-NO SMUT-
-TW: Violence, sexual and psychological abuse-
10.3k words
"He's ready," Yeji said coolly. "I can see it in his eyes."
Seulgi scrutinized her like a captain assessing her men — which she was.
"Are you sure?" She asked apprehensively.
"Yes, ma'am," Yeji replied, trying to keep her voice even.
We are all crouched on a cluster of trees. The huntresses were wearing black shirts, cargo pants, and boots while Sullyoon wore the same thing she wore so as not to raise suspicions. The cluster of trees was tall, tall enough to block the light from the moon and apparently, the whisper of the wind as well. It should have been cold, my hands should have been cold from anxiety and nervousness, but strangely, I felt warm — like I'm burning with anticipation.
Across the road from our position was a forested hill. Deep inside was the grove Sullyoon said they went to and where their torment began. Now the huntresses and I were discussing the final parts of the plan to rescue Shin Yuna from the Wild Hunt.
"You're not just saying this because you have... developing affections... with Seren," Seulgi said that like it was a bad thing, which maybe it is if they do.
The detective then took a glance behind Yeji where Ryujin and Chaeryoung crouched, "all of you."
I noticed Yeji avert her gaze from Seulgi while Chaeryoung dipped her head. Ryujin on the other hand glanced at Chaeryoung.
"Answer me," Seulgi commanded.
"This does not seem like the right time —" I started.
"Are you their superior, Seren?" Seulgi snapped at me sternly. "I won't have their feelings or... personal bias... be a liability in this operation." She then looked at Chaeryoung and Ryujin, "Especially the two of you."
The three junior huntresses wanted to protest but Seulgi raised a hand. "Ryujin, you're chaos. You act the way you feel, now I'm telling you to keep your emotions in check and not charge in because the fight is "getting exciting", am I understood?"
Ryujin bit her lower lip before nodding shallowly.
"And you, Lee Chaeryoung," Seulgi turned and Chaeryoung straightened. "I know you like the guy more than anyone else in your team," Seulgi started and raised her hand a second time when Yeji opened her mouth. "You feel the most out of the three of you, so far that hasn't interfered with any of your missions... yet." Seulgi let the thought hang, but all of us got the message.
"And you, Hwang Yeji," Seulgi focused on Yeji and the blonde huntress stiffened. "I trust you can keep your team in check. And also..." Seulgi glanced at me, "I'll trust your judgement with Seren." Seulgi turned her attention back at Yeji, "but if he becomes a liability and does anything to compromise this operation —"
"I know, Captain," Yeji said, her voice resigned but resolute.
"I won't compromise this operation," I spoke up, feeling that this pep talk won't do anything good for the huntresses' morale.
Seulgi sighed, "Forgive me if I can't be certain of that, Seren."
"I won't compromise my friends," I talked back defiantly.
I noticed Yeji shoot me a look of gratefulness. Ryujin on the other hand gave a wicked grin while Chaeryoung smiled softly, her cheeks flushing slightly.
Seulgi studied me for a few more moments then nodded. She then looked behind where Sullyoon crouched, her palm resting on a tree root like she's communing with it.
"Are you ready for this, Seol YoonAh?" Seulgi asked.
Sullyoon raised her head, her eyes flashed green for a second then reverted back to its usual color. "The trees say that they still have Yuna," she then nodded grimly. "I'm ready."
Seulgi nodded, "Good, because you and Seren are the linchpins in this plan."
Sullyoon nodded, she was so focused that it was hard to imagine that she's usually airheaded. "I take Seren inside, saying that I took him here in exchange for Yuna."
"Are you going to be fine?" Chaeryoung asked. "Dryads can't lie too, can they?"
"A dryad bound to a fae through the Binding of Roots also cannot lie," Sullyoon replied. "I'll find a way, that's what faekind are known for, right? Silver tongues, non answers, loopholes, play on words?"
Sullyoon seemed calm. She usually is, but now I sense a certain rage behind her voice — and to be frank, it terrified me. This wasn't the soft girl I just slept with, this is a Night Folk fighting for something personal, something foundational to her existence. My anxiety and nervousness kicked up a notch knowing I'll be walking in a grove full of Riders of the Hunt, fae enchantresses, and possibly Glade Lords alone with a single calm but raging dryad.
"Good. Keep them talking while Joohyun and the Death Dealers thin out their ranks," Seulgi responded.
The vampire princess and her elite guard were stalking the grove. Their objective — eliminate any outlying and isolated Riders, and prevent anyone from getting in or getting out.
"We charge in when these conditions are met: Seren is taken by the Hunt, which we assume he will be if Yuna is freed, or if Sullyoon is compromised. If the latter happens, our priorities are Seren, Sullyoon, then Yuna, in that order. Any objections?" Seulgi laid out, her gaze on Sullyoon as she said that last part.
"I understand," Sullyoon nodded. "I'm already thankful enough that you would help me. If this indeed becomes chaotic, I'll find a way to free Yuna and escape with her."
"And you," Seulgi snapped immediately at me after Sullyoon finished speaking. "Do not try to be a hero," she said sternly.
"I'm not one," I snapped back.
Seulgi huffed, "Not yet."
Just then, a cat slowly makes its presence known. It padded slowly and soundlessly towards our position. I knew this wasn't an ordinary cat, but a member of the werebeasts' Intelligence and Reconnaissance Corps — because the color of its fur was pink. Behind it, two more pairs of eyes glowed, the only indication that this cat wasn't alone.
"Any updates, Sakura?" Seulgi asked.
The cat meowed once and the huntresses nodded. The cat turned towards me then tilted her head as if studying me. She faced Seulgi again, another meow, and she turned back and disappeared alongside the two others behind her.
"What did she say?" I asked, eyes still searching the darkness for any more signs of the corps' members.
"The Pale Princess has cleared a path," Seulgi sighed. "It's time."
I nodded, took a deep breath, and stood to face Sullyoon. "You ready, YoonAh?"
Sullyoon nodded. I placed my hands forward and pushed my wrist together, "Do it." Sullyoon placed a hand underneath my wrists, and vines grew to wrap around it. I examined the binds, they looked tight, but it was not painful, not unless I try to break them — which I found out I can if I tried hard enough.
"Kinky," Ryujin muttered behind us, then — "Sorry." I stifled a chuckle as I assumed she was reprimanded by her comrades.
"I need to gag you as well," Sullyoon spoke softly, a hand reaching out to cover my mouth. "Is that okay?"
"Now this is really kinky," Ryujin snickered, and I heard a light snap and another snicker from Ryujin. Chaeryoung must have slapped her thigh to admonish her again.
I smiled before nodding at Sullyoon. Her hand hardened, like tree bark, forming a mask that covered my mouth and the lower half of my cheeks. I felt rootlike tendrils that seemed to attach themselves on my skin, making the mask "stick" on my face. She slowly pulled her hand away, the bark mask creaking softly as her hand separated from it.
"You're not uncomfortable, are you?" She asked, her eyes full of concern despite the grim determination tucked deep inside.
I tried to answer verbally but was unable to as the mask effectively gagged me.