Revelations

"How's your wound? " I asked Yeji before giving her a glass of water.

"Healing," she groaned on my couch. She winced sharply as she pressed her hand on where she was stabbed by Indarin's rapier. "I can feel it closing. Should be fine after a good night's sleep." She replied before taking a quick drink from the glass.

"And you, Saerom?" I turned to the Death Dealer. She stood by my window as she watched outside, concern still etched on her face. Soyeon was taken back to the coven after her neck wound has closed. Chaeyoung accompanied her, now all she needs is to recover the blood she lost during the fight.

Ryujin likewise, was in the same situation, with the hunters taking her back to the catacombs to recover. Chaeryoung also joined them.

Now, Yeji and Saerom are resting in my apartment. Joohyun and Seulgi remained at the rooftop with a couple other Death Dealers and Hunters as they examined Indarin's body.

"I'm fine. Compared to the others, Yeji's injuries and mine are trivial."

"For what it's worth, that was one hell of a fight," Yeji muttered, wrapping both hands around the glass.

"You showed great heart out there," Saerom told Yeji.

"So did you, even if yours isn't beating anymore," the huntress quipped weakly to which Saerom responded with a quick chuckle.

"And you, Seren? How are you holding up?" Yeji asked.

I crashed down on the opposite couch, sinking too hard that I thought for a second I was going to break the damn thing. Then I took a deep breath.

"Tired. So. Fucking. Tired."

I turned aero sense off — I turned everything off. I took a look at my arms, the cuts Indarin made were also slowly healing. Just like Yeji, I hoped this would all be healed after a good sleep.

"That trick with the faerie dust was something else. I've never seen even other fae fight like that," Yeji commented.

"Keep honing that," Saerom added. "That and your fighting skills, coupled with your aero sense — I can see you getting frighteningly dangerous in an even more frightening short amount of time."

"Thanks," I said wearily. "It means a lot, especially coming from both of you."

They each gave a tired sigh as acknowledgment before silence befalls us — comfortable with a breath of relief. Saerom shifts by the window, she now faced us as she leaned against it. Yeji emptied her glass then placed it on the glass desk. The huntress leaned her head back against the couch's backrest.

Then she released a small huff. Then an airy chuckle. Saerom responded in kind, chuckling as she leaned her head back against the window pane. In just half a minute — the three of us were laughing. The sound felt like it was lifting something off our chests, like every breath takes a collective weight off. Yeji clutched her side, her wound no doubt bothering her, but she kept wheezing anyway.

Yeji leaned her head forward, laughter slowly subsiding while she held her side, "We really did it," she whispered the words like they were precious. "We fucking killed a Glade Lord."

"Technically, Saerom dealt the finishing blow but —" I chuckled.

"Don't be such a buzzkill, Seren," Yeji quipped back.

"Well it was a team effort, so. You don't mind if we take some of the credit, do you, Saerom?" I asked.

"It's been centuries since a Glade Lord was last slain. And if I remember correctly, it was a dragon that slew it," Saerom replied.

"So do you think we're dragon level now?" I followed up playfully.

"Absolutely not," Saerom laughed back at me. "But yeah. I don't mind sharing the credit. Personally, I'd rather not have it connected to me."

"Why not?"

"Saerom has a... reputation. Second only to the Pale Princess — and maybe perhaps her brother. Her getting a kill against a Glade Lord could place her on par with her Princess in notoriety," Yeji replied.

"And is that so bad?" I asked.

"Not really," Yeji answered. "It's a double edged blade. The more notorious you are, the less frequent lesser and weaker Night Folk tend to attack you — but that just also means that those above you will be wary of you."

"And Orion will certainly attribute most of this incident to me — being the oldest and arguably the most notorious in Night Folk society amongst the seven of us who were there," Saerom added.

"As well as dealing the killing strike. He'll probably start regarding you with the same level of threat as the Pale Princess," Yeji remarked.

"Huh," Saerom huffed. "That could be good in hindsight. That just means Orion will think twice before striking the coven."

"And what does that mean to the huntresses?" I asked. "To me?"

"Well, Yeji and her team were only known as the youngest huntresses in a generation. That in itself is noteworthy, but they're still relatively untested — until tonight," Saerom replied. "With this achievement, they could be collectively placed in the same threat level as say... the Bear Huntress Kang Seulgi."

