yizhuo got sick that night, and —"

"— she exploded like fire?" I asked.

Minjeong huffed and smirked, "It felt like the phone itself was burning," she then turned towards Jimin, "she's a pyro-sorceress after all."

Jimin's mouth formed an O as she nodded. "She scolded me," Minjeong's fingers traced the spine of the book she's resting her chin on, "told me I should have looked for someone else. I told her I knew and trusted no one else but Jimin and you, but she won't hear it."

"How did you calm her down?" I asked.

"I told her you're okay for like... a thousand times, but it was only when I said that I felt the phone heating up that she actually calmed down."

"She must be powerful, to influence a device thousands of miles away with her power," Jimin murmured. "And she still cares about you, both of you." 

She reached again for my thigh below the table and gave it a light squeeze. I understood what she was trying to say — Minjeong's sister still cares about me.

A few moments of silence passed, not heavy, not tense, but not comfortable either. "How is she?" I managed. I felt Jimin's hand twitch in my thigh, so soft it was almost imperceptible if I wasn't paying attention.

"She's fine... a model student, her words, not mine," Minjeong replied with a suppressed laughter. "Her temper tantrums, her rants, the things she keep bottled up, things she wanted to say without fear of any consequences," Minjeong pursed her lips then gave a soft smile, "those words were reserved only for you."

Another twitch in Jimin's hand, more perceptible this time. "You both seemed... really close," she whispered then hesitated. "Did the both of you...?"

"Dated?" Minjeong asked. "I also want to know."

"You didn't know if they were?" Jimin asked in quiet surprise.

"No. I know they're good friends, seen him walk my sister home a couple of times from school. No intimate contact though, or any signs they were dating," Minjeong replied. 

I recalled those days, they were innocent enough, as was common when things like this start. And we were young, confused and awkward at what we were feeling, which was why either of us were probably too cowardly of actually acknowledging what we were feeling until it was too late.

"No, we were... just friends." I replied with a deep sigh.

Jimin nodded, and I hoped that she didn't hear the smidge of regret in my voice. She's knows what that feels like — because it is what both of us are right now. Charged moments, the faint brush of skin against skin sending sparks to our brain and setting fire to our hearts, all that stuff. The circumstances may be different, — but the feeling, the rush of ecstacy, the desire for more, the barely restrained urge to take matters in our own hands, the temptation to say fuck unwritten rules and expectations, and the sting of surrender after the realization that limits and boundaries do exist and that we have no choice but to be powerless against it, those things feel the same — and one never gets used to it, even if it is the second time around.

"How did her power manifest?" Jimin asked softly, her hand never leaving my thigh.

Minjeong turned her head towards me, "She was with you when it did. That's all I know and that's all I was told."

I managed a faint smile, "It was her 15th birthday —"

Minjeong huffed in recollection and realization, "That burned cake. I thought it was weird that she kept laughing when she brought home a cake almost as black as night."

I nodded, nostalgia flooding my mind, making my chest tighten, "I bought that cake for her, worked for it for a month assisting my grandmother with odd chores which she agreed she'll pay me if I do them for her. Then, I was struggling with the matches, she got impatient —"

"Typical —" Minjeong snorted and I managed a faint chuckle in reply. Jimin stares at us, one side of her lips curved gently as she listens intently.

"Anyway, I burned through half a box of matches and was still unable to light the candles. Her short fuse burned out, she took the matchbox from my hands in impatience, and successfully lit one — along with the cake and the rest of the matchbox."

Jimin and Minjeong laughed faintly. "Then, next thing I knew," I continued, "she was being taken by the Night Ladies a week after that night. Said they tracked her after they sensed her manifest her power — and took her to train her — just like that," I said, snapping my fingers which echoed loudly in the bright but empty halls.

Another heavy silence, the wide, empty halls made me feel small, insignificant, and unworthy.

"You miss her," Jimin said, and it was not a question.

I sighed deeply, "Perhaps..."

"Don't deny it for me," Jimin retorted sternly but tenderly. "You both were separated without any closure, Minjeong is different, they get to talk at least every Saturday, when was the last time you saw her?"

"The day before she was taken."

"And when was the last time you spoke to her?"

"Also the day before she was taken."

Minjeong's eyes widened as she raised her head from the book stack, "I thought both of you were talking every now and then," she exclaimed in surprise.

I faced Minjeong with a look of longing before shaking my head. "I guess it would be too awkward if we did — or we missed the chance or the timing to — either way, I have not seen her nor talked to her since —" my voice drifted away as Minjeong slowly lowered her head to rest her chin back at the stacks.

"That's what I'm saying," Jimin now brought both hands to my thighs as she leaned closer. "You both were cut off in a snap of a finger. That kind of loss burns — and that flame needs to be snuffed out — by both of you."

"Or rekindled —" Minjeong muttered. She probably was oblivious at the effect those words had at both Jimin and I. It planted seeds — seeds I didn't want to sow — seeds I'd rather burn — for those seeds are possibilities — and those possibilities will grow into thorns more than they'll blossom into flowers.

It was a heavy silence that followed, uncomfortable, hot — begging for release.

Jimin suddenly stood slowly, her eyes low and staring at the floor, "I... uh... I'll take a look at the sorceress aisle — see if I can learn more about them and about pyro-sorcery," she said, stuttering as I watched her slowly walk away, her steps hesitant and seemingly unsure where to go despite the three years that we've worked in this halls.

When she disappeared, I turned to face Minjeong who looked at me. Her eyes judged me like I'm doing something stupid.

"What?" I shrugged.

"I told you not to mess this up, right?" She sighed, frustration clear in her voice.

"Yeah. I heard you —"

"Then go after her, dimwit!" Minjeong struggled to keep her voice steady. She raised her head with a look of pure frustration at my apparently slow uptake and gestured towards the direction Jimin took.

My eyes widened as realization dawned on my face. I stood urgently, bumping into chairs and bookshelves as I rushed to follow and search for Jimin in the maze that are the Archives' book aisles.

I was glad for the Archives' illumination as it made making my way through as well as identifying the aisles I pass through easier. I made my way to the Night Ladies' section, then to the sorceress' sub-section. I wove through the shelves, searching for Jimin — until I found her. 

She was indeed at pyro-sorcery portion of the section. She seemed oblivious of my approach as she tiptoed, trying to reach a book, her fingers tracing the bottom of it's spine.

Instead of reaching it for her though, I wrapped my arms around her waist, making her breath hitch in surprise. She lowered her hands and held mine as I nuzzled my head at the back of hers.

"Are you alright?" I whispered softly.

"Now I am," she whispered back.

"So you weren't," I said, giving the back of her head a quick kiss.

Jimin sighed, "Would you? If I was talking about my first love the way you and Minjeong were talking about her sister, would you be alright?" Her voice was gentle and soft with a tinge of bitterness that she obviously suprresses.

"I'm sorry..." I whispered, lowering my head towards her neck.

"You didn't exactly start that conversation," Jimin replied with a light huff.

I gave the soft flesh of her neck a soft kiss, making Jimin's breath hitch, "It felt like a conversation I couldn't escape."

"I know. Somehow, I felt the same..." Jimin turned her head and faced me eye-to-eye, "it felt like a conversation I must hear to — get to know you better."

"I'm always grateful for your understanding heart," I leaned in for a quick kiss.

"You should be..." Jimin moaned and turned in my arms, facing me and wrapping her arms around my neck. "And don't think I'm threatened by your first love who's thousands of miles away from Verrath," she whispered in my ear as she pulled me closer.

I gave a quiet chuckle, "Oh, you definitely feel threatened," I teased.

"And what are you gonna do about it?" Jimin teased back, her eyes daring me to take this a step further. Being caught here would risk both our futures in the college and possibly the life beyond. But her eyes — deep, inviting, and burning, urges me to brave the flames. And like a moth, I dive in to her lips, only to be met by her sweet and soft tongue.

I pushed her against the shelves, earning a soft grunt that was immediately drowned by softer moans. One of Jimin's arms remained wrapped around my neck while the other grasps the fabric of my hoodie on top of my chest. She was pushing me off but also pulling me down.

My left hand that was holding her waist rose slowly, trailing the knitted sweater until I felt the swell of her breast in my hands. Jimin gave a muffled whimper as I squeezed softly. "Typical," she said, somewhere between a giggle and a moan.

"Can you blame me?" I quipped, slowly planting wet kisses down her jaw.

"Guess it's my fault, huh."

"It definitely is," I gave her breast continuous soft squeezes, making her hips grind against mine. She lifts one of her legs and wraps them around my waist.

Slowly, my other hand inches lower, tracing the back of her spine until I felt the hem of her skirt. I moved lower, grabbing and squeezing a butt cheek before lifting her skirt up and feeling her panties underneath.

Jimin's breath hitched as I rubbed her wetness over the fabric, "You're naughty, Yoo Jimin," I whispered in her ear.

"Why did you have to look so good, today?" Jimin drawled, her hips grinding against my touch.

"I'm wearing the drabbiest outfit ever," I retorted, "I dressed like a homeless guy," I snorted.

"And yet you pulled it off so... hnnnggh... so good...."

At that point I didn't know what she was referring to, whether I look good or whether she feels good. Her hand on my chest wrapped around my waist, slowly pulling me closer as she searches for more friction. I can feel my finger being drenched as I kept rubbing her panties.

"Shit — Seren," Jimin gasped.

"You close?"

"Uh-huh," Jimin nodded desperately, making me press my fingers harder down her underwear.

Jimin gasped then suddenly, she bit my shoulder, making me hiss with the pain. Her body stiffened and she muffled the scream that should have been ripped off her throat as she bit on my shoulder hard. She lowered the leg that was wrapped around me as her body twitched while she rode her high, my hand resting on one of her cheeks, slowly massaging it to help her ease into it.

Then — another muffled gasp — but this time not from Jimin. I turned and saw Ning Yizhuo standing by the corner of an aisle, half of her body covered by a shelf, one of her hands swiftly covered her mouth. I immediately let go of Jimin who with a surprised yelp, turned around and ran her hands on the spines of the books of the shelf behind her.

Yeah — very slick of us, though I know Yizhuo already caught us in the act. "Yizhuo!" I exclaimed. "We were just... uh..." I felt stupid, I know we were caught, yet I kept making excuses.

"Uhmm..." Yizhuo stuttered, she looked flushed red, her face a mix of awkward embarrassment and something else I can't quite place. She lowered her eyes to the floor then raised them towards me — and they seemed to be filled with something familiar — like I've seen those eyes before. Then I remembered — those were the same eyes Sullyoon had yesterday when Yuna made her watch while we had sex. Those were the eyes of soft arousal. Then her hand glistened, pulling my attention towards it — were they... wet?

Yizhuo slowly put her hand covering her mouth down to her side where she clenched it tightly, "Uhmmm... the huntresses are here," Yizhuo whispered, barely enough for Jimin and I to hear. "They told me to come get both of you."

"Oh. Is that so..." Jimin's voice was shaking, clearly still trying to clear her head from her climax. "We'll be there. Thanks, Yizhuo."

Jimin, who was trying to steady her breathing, made her way awkwardly past Yizhuo. I then made my way towards the younger girl, "Uh... thanks... and... sorry? I guess." I reached for her hand and electricity seemed to spark as our hands made contact for a split second. She flinched and withdrew her hand behind her back, but that split second of contact was enough for me to confirm — her hand was wet. Now my next question— how long was she standing there? I never got to ask her as the girl awkwardly bowed, "It's nothing... and, uh... I didn't see anything... and I'll... get back to reception..." Yizhuo turned and walked quickly back towards the front of the Archives.

Damn it — I thought. Once our discussion with the werebeasts is over and I have to join Yizhuo by the reception — this is going to be one long and awkward shift.

I walked back towards our table to find it crowded. Jimin sat at one end of the table. She was flanked by Minjeong to her right who eyed across the other end of the table where Hwang Yeji sat in a black leather jacket, skirt, and heels — if not for the skirt, she dressed almost exactly the same as Seulgi when she first went in the Archives. Minjeong however, was pouting at the blonde crown Yeji now sported.

"You dyed your hair blonde," Minjeong murmured in disappointment, her chin still resting on the same stack of books, her mouth puckered in a disappointed but adorable pout.

Yeji consciously patted her scalp, "Uh, yeah. Figured it was time for a change." She spoke hesitantly, as if afraid Minjeong might burst into tears because of her now not orange hair.

"Shame. You looked cute in orange," Minjeong whined cutely.

To Yeji's left, Ryujin giggled, "Shouldn't have gotten rid of the orange head, Yeji," she teased. The huntress wore a knitted sweater with a few tears in the shoulders and forearms, it should look drab, but she pulled it off with her usual tomboyish charm. She wore track shorts that reached halfway down her thighs while her bare legs were draped on the chair next to her as she lounged lazily upon hers.

Yeji shot her a pointed look which only served to make Ryujin grin wider. 

"Stop bickering, you two," Chaeryoung grumbles on Yeji's right. She wore a white unbuttoned cardigan, revealing the tube top beneath, in her hands was a book entitled "What the faes says."

"Yeji was cute with orange hair," Jimin added to the teasing, Minjeong nodding slowly in agreement beside her.

"Don't, start, Yu Jimin," Yeji growled.

Jimin shrugged sarcastically.

Chaeryoung was about to butt in but I was a split second faster.

"Peaceful morning," I greeted sarcastically as I sat to Jimin's left.

"It's great!" Ryujin replied, "Yeji's getting teased and you and Jimin smell like each other." Ryujin leaned in across the table, "Had a little escapade in the aisles?" She whispered teasingly, and I felt our side of the table blush.

"Shin Ryujin," Chaeryoung admonished. 

"If you're jealous then sneak in his room again," Yeji added.

"Can we get on track on why we're here?" I said sternly, trying to hide the embarrassment.

Ryujin chuckled and leaned back on her chair. I scanned the table, Yeji was looking at me, her face a mask of professionalism although something seemed to simmer beneath. Chaeryoung had a slight blush as she closed her book and set them on the table. Minjeong had her gaze lowered, her cheeks flushed as her chin rested on top of her book stack. And Jimin, like Yeji, was looking at me, her face expectant but otherwise neutral.