"That doesn’t mean we could beat her," Yeji added. "It's just... threats would see us at the same level and hopefully... think about their life choices before facing us."

"As for you, Seren," Saerom continued. "Your reputation could go in two different directions."

"And what is that?" I asked, leaning forward in curiosity.

"Either you are recognized as a legitimate threat," Yeji started.

"Or the complete opposite. Folk would think it was us and the Huntresses who sealed Indarin's fate and you were just a... lucky survivor."

"Damn," I exclaimed. "I don't know which one I prefer," I quipped, making the ladies chuckle lightly.

"I suggest you prefer and build upon the former," Yeji suggested. "The notoriety you bring would probably make other races consider your Project: Eclipse Garden more seriously."

"Project: Eclipse Garden?" Saerom's brow furrowed in curiosity.

"Oh," I leaned forward a bit as I faced the Death Dealer. "Something like a... proof of concept for coexistence between humans and Night Folk at the college. It's not official yet, but, Princess Jang Wonyoung would be heading this initiative," I replied.

"And you're both on board with this?"

Yeji and I nodded.

"Arthur Jang won't like that," Saerom muttered.

"He should be proud," Yeji countered. "His daughter's doing something big for a change. Isn't that what leaders are supposed to do?"

Saerom scoffed, then turned back to once again look outside through the window. Her gaze cut through the cityscape into the small facade of the Verrathi Royal Mansion across the distance. "Arthur Jang is a hard man. Princess Wonyoung's... conviction... must be harder than her father's if she wants your Project to succeed."

A silence falls between us as we considered Saerom's words. Then I glanced at the Death Dealer, "would you support this project?"

Saerom gave a faint smile, "It depends on how you shape this Garden moving forward. But it's good on paper, I'm sure Joohyun would support it whole heartedly — but she's not really the head of the Verrathi coven, at least not yet. The final decision still rests on her father. The werebeasts Triarchy may also say something about it."

"Which is why we're focused on the college for the time being —" I began.

"As a proof of concept, yes. That's good," Saerom's words made me more confident about Eclipse Garden. "Start small, until you're big enough that they can't ignore you."

"In a way it seems like we're building a reputation for the Garden as well," Yeji whispered.

"Exactly," Saerom agreed. "And this Garden of yours already has four members who took down a Glade Lord. That would increase your influence and pull across the table."

"Eclipse Garden is a peaceful initiative, Saerom," I corrected.

"But this isn't a peaceful world, Seren. One way or another, you're going to have to defend your Garden — both in the diplomatic table, and also in the battlefield," Saerom countered.

"Like it or not, we're military figures now," Yeji added. "And most races value strength before you can pull them into the table to talk, I would know because I belong to one of those races."

"So we fight so we can talk about peace?" I asked.

"In a world that respects power and strength above all else, that is an ugly but ironic truth," Saerom replied with a weary sigh.

Our discussion was cut short when the door opened and Bae Joohyun and Kang Seulgi entered the room. The atmosphere suddenly got heavier, although not tense or uncomfortable.

Seulgi went towards Yeji and took the glass, "More water?"

"Please, thanks," Yeji answered with a soft smile. Seulgi walked to my fridge and took a pitcher. She reached for my cupboard and took a glass of her own before pouring water in both glasses.

Joohyun on the other hand, joined Saerom by the window. Saerom turned around and leaned against it while Joohyun watch the city lights.

Seulgi joined Yeji at the couch, handing her her glass before taking a sip of her own.

"Hell of a night you all had," Seulgi said, setting the glass on the glass desk with a soft clink.

"Sorry it took us so long," Joohyun sighed softly.

"It's fine," I said.

"Didn't seem like you needed it," Seulgi quipped.

"Oh we needed it," I quipped back sarcastically.

Saerom chuckled as Yeji sipped water with a faint smile. "If they arrived earlier, you wouldn't have discovered how to use your faerie dust in combat."

"That's the only reason I forgive them," I joked, making Seulgi and Yeji chuckle. Saerom and Joohyun only gave a faint smile before the Pale Princess turned towards me. "You implied that Indarin said something to you?"

I sighed, then sank back on the couch. My head stared at the ceiling, I remember every word Indarin said. And despite choosing the long and hard way with sirens — some curious part of me was nagging with the "what if."

"He called me an unholy hybrid," I finally said.