"So," Yeji began, tilting her head. "Where do we start?"

"Which do we prioritize first, Yuna, or me?" I replied.

"Wait," Minjeong perked up, "what's this thing with Yuna?"

"Does she need to be here?" Ryujin asked. "We may be pulling her in this unnecessarily."

"She's already in this," Chaeryoung answered. "She was there when Yuna and Sullyoon first approached us. For better or worse, they have Minjeong marked."

"Marked?" Minjeong's voice raised in anxiety, her gaze going from the werebeasts to Jimin and I. "What do they mean?"

I sighed wearily before answering, "Yuna's a fae, making Sullyoon also highly likely to be one."

Minjeong's mouth dropped. "What? How?"

"Joohyun confirmed it last night when she dropped by my apartment after Yuna's interview with me."

"Joohyun? That otherwordly beautiful transfer student?"

"Yep," Jimin replied.

"She's a Higher Vampire," Ryujin stated.

"The Pale Princess," Chaeryoung added.

"The Heir of the Verrathi Coven," Yeji finished, the mention of Joohyun's titles made Minjeong's jaws drop lower than I thought is possible.

Minjeong's slowly turned her head to stare at me, "Are you okay?"

"Yep. Apparently I'm resistant to faerie dust."

"Resistant—?"

"Faerie dust has no effect on Seren," Jimin responded. "So is vampiric charm."

Minjeong slumped in her seat, a look of bewildered amazement in her face. "What... are you?"

I chuckled, "I've been asking that myself for the past week."

"We've been asking that for the past week," Jimin murmured.

"But... that ability... it is something we humans would crave to have," Minjeong muttered, her previous bewilderment now replaced with pure amazement.

"And it is something the Night Folk would kill to learn more about," Yeji finished, dropping the temperature by a few degrees.

"Jolly, aren't we, Yeji?" Ryujin teased.

"It's true, though," Chaeryoung replied, "so far we don't have to worry about the Verrathi coven, the Pale Princess has that covered –"

"On the fae side, however," Yeji said.

"We need to find out whether Yuna serves Orion or Oberon," Chaeryoung finished.

"I'm fine with anyone, so long as I get to fight," Ryujin said with a grim grin on her face.

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Jimin said in concern.

"It already has, right in this very halls," Ryujin spread her arms wide, gesturing to the bright and empty halls of the Archives. "Or have you forgotten that it was us who were there?"

"How could we forget?" I replied sarcastically.

"Which means, fights will be inevitable from now on," Ryujin grinned wickedly.

"Don't scare them, Ryujin," Chaeryoung once again admonished Ryujin.

"What? Sooner they know the truth, the better they get prepared for it."

"I agree with Ryujin, Chaeryoung," Yeji said. "And apparently, so does Seulgi."

The mention of the detective made me and Jimin perk up, "Does she have a plan?" We said simultaneously.

"Several," Yeji replied. "Which do you want to hear first?"

"Yuna's" Jimin answered before I could. "She seemed more of an immediate threat than finding out what you are," she said when I turned to look at her. After a moment's consideration, I nodded.

Yeji then leaned back on her seat, "Well, about that, Seulgi said to move forward with the second interview."

"What?" I asked in shock. "We're not —"

"Exposing her? Taking her out in the open?" Yeji finished my thoughts for me while Jimin laid a hand on my arm to calm me down.

"Tell me, Seren, what would doing those achieve?" Yeji asked.

"Well, it would stop them from interviewing me or other people and Verrath would know that there are Night Folk in its college —"

Yeji then scoffed, "The Royal House of Verrath knows there are Night Folk in the college, they're not stupid, Seren. As long as nothing public happens, they're content to watch —"

"But—!"

"If they act on it, it may lead to conflict, Seren," Chaeryoung interrupted me. "The other Night Races know this, as long as they don't stir up trouble and attract attention, they can do what they want. But make no mistake, they know that there are Night Folk in the college."

"They may already know that Joohyun, who we all know as the heiress of the Verrathi Coven, goes to the college, though I can't say if they know of her intentions," Ryujin added.

I settled down on my seat, what they said made sense, the Royal House has power, capability, and authority to do those after all. "I'm sorry. I guess I was... thinking short sightedly."

Yeji smiled softly, "That's understandable, you're not trained to think the way we do."

Jimin looked at me with a look of pride in her face before turning towards Yeji, "So, the plan?"

"Well, like I said, Seulgi wants you to do the second interview... but this time, they're going to entrap Yuna."

"Entrap?" Jimin asked.

"They?" I followed, "you're not involved."

Yeji sighed before answering. "No, as much as I want to be. This is going to be a joint op..." she hesitated, "between Seulgi and Joohyun."

"Now that's quite a team," Ryujin commented, making Yeji smirk.

"They just talked this morning, Seulgi didn't spare me the details but she wants you to tell us when and where the next interview is taking place —"

"Why is Joohyun involved in this?" Jimin asked.

"Well," Yeji began. "She apparently sees both of you as dear friends, not curiosities anymore. And that interview Yuna had with you," Yeji turned towards me, "she took that personally."

Shivers ran down my spine, I was thankful that Jimin and I have a friend that high in the Verrathi coven, but I shiver at the thought of what a two thousand year old vampire princess's wrath would look like. Good thing she made me do that Blood Oath — I thought.

"What do they plan to do once the interview starts?" I asked.

"Try to squeeze as much information from Yuna and Sullyoon probably. After that... I have no idea," Yeji replied.

"Will they," Minjeong started with a voice so small it made me jump. "Will they kill them?" She asked, fear creeping from her voice.

"They probably won't —" Yeji answered.

"Shame," Ryujin commented and Minjeong shot her a look of worry and anxiety

"Shin Ryujin," Chaeryoung reprimanded. Ryujin just shrugged and I shot Chaeryoung a sympathetic look.

"Anyway," Yeji said, "to answer Minjeong's question; Yuna and Sullyoon are more useful alive than dead."

Minjeong breathed a sigh of relief and I reached a hand to squeeze her arm. She tensed for half a heartbeat before relaxing and giving me a thankful glance.

"So, to recap, I tell Yuna to schedule the second interview then tell Seulgi and Joohyun the when and the where and they'll take it from there?" I asked.

Yeji shrugged, "More or less for now. They'll probably tell you more than they'll tell me once their plans are complete."

"But the priority is getting information?"

"Now you're getting it," Yeji replied with a look of proud satisfaction.

I nodded as I thought of possible scenarios. How much would Yuna say willingly and how much would she say if we take her under duress? I'll have to trust Joohyun and Seulgi's judgment and so far, they have never been wrong. The only thing left to do is to talk to Yuna or Sullyoon and hope they never suspect anything.

"So, what's next?" Ryujin said, stretching languidly as if she's getting bored.

"Seulgi's plan on figuring out what Seren is," Chaeryoung looked at Yeji.

Jimin, Minjeong, and I stared at Yeji expectantly.

"Well, I'll say the most important part of how Seulgi came up with this plan because Minjeong does not know this and I don't want a lot of questions while I speak," Yeji said, making Minjeong dip her head and pout.

"This plan hinges on you being adopted by the sage Allindra Vale, Seren," Yeji continued and Minjeong's head perked. The girl looked at me and caught herself as she was about to ask a question when Yeji gave her a pointed look.

My grandmother again, figures. There was no record of my parents, so the most logical thing to track would be my grandmother. But she passed for years already, how are we going to take information from her?

Minjeong settled down on her seat before Yeji continued, "Seulgi figured, that if we want to ask about a seer, we should ask another seer."

"But is there another seer here in Verrath?" Jimin asked.

"As it happens, there is one, yet we don't know if we're lucky or not because of it," Yeji replied.

"How so?" Jimin followed.

"Well, the only seer within a hundred miles of Verrath..." she paused, which I figured wasn't for dramatic effect, "is controlled by Verrathi's Choir."

My companions widened their eyes in a mix of surprise and, in Ryujin's case, excitement. Me, on the other hand, was as always, clueless.

"Choir? Verrath has a choir?" I asked dumbly.

Yeji sighed in exasperation, Ryujin chortled loudly, while Chaeryoung gave a faint smile. Jimin however, rolled her eyes at me.

"The Choir of Sirens, Seren," Jimin said, "Yeji is saying that the seer we need, and the only seer that is close enough, is controlled by the siren cove of Verrath."

I sighed wearily as I slumped on my seat, "I expected it to be hard, but not this hard."

"How are we going to contact the Choir?" Jimin muttered, "they're known to be picky of who they interact with."

"Well, Seulgi also has a plan for that," Yeji answered.

"Let's hear it then," Ryujin said excitedly.

"The Choir has... bureaus, all over the city. One of them is right at the College of Verrath."

"What?" Minjeong and I exclaimed.

Yeji rolled her eyes, "Did you honestly think they don't have a presence in the college after what I said earlier?"

"Well," I shrugged, feeling stupid about myself.

"So, where is this bureau at the College?" Jimin asked, her calmness surprising me.

"The college's choir of course, and their band. Sirens tend to gather around people who excel musically," Yeji replied.

Jimin nodded in agreement. "Then the next question is, how do we infiltrate the college's choir?"

"Can any one of you sing? Or maybe play an instrument?" Yeji asked. "We can carry a note, but, we're not exceptional vocalists, well, not as exceptional as the sirens' standards."

"I think I'm about the same," Jimin pondered. "I can sing, but, I don't know if it's up to siren standards.'

Then something clicked in my head, something Sullyoon said yesterday — and I turned to Minjeong. "Didn't the choir scouted you?" I asked, pointing a finger toward the girl as the eyes of the whole table turned towards her.

Minjeong immediately backed up, the chair scraping the tiles of the floor as blood flushed her cheeks. "What? How did you—?"

"I remembered Sullyoon mentioning it yesterday," I replied.

Jimin reached out a hand to calm her down, "Is it true, Minjeong?" She asked softly.

Minjeong nodded shyly. "Partly, it's Yizhuo and I actually. We sang during our freshmen year initiation, well I also played the guitar. Then... members of the campus band approached me while the choir approached Yizhuo trying to recruit us. We both refused, stating that we won't have much time because we're also part timing in the Archives. They said the offer still stands if we want to take it."

I made eye contact with the huntresses, our eyes bright with ideas and possibilities when a sharp voice cuts through our unspoken conversation.

"No," Jimin said. "We're not going to endanger Minjeong. We've already pulled her in unnecessarily. The fae know her, we don't need another Night Race to set their eyes on her," her voice was urgent and pleading.

"No, Jimin," Minjeong said before any of us can respond. "I... I want to think about it."

"Kim Minjeong," Jimin turned with a look of sisterly concern towards her.

"It's fine. I... I want to help. Just, I'm not yet sure if I want to help this much," Minjeong lowered her gaze and bit her lower lip but her shoulders remain tensed.

"We won't force you into this, Minjeong," Chaeryoung said calmly. "There are risks involved, and it would be dangerous. The sirens can be..."

"Vindictive, unforgiving," Ryujin offered.

"I know," Minjeong closed her eyes. "That's why I'm asking for time to think about this."

Jimin and I turned to Yeji who closed her eyes then nodded. "Fine, for now, Minjeong is our Plan A. We'll keep thinking for a Plan B in case she declines."

Jimin exhaled and turned back towards Minjeong who gave her a reassuring look. "I'll tell Seren once I reach a decision, is that fine?" Minjeong said with a look of determination I have never seen from the girl before. And I felt proud in a way, she has rarely stepped up before, and now she just did. Her sister would be proud — I wanted to say, but I held my tongue because of Jimin's presence.

"Okay," Yeji responded. "Now for the last thing Seulgi told me to relay to you."

Our attentions went back to Yeji. I breathed a sigh of relief once I saw Minjeong relax her shoulders.

"Seulgi and Joohyun were talking of training you, Seren. In combat."

It took a whole twelve seconds for me to process those last two words.

"Come again?" 

"Traning, dummy," Ryujin replied with a wicked grin that sent shivers down my arms. "We're training you how to fight."

"Wait — what? Why? Is this —" Jimin stuttered, her gaze fluttering between me and Yeji.

"Necessary," Yeji said with finality. "Ryujin made it clear earlier, fights will be inevitable moving forward. If he wants to protect himself, he should train. But knowing you, Seren Vale," Yeji shot me a confident smirk. "You'll be accepting this for a not so different reason."

I smirked back, in the week that I've known Yeji, she seemed to know how I think better than I do. And right now, she's right, I'll be accepting this offer, but not just to protect myself because I'm tired of running and being scared, but because I want to protect the people I cherish like Jimin, and I don't want to feel useless during a fight.

"When do we start?" I asked, a little bit too arrogantly for my liking.

"Eager, are we?" Chaeryoung smiled.

"I'm going to beat the hell out of you, Vale," Ryujin grinned.

"You won't be training him, Ryujin, you're grossly underqualified," Chaeryoung quipped.

"Then who's more qualified?" Ryujin quipped back.

"Whoever the Triarchy deems," Chaeryoung answered.

"Besides, Seulgi still has to lobby this to the Triarchy. Nothing's final yet on the werebeast side," Yeji stated, much to Ryujin's disappointment.

"How about on the vampire side?" Jimin asked.

"He'll be trained by the Pale Princess's Death Dealers," Yeji replied.

"Oh shit," Ryujin exclaimed. "He'll be trained by one of the best assassin units around?!"

"I think it's pretty dope," I said.

"Yeah. If you survive," Ryujin quipped back.

"If he survives..." Yeji gave me another smirk, "then he'll be a match even for us."

My eyes widened at the thought. Matching the werebeasts blow per blow is only a dream for humans. But with the enhanced abilities I got from the women I slept with, I am confident I can take on this training.

"Now that would be a sight I want to see," Ryujin licked her lips.

"Anyway, these are all just plans yet, don't get too excited, Vale," Yeji joked.

"Can't I be? Even just a little?" I joked back, making the werebeasts laugh.

Jimin then took my hand on hers, "If they give you a hard time, tell me."

"Or you'll whip their asses for me?" I asked with a smile.

"That and more," Jimin teased back.

"Thank you," I said, tightening my grip on her hands.

"I understand that you need it," she replied before finally letting go.

"So, anything else?" Jimin asked.

"Nope, nothing else." Yeji replied, her shoulder and her expression finally relaxing.

"Then we'll get going," Jimin stood up, much to my surprise. "Joohyun and I are meeting, since she wasn't able to come to my apartment last night," she said to me with a playful grin.

"I'll walk out with you," Minjeong said as she stood up. Jimin nodded and took her hand.

"Well then, so will we," Yeji sighed before rising.

"We are?" Ryujin asked as Chaeryoung followed Yeji.

"Yep, we're currently not on guard duty, and we have other things to do."

"Like what?"

"Like following your superior officer," Chaeryoung replied.

Ryujin rolled her eyes as Minjeong stifled a cute chuckle.

"Fine, I'll walk you all out before I rejoin Yizhuo at reception," I sighed as I stood up and guided them towards the doors of the Archives.

The walk was relatively silent until I opened the doors for the group. 

"Good talk, Seren. We'll be in touch in case of any developments." Yeji said, smiling at me with a look of pride.

"I'll be looking forward to training you, Vale," Ryujin passed by me with a wicked grin.

"You're not training him, Shin Ryujin," Chaeryoung huff behind her who gave me a sympathetic look. "Bye, Seren," Chaeryoung said softly.

"Bye!" I waved as they walked outside the Archives building.

This left Jimin, Minjeong, and I at the doors.

"So, how are you feeling?" Jimin asked.

"Better, now that we have plans. At least we now have a... direction," I replied.

Jimin nodded then turned to Minjeong, "Remember —"

"I know, Jimin. You nag like my sister," Minjeong chuckled.

Jimin smiled back then turned towards me, "Well, we'll get going now, Seren."

I nodded as they started to walk outside the Archives building and waved them goodbye. Once they were out of sight, I closed the door and made my way to join Yizhuo at the reception desk. Training — I thought. That was the plan that excited me most, but that has to wait. After this shift, I'll have to contact Yuna or Sullyoon and tell them to schedule the second interview.

Relief washed over me. I love the fact that we have a plan of action. I hated the fact that I was mostly responsive about the previous events, but now, now we will act. 

The reception desk was silent if not for the Yizhuo typing at the computer, the clicking and clacking of the keys bouncing around the hollow halls.

I leaned on the desk as I studied her, oblivious of my presence as she typed away. She looked soft, really soft, her eyes, her cheeks, even her figure, stiff and rigid as it is from sitting down for hours, seemed soft, like you just want to lay your head on her or hug her. 

I can't help but smile at the look of seriousness she wears while she stares at the screen. It also got me curious as to what she's doing, "What are you typing away in there?" I asked as I leaned in.

"Oh!" Yizhuo jumped in her seat startled, nearly knocking down a pen rack. "I didn't notice you were there," the girl briefly made eye contact then dipped her head, a slight flush reddening her cheeks. 

"Are you okay?" I asked, walking around the desk to sit beside her.

"Yeah," she said in a small voice I barely heard. "Just..."

"Shy?"

She nodded her head meekly.

"You were a little bit more energetic a while ago."

"That was... because Minjeong was still here."

I nodded. It made sense, we tend to be a bit more comfortable with strangers when we are accompanied by someone we know. And Yizhuo and I aren't exactly strangers, we've met here and there, just, we never really interacted much.

"Anyway, what were you typing in the computer?" I asked.

"Oh," her head perked and her soft eyes lit up. Her eyes flew back to the keyboard and I saw in the screen were cameras scattered around the Archives. "I was renaming the camera screens. The ones who installed them just labeled them as Cameras 1, 2, 3, and so on. It gets confusing so, I named them by the location where they were installed, like this one..." she pointed at the screen which showed the reception area, our backs turned towards it. "It was named Camera 7 before I changed it to Reception."

I turned around and searched until I found a dome shaped thing attached to the ceiling, I gave it a small wave, Yizhuo giggling softly beside me as the monitor projected my actions.

"Good call," I beamed, and Yizhuo's ears turned red.

"Thank you," she replied in that same small voice. 

The atmosphere was embarrassingly awkward and I found myself guilty as we sat in silence. I know she caught Jimin and I redhanded during our "escapade" in the aisles as Ryujin called it. I felt I should apologize, but how? I considered asking Jimin but I can't just call her in the middle of the shift and ask "Hey, Yizhuo saw us earlier, how do you think I should breach the topic?" No, I'm a man, I'll deal with this like a man. And besides, I wouldn't want to disturb her meet up with Joohyun and risk the vampire heiress's wrath upon me. Blood Oath or no, she'll find a way to drain the life out of me. Wew, what a first shift with my new partner is becoming.

"So, uhm..." I began, trying to lighten up the awkwardness. "You're chinese, right? Like Professor Zhang?"

"Mhmm," she replied. "Professor Zhang's actually my uncle, or a distant relative," Yizhuo tilted her head, "I'm not really sure, blood ties can be confusing."

Good for you, I thought. And here I am, clueless as to what to tie my blood to. I don't even know if my blood can be tied to a human or if it is truly tied to incubi.

"That's fascinating," I replied. "Is he really, like, descended from Dragon Slayers like the rumors say?" I asked genuinely curious.

Yizhuo seemed to relax and lighten up as she perked up and smiled with sparkling eyes. "That's half true," she faced me, raising a finger to prove her point.

"Professor Zhang was indeed a descendant of dragon slayers but also, he was a part of an elite force of twelve warriors, combat mages, each specializing in a different kind of magic who hunted dangerous monsters across the world, some of them were dragons as well from what I heard of the stories," Yizhuo started enthusiastically, it seems she either enjoys talking about this, or she just enjoys talking in general.

"He's a mage?" I followed.

Yizhuo nodded with fervor, "He specialized in healing magic, and served as the combat medic of that elite force."

"Wow. How did he end up as a Professor of Night Folk History here though?" I asked. It seemed strange, from how Yizhuo was telling me this story, it seems like this unit Professor Zhang was in was pretty decorated, and he still seemed to be not too late in his prime, why was he teaching here in Verrath?

"Well," Yizhuo's voice dropped hesitantly, "from what I heard one of the twelve betrayed them, they fought, and after that, they went their seperate ways. I'm sorry, I don't really know the whole story."

"It's fine. I'm sure it's a painful story. I'd understand Professor Zhang for not talking about it."

Yizhuo nodded. She seemed disheartened, the mood shifting so quick it was disarming.

"Uhm... did you meet any of these warrior mages?" I asked, hoping it would once again lift her spirits.

Fortunately, it did. Yizhuo's face lit up again in excitement, making me smile at how quickly she changes moods like a kid.

"I did, the chinese ones. Master Lu, a telekenetic, and Master Huang, a chronokinetic."

"A chronokinetic? Seriously?!" I asked in surprise. "Mages who can control time are exceedingly rare."

"Exactly! Master Huang was such a gentle and playful soul! You'll never guess he is a chronokinetic mage who is also trained in martial arts!"

"Sounds like quite a guy," I commented.

"From what I heard, they were all quite something," Yizhuo said quietly, pride brimming in her voice.

"Shame they were betrayed. Do you know why?" I asked.

Yizhuo shook her head, "Greed, envy, pride, a mix of it all. There's a lot of versions. When asked, Professor Zhang would smile faintly, like he remembers a lost friend, then he would answer that they were young at the time. Too ambitious and easily swayed. It seems like he... understands why that member betrayed them, and it hurts him for it."

"A betrayal you understand," I muttered. It may be a different case, but it felt like what Yuna and Sullyoon did. They weren't friends and I didn't particularly trusted them, we even had our suspicions that turned out to be well founded. But knowing now that they were fae, feels like a betrayal as well. Not a betrayal of trust, but a betrayal of hope. I hoped they were human, I hoped they were truly just interviewing me for the sake of their "project", I hoped we could have been friends.

"How powerful is Professor Zhang?" I asked, hoping to change the topic and once again lighten the atmosphere.

"From what I heard," Yizhuo started, "unless the head has been severed from the body, he can pretty much heal anyone if given enough time."

"Wait what? He's that powerful a healer?"

Yizhuo nodded. "I've seen him regrow severed fingers with ease. Accounts also say he can regrow entire limbs in seconds. There was also a legend that said that he was able to regrow one of his teammate's hearts when it got ripped off his chest by a varghoul," she replied nonchalantly.

My jaw dropped lower with every feat Yizhuo listed. Why the hell was Professor Zhang teaching if he is this freaking powerful? Regrowing limbs could place a mage in the upper echelons of healing magic, but regrowing organs?! This man is on a league of his own. He can serve as a high ranking medical mage anywhere with that kind of power. And this team he was in, what kind of unit was it if they had a chronokinetic and a medic who can regrow organs in it? The other members would have been crazy powerful that it makes sense that only a betrayal would tear them apart and cause their downfall.

"I've seen that look before," Yizhuo teased. "Seen it on Minjeong when I told her this story. You're wondering why a medical mage of his calibre is teaching in Verrath."

"Can you blame me?"

"No, I often ask that myself. But it was also because he was teaching here that I got an easier time to be accepted in the College."

I tilted my head and Yizhuo immediately answered the question that she can read from my expression.

"My scores were average on the entrance test but I was unfortunately cut off due to 'student quota', whatever that means. Professor Zhang vouched for me, and the school said they'll accept me if I work part time at the Archives, so, here I am," Yizhuo finished, her arms outstretched on her sides as if presenting herself, and with a smile so soft it made my mouth curve upward and my heart melt with warmth.

"That's great," I remarked.

"I know, right!" Yizhuo exclaimed. "If not for him, I would have to stay at China. I wouldn't have met Minjeong. I wouldn't have met all of you. I wouldn't have met..." then she caught herself, like she was about to say something she didn't want to say.

"Met who, Yizhuo? If I may ask," I asked gently, and the girl blushed softly. I have a hunch on who she was about to say, but I don't know if it is a good thing or a bad thing.

"It's fine if you don't want to answer. I'm sorry if I was pushy —"

"— I wouldn't have met you." Yizhuo whispered softly, barely audibly.

"Pardon?" I asked. I heard what she said, I just, wanted to be sure that I heard her right.

Yizhuo whipped her head towards me, "I, uh..." she stuttered.

"Its's fine, you don't have to," I said, awkwardly trying to avoid her gaze.

An awkward silence falls, not heavy, but begging for attention — like a whisper behind your head. Yizhuo kept on typing at the keyboard while I stared blankly at the Archives doors, both hoping and not hoping that someone comes in and break this blanket of tension.

After a few minutes of stiff silence, Yizhuo stops typing. I risked a glance and saw the girl's hands clenched into fists, her hair covering her face.

"I've started to admire you, Seren...." Yizhuo whispered softly.

I stayed quiet, unsure on how or what to reply.

"When I saw how you protected Jimin during the Archives attack, I... I thought you were so brave. The only one I saw as brave as you is probably Professor Zhang." Her voice remained soft and low yet I can feel the genuiness and sincerity in her tone.

"That's a comparison I'm unworthy of receiving," I admitted, though my heart swelled at the compliment. Being compared to someone who now seems too noble and too powerful made me wish that I could be both. In time perhaps, but not right now, right now, I need to figure out what I am while surviving with Wild Hunt after me.

"Thanks... for the admiration," I said and Yizhuo returned it with a soft smile from both her lips and her eyes.

"And also... uhm... sorry... for what you saw on the aisles." I muttered in embarrassment as I broached what happened in the aisles — when Yizhuo saw Jimin and I in a rather — compromising — position. Might as well address it sooner rather than later, I thought. That didn't make it any less embarrassing when Yizhuo blushed like blood was pumped in her face.

"I... uh..." Yizhuo fidgeted with her hands.

"I get it. You can stop admiring me because of that, if you like," I quipped with a hint of guilt and a sprinkle of shame.

"No, it's... uhmmm... I get it. You're both dating, and..."

"We're not dating," my mouth blurted out before my brain can stop it.

Yizhuo's mouth closed and her lips pursed. Her eyes blinked rapidly as she tried to process what I just said. "You're not?" She asked tentatively.

I shook my head.

"Well," she responded awkwardly, fanning her face with her hands as the temperature in the empty halls suddenly rose spontaneouly with the reddening of Yizhuo's neck. "Well, you're both consenting adults and... you're both..... attractive...... and....... and....... and I have to take a quick break," Yizhuo stuttered and hurriedly took off.

I watched her disappear along the aisles of bookshelves. Great, Seren Vale — your partner now thinks you are a creepy pervert, great way to start your first shift together — I thought as I slammed a palm on my forehead.

A couple of questions squirmed in my brain; should I go after her? Should I wait? If I go after her, what if someone comes in? Well, when in doubt — toss a coin.

I fished a coin out of my pocket and twirled it five times in my hand. Heads — I go after her. Tails — I'll wait for her to come back. I flicked the coin, watched it spin in the air for what seemed like my entire lifetime, then watched it land on the table with finality. It showed the image of Arthur Jang, Verrath's current king — heads.

I closed my eyes and sighed. I moved towards the computers and scanned the aisles, hoping to track Yizhuo's movements. Monitors were flipped one after the other until I spotted movement. Good thing Yizhuo renamed the camera screens, or else I wouldn't have been able to recognize which part of the Archives she retreated to. When I looked at the label, I felt a weight press my chest — "The Night Ladies" section. She went to the aisles where she spotted Jimin and I.

I then rummaged through the desk drawer and pulled out two objects. A PA button and a sign that read "Press button if you require assistance". These things were used only if the Archives staff were busy, it makes us know that there is a queue at the reception desk that needs attention. I don't like using it this way, but, I need to. I placed the objects by the reception counter and immediately rushed towards the aisles where Ning Yizhuo has ran off to.

I rushed past the main Night Lady section before making my way towards the Sorceress section of the aisles. I rounded the corner and what met me took my breath away. Ning Yizhuo leaned with her eyes closed against a shelf – the same shelf Jimin and I leaned against — her hand was inside her shorts, rubbing it as she moaned softly while her lip bit a finger of her other hand. The sight was errotic, Ning Yizhuo, with all her softness, was squirming as she touched herself.

The cold halls suddenly became hot. "Ning Yizhuo," I muttered loud enough for her to hear.