The people in the room tensed. Yeji's eyes flicked to me with concern, her hands wrapped tighter around her quarter full glass. Seulgi leaned back on the couch and crossed her arms. The vampires remained unmoving by my window, yet their faces showed that they were deep in thought.

"A hybrid of what? Incubus and —?" Yeji leaned forward.

"He didn’t say, nor did he give any indication it was actually incubi. Instead, he wanted to bargain for the information —"

"Typical fae," Seulgi scoffed.

"What did he want in exchange?" Yeji asked.

"One of my eyes."

Joohyun scoffed mockingly.

"Yeah. That's a no-brainer," Seulgi remarked.

"That's a shitty deal," Saerom commented.

"That's what I told him."

"Anything else?" Joohyun asked.

"He said," I struggled to recall the exact words Indarin used. "He said that heaven and hell bestowed powers upon me. And that my grandmother, Allindra Vale, adopted me despite knowing I'm a monster."

I sighed as the room falls quiet. Each of them have been invested at finding out what I am, especially when the Wild Hunt has showed continuous interest.

"I could understand separating them," Joohyun finally spoke, her chin rested on her hand. "Hell bestowing powers is like the incubus and succubus — decendants of the Blood of Lilith. Or the warlocks who directly serve the demons of hell in exchange for infernal powers..."

"As for heaven," Seulgi interjected. "Could it be the Order of Paladins? Or maybe the Nephilim?"

"The Nephilim are extinct," Saerom commented. "Hunted down until none remained — or at least, none were seen since —" she looked at Joohyun.

"Since centuries before I was even born," Joohyun finished.

"So we have no way to deduce that part?" I asked, pressing my palms on my forehead in frustration.

"Neither is the second part," Seulgi said.

Yeah. How can we know the thoughts of my dead grandmother. Necromancy is always an option — but consorting with dark magic never ends well. And I know my grandmother wouldn't want me to go down that road.

I straightened on the couch, "So that really just leaves the siren cove, huh."

Yeji emptied her glass before speaking, "Hopefully you'll get some clue during the showcase."

"What showcase?" Joohyun asked.

I sighed again in exhaustion as I explained that Minjeong and Yizhuo are going to have a showcase as new members of the school band tomorrow. I also said that I suspect one of their bandmates is a siren.

"You should suspect every member is a siren," Seulgi remarked.

Yeji faced her superior, "That just fuels paranoia."

"And I've been paranoid since Minjeong brought them last Sunday at the Archives," I added.

"Just keep your guard up," Joohyun approached and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Don't trust anyone blindly."

I nodded in thanks. "Anyway, are you not attending class anymore? Not that you needed it."

That got the Pale Princess to chuckle. "Responsibilities at the coven prevent me, Seren. Although I enrolled in a whim because of you, I have to admit it was fun."

"But the world needs the Pale Princess, is that it?" Seulgi asked teasingly.

"Not that big of a scale," Joohyun quipped back.

Seulgi chuckled before rising, "Well, is that all for tonight?"

I then raised a hand, "What happens to Indarin's body?"

"The head will be sent to the Hunt," Joohyun replied, "with Saerom's glaive still embedded in his skull."

That got an approving smirk from Saerom and I.

"As for his body," Seulgi chimed in, "Joohyun and I agreed to a joint dissection, find out whatever experiments or secrets Orion gave his Glade Lords."

I nodded again. I hope they find something, especially one that would explain Indarin's speed and the way he just tanked the hits that we gave him. That kind of power can't be because of their natural prowess.

"Well then, we'll be off —" Seulgi said.

"I'm..." Yeji cut her superior off who fixed her with a curious gaze. "I'm staying with Seren for the night."

It gave Seulgi pause as my eyes then fluttered towards the huntress. Her decision wasn't entirely unwelcome, just, intriguing.

Seulgi raised an eyebrow, "Ryujin is injured, Hwang Yeji —"

"Chaeryoung's with her," Yeji's tone was cautious. "But Seren has no one else for tonight," she added shyly.

Seulgi looked at Joohyun who shrugged at her as if saying "it's your subordinate, why are you looking at me?"

Seulgi's shoulders slumped as she sighed, "Fine. But be back at headquarters before you get to campus."

Yeji nodded in thanks. Seulgi gave me a nod then proceeded to my apartment door.

Joohyun followed with Saerom in tow. The vampire princess turned before she exited, "Stay safe, Seren."

"I'll try to," I replied, making her smile before she and Saerom left my apartment, leaving me and Yeji in a light and comfortable silence.

"It's been a while since we were alone together like this," I said, breaking the silence.

"Hmm," Yeji hummed. "It was after the attack at the Archives."

The memory made me chuckle, back then I was running away from Riders of the Hunt — and now we just slew a Glade Lord.

I heaved a sigh before rising and moving towards the window. Something about the city lights, peaceful and constant, contrasted with the chaotic night we just had, gave an ironic but comforting feel.

Then I felt Yeji's arms snake around my waist. Her body pressed flush against me and her chin resting on my shoulder. "What are you thinking about?" She asked softly.

I held her forearms, drawing circles on it with my thumb. "Tomorrow."

"The showcase?"

I nodded.

"What about it?"

"What if it dissolves into another fight?"

"Then you find a way to win, just like you did tonight." Yeji gave my neck a quick and gentle kiss, right where one of Indarin's thrust pierced my flesh.

"It's different," I whispered. "Jimin will be there — Minjeong, Yizhuo, even Chaewon. And probably a lot more innocents as well."

"The answer remains the same, Seren," Yeji moved in front of me, leaning against the window. Her eyes half-lidded and her breath warm. She looped her arms around my neck and I held her by her waist. "You find a way to win. To survive," she whispered, leaning closer to my lips.

"Survive," I whispered the word like it was something sacred. I pushed her gently against the window, her breath hitched, her lips opened partly — softly inviting and enticing. And I leaned in to capture it in mine.

Yeji pulled me in, slow and soft. A hand brushed the hair on the side of my neck. A single breathy moan, and her legs wrapped around my waist.

"Fuck — Seren," she breathed, pulling my head down towards her neck. One hand strokes my own, and I had to shiver as Yeji caressed a scar with her finger, the touch of her softness on the healing tissue made my spine tingle.

"Sensitive?" Yeji giggled.

"I may have a lot of sensitive spots tonight," I replied, leaving her neck and pressing my forehead against hers.

"How many times did he hit you?"

"I didn't really had the time nor the luxury to count, Hwang Yeji," I retorted.

Yeji giggled, then cupped my cheeks. "We only do this after battles," she whispered.

I pressed a soft kiss on her lips before replying, "Granted, this is only the second time we're doing this."

"Seems like Jimin doesn't mind anymore," Yeji tentatively moved her hips, making both of us release a breath we didn't know we were holding.

"Well... we... had a talk — shit, Hwang Yeji —" Yeji's movements became more deliberate, grinding harder on my crotch and feeling the growing hardness beneath my pants.

"So she won't kill me if we do this?" Yeji giggled.

"She'll kill me first — fuck... No — you'll kill me first with how you're moving —"

"Does it feel good?" Yeji asked, and I can only nod on her forehead.

"Then make me feel good too," she whispered. She let go of my head and neck, her hands creeping towards the hem of her shirt, and in one smooth motion, pulled it off of her body.

The sight of her naked upper body nearly brought me to a frenzy. Toned and smooth abs, perky tits and hardening nubs — but what really caught my eye was the similat scar she had underneath her left breast, the spot where Indarin stabbed her. It was scabbing like my own injuries, and Yeji hissed as I stroked it softly with my thumb.

"Now we're even on that front," Yeji giggled in between heavy breaths, "now make me feel good as I'm making you —!" Another hiss escapes her mouth, followed by a moan of pleasure as I dove into her chest, taking one pink nub between my teeth and flicking my tongue upon its tip.

"Fuck, Seren —!" She gyrates harder on my crotch, I can feel her heat and a little bit of wetness seeping from the sweatpants the hunters brought as a change of clothes.

A hand once again grasps my hair, pulling me harder as she arches her body, offering more of her to me. With her free hand, she pulls at my shirt from the back, crumpling it in her fists.

"Take this off," she whispered. I pulled away from her tits, her feet touched the floor again as I let go of carrying her body. I took my shirt off, and Yeji ran her hands on the scars that Indarin gave.

"Shame these scars are going to heal," Yeji remarked. "You look hot, like a grizzled warrior," she winks before kneeling down before me.

"And now," Yeji grinned, "I think it's time to meet your sword once again." Her hands wrapped around the hem of my pants when she looked up. She huffed in embarrassment