Her eyes fluttered open, her hands retreated towards her back as she stood crookedly, trying to lean against the shelf. "Seren," she exclaimed, her face red with both embarrassment and arousal, "I never thought you'd follow me..."

"You touched yourself earlier as well, when you caught Jimin and I here," I said.

Yizhuo bit her lip and nodded. "I can't... help it. You both looked hot... you looked hot..."

I never saw myself as particularly attractive, I was never even famous for my looks or anything. So I find it really difficult to wrap my head on what Yizhuo was saying.

"I always thought you were... okay... not drop dead handsome... but, not bad as well," Yizhuo stuttered and I didn't know whether to be flattered or offended. "It's just that... today... today you look... especially gorgeous..." Yizhuo said, almost melting where she stood.

Gorgeous? Now that's overstretching it. It seemed like the girl was on some kind of spell, like she was drugged by me or — then something clicked — drugged. I was nearly drugged yesterday, by a fae ability — Yuna's ability — who I had sex with. The theory of my incubus lineage looped back in my head and the rare ability to assimilate abilities from Night Folk I get intimate with. 

I replicated Chaeryoung's speed when I was running late earlier, did I also take Yuna's seductive charm? Is this why Ning Yizhuo is reacting like this?

I must have been distracted by my thoughts that I didn't notice Yizhuo had already walked in front of me. She grabbed me by my hoodie's colar and pinned me against the opposite shelf.

"Yizhuo, what are you—?" I asked in surprise.

"I don't know," Yizhuo answered. "I can't explain. I feel... drawn... towards you, Seren."

"This isn't you," I pushed back as she pushed her hands tighter against my wrists. "Relax," I whispered.

Yizhuo breathed heavily and pressed her forehead on my chest. Shit — how do I control this ability. I cursed Yuna, though I know she doesn't deserve it, this is just bad timing that her ability that I took suddenly activated.

I felt Yizhuo relax her grip on my wrists. I placed one hand on her waist, completely forgetting that she had a crop top on. I felt my hand touch soft but hot flesh, I recoiled and immediately raised it higher towards her clothed back, enveloping her in a loose but awkward embrace.

"Better?" I asked.

"No," she whispered. "I... suddenly got aroused... again... when you opened that topic up."

"I know. I'm sorry." I replied, stroking her back to calm her down.

"You don't have to. It was me who showed you this shameful side of me."

"It's fine, Yizhuo. It was... out of your control," I replied. I can't just tell her she was affected by an ability I can't control.

Yizhuo remained silent for a few heartbeats. Then, with that soft voice I now know I won't be able to refuse, she asked, "Can I... hug you, Seren?"

I nodded after a moment's consideration. I felt her hands wrap around my lower torso, reluctantly, I wrapped mine around her shoulders.

"Better?" I asked again.

She nodded on my chest.

"Should we go back to reception?"

She shook her head.

Then — "Do you want to, Seren?" Yizhuo asked, her voice so small and muffled that I barely heard it.

"Want what?" I know what she's asking, so I don't know why I'm still asking.

She raised her head and met her eyes to mine. "Me," she replied.

"Yizhuo, I —"

"You're not dating Jimin," Yizhuo interjected. "And I said I admire you, and I... I... I... I want you, Seren."

I don't know if she's still influenced by the ability, but her breathing was relaxed and her eyes were pleading but steady compared to her earlier sudden erraticness. The ability must have either deactivated, lost its effect, or just had it weakened.

"You were just —"

"Not myself," Yizhuo said. "I know. It felt like a cloud was over my head. Perhaps it was the arousal. Perhaps it was the adrenaline. Perhaps it was because of the sudenness of everything..."

"But?"

"But I see clearly now. No fuzzy feeling in my head either. And I'm... embarrassed to say this but..."

"But?"

"But I still want you. Not because of how you look. But because of how you listened to me earlier..."

"Yizhuo..."

"I tend to yap a lot," Yizhuo interrupted. "Most people avoid me because I tend to overwhelm them when I talk, especially about things I like."

I managed a faint smirk, recalling the way she talked about Professor Zhang earlier. She looked so animated and sincere with her enthusiasm. Now however, she doesn't look animated, but the sincereness remains.

"I am thankful that Minjeong listens to me too. But you're the first guy in this college who I felt truly listened to me and not just listened because they're trying to get in my pants. I can tell, Seren, women can tell." She said tenderly, and I felt the walls in my body slowly shaking.

"Okay. But here? Now?" I asked, trying to stall the inevitable. I know I wouldn't be able to refuse if this continues. I would justify it to the theory of me having incubi blood but truly, it's probably just me being a human who's weak to his desires.

Yizhuo pressed her body closer to me. "It's Sunday, you know as well as I that no one comes to the Archives on Sundays."

"But — cameras —"

"You've seen the screens, this is a blind spot." Yizhuo's breathing is now getting heavier and heavier, her eyes fixated on my lips.

"Are you sure, Yizhuo?" I asked. One more answer, one more answer and I know, my walls would crumble.

One heartbeat, two, three, and four, then —

"— Yes. I'm sure." Yizhuo replied, her eyes beady with a silent plea.

And I leaned down while she reached up, wrapping her arms around my neck — and our lips met as I held her by her waist.

"Seren," Yizhuo whispered. "Do to me what you did to Jimin." Her hand reached for one of mine and slowly led it towards the middle of her thighs.

She was hot, and i can feel the dampness even through her shorts. I pressed my fingers lightly on her clothed mound, her head whipped back and a breathy moan escapes her mouth.

"Hnnngh," Yizhuo's head leans forward, nuzzling in my chest as I rub my hands on her shorts.

"Good?" I whispered.

Her nods were small but frantic. "Inside, please. Need to feel you... ahh!" Her head went to my shoulder as I pushed her shorts and panties aside and started rubbing her clit in small and soft circles.

"Like that... don't stop... please don't... mmmmmhhhh," like Jimin, Yizhuo bit my shoulder as pleasure slowly racked her body.

Her body then slowly lifted against me as I inserted two fingers inside her. Yizhuo then grabbed me by the neck and pulled me for a kiss. She moaned on my lips as her hips grind in sync with my fingers inside her.

Her walls were so tight it was trying to squeeze my fingers yet so wet that they just slide in and out of her easily. My head was then flooded with expectations, what if it is my cock inside her, not my fingers? But that can wait till later, for now, Yizhuo was squirming erratically in my grasp, her moans growing louder despite being muffled by my lips.

Yizhuo breaks away and guides my head towards her neck where my lips and tongue feasted on her soft flesh, her breathy moans only served to heighten my desire which is evidenced by the growing tightening in my loins.

"Yes, lower.... please...." Yizhuo moaned as she grind herself in circles on my fingers. She guided my head lower before lifting her shirt and her bra, revealing one breast, full and soft. Everything about her seemed soft, even the hard nipple that I immediately sucked on, drawing a sharp gasp from Yizhuo.

"Just like that...." Yizhuo whimpered, pulling my head closer to her chest as I sucked and flicked my tongue on her nipple. "Keep going.... I'm...."

Then without warning, her head whips back, her eyes roll to the back of her head, and her mouth was wide open in a silent scream. Her body quivers uncontrollably as copious amount of juices sploshed on my fingers. I kept fingering her, drawing out more of her cum while her body arched, trying desperately to ride out her orgasm.

Yizhuo slowly went down her high. Her breathing slowly evens out as I extricated my fingers from inside her.

She made eye contact, her soft eyes expectant and still lidded with desire.

"Yizhuo, we really shouldnt —"

"Keep going, Seren, please... I need —"

Then suddenly, the PA system sounds, signalling that someone has entered the Archives and is requesting assistance.

All momentum dies as the tension snaps. Yizhuo and I rushed to make ourselves presentable, she fixes her shorts while I fix my shirt and hoodie. Then we made eye contact — and burst out laughing.

"That was..." I started as we walked back towards the reception area.

"Great," Yizhuo said with a little bit of skip in her steps. "It never felt that great before."

"I was going to say awkward," I chuckled.

Yizhuo paused and dipped her head, a flush creeping back on her cheeks. "Yeah. Well, maybe a bit." She admitted cutely.

We reached the reception to find a group of three, one girl and two boys, students clearly. They said they're here to cram a project about vampire covens, Yizhuo gave them instructions as to where the aisles are and they promptly followed.

Once they were out of sight, Yizhuo and I sat back on our seats.

"I never... did that before..." Yizhuo whispered. "Never thought I'll have the courage."

"Neither did I." I replied.

"You never finished," Yizhuo muttered and for a second, I was scared that she would jump on my lap or kneel in between my thighs. Thankfully, she remained seated, yet her eyes focused on me, like a cat waiting for permission to pounce.

"Oh. No. It's fine Yizhuo. We both got carried away so, it's fine. Don't mind me." My loins burn though, being blue balled is never comfortable.

"Shall we, continue it later?" Yizhuo asked innocently, leaning forward.

"Uhm... maybe not today —"

"Next shift, got it." She replied cheerfully then turned towards the computer to log the recent visitors.

That wasn't what I meant at all — I wanted to shout at the girl. I can't seem to get a read on her moods. One minute she's cheerful, then shy, then incredibly sexy and seductive, then innnocent. She's charming yes but, her unpredictability is both disarming and... exciting. Like I can't wait what her next mood would be, because I know she'd be adorable either way.

Our shift continued well until it a few hours before sunset. We clocked out and I walked Yizhuo out of the building.

"Well, that was... an eventful shift," she commented, dipping her head in slight embarrassment.

"Yizhuo, I —"

"Don't regret it, beacuse I don't," Yizhuo said, snapping her head up at me.

"I wanted to go all the way but —"

I managed a faint laugh then placed a hand on top of her head. "Stop saying those things out loud, Ning Yizhuo. If it happens, it happens, we'll cross that bridge when we get there."

Yizhuo's face lights up at my words.

"So, shall I walk you home?" I asked as I ruffled her hair.

"I'd love to but... our dorm's pretty far. You won't reach home before it gets dark if you walk me home," Yizhuo replied dejectedly.

I wanted to say it's fine, that I now have abilities to protect myself. But then I thought, I only had these abilities for a few days, I'd be no match if I get ambushed by a superior fighter or by multiple assailants. This is why I needed that training. Reluctantly, I agreed.

"Well, stay safe, Ning Yizhuo." I said, waving her goodbye as she walked the opposite direction.

"You too, Seren Vale. Looking forward to the next shift," Yizhuo waved back.

Next shift, huh. A part of me wants it to be as "adventurous" as this shift. But part of me also recognizes the danger, not just to our scholarships, but also, what if it paints a target at Yizhuo's back. What if the Night Races who would be after me would also learn about her and use her against me? These worries, and a thousand more from the earlier meeting with Yeji, swarmed my mind as I pulled my hoodie to cover my head and started my walk home.

In contrast with the run to the Archives, the walk home was uneventful. The sunset seemed dull as businesses closed before it gets dark. I walked inside the apartment, the gates felt looser, I thought. Was it because I pulled them a little too strongly this morning? At least they're still functioning, I thought.

I trudged through the seven flights of stairs towards my apartment — Room 707. The familiar halls were empty, lit only by yellow incandescent lights that seemed only to darken it than illuminate it.

I turned the key and entered my apartment and immediately felt something off. The room seemd brighter, wider, it even smelled more fragrant.

Confused, I walked cautiously along the short hallway. Once I reached the living room, my brows furrowed together. Sitting there was a couch, the same color, the same length, but unmistakably new. No patches from scratch marks, no wear and tear.

I walked towards it, wondering if by some magic, my couch renewed itself when a voice, soft and playful spoke behind me.

"Welcome home, Seren! How do you like the new couch?"

I turned, and my heart leapt as Jimin leapt in my arms. My hands wrapped around her waist. She's wearing another camisole shirt, her soft flesh sending jolts to my brain.

"Hey! How did you-? And what are you doing here? I thought you were with Joohyun?" I asked in quick succession. 

Jimin raised her head, her eyes met mine as she smiled cheekily. "I was. We went shopping, and we got you a new couch."

I shook my head, that last part didn't make sense to me. "What? How? Why?"

Jimin pulled back from the embrace, her arms rested on my shoulders while my hands were on her waist. "Well, Joohyun was worrying about residual fae dust on your couch so we bought you a new couch. Changed all your utensils and silverwares as well. Anything Yuna may have touched." Jimin said softly, as if gauging my reaction. I understood that the move may be necessary, but the cost of everything... "How much was this all —"

"I don't know," Jimin shrugged and my eyes widened in incredulity. "Joohyun forbade me from looking at the receipt."

"How did —?"

"She's the heiress of the Verrathi Coven, Seren. And she's two thousand years old. It'd be weird if she's not... well... rich."

I nodded slowly, still wrapping my head around the absurdity of everything.

"How did you even get in here? How did you even get everything in here?" I asked.

"Joohyun entered from the window. She had three of her death dealers help arrange everything." Jimin replied smirking, clearly amused at my emotions mixing together in one face of pure confusion.

She leaned in and gave my lips a quick peck, "You look cute when you're confused," she grinned cheekily.

"This is..."

"No need to thank us, Seren Vale," Jimin responded with that mischievious smirk.

"I might have to, for my whole life." I chuckled.

"Then..." Jimin drawled, one finger stroking my shoulder to my chest. "Why don't you start tonight?" She whispered with that naughtiness I've come to adore.

"Here? Now? I haven't even had dinner yet."

Jimin walked back, allowing me a full view of her body. Her cleavage was barely contained by her top, and her thighs and legs were not helping, especially with those extremely short shorts. "Dinner is right in front of you, Seren," she said in the most seductive way I thought Yuna will be proud. "So, what say you we break your new couch in?"

I'm a simple guy, and the two escapades in the Archives with Jimin and Yizhuo respectively left me with too much pent up energy. I lunged towards Jimin, wrapped my arms around her and lifted her off. She laughed sweetly until I laid her down on the new couch.

"Think it will hold?" Jimin teased.

"It better, or I'll have Joohyun buy another one," I quipped back before kissing Jimin, her arms wrapping around my head as she pulled me closer... and the world could have ended that night, and neither of us would have cared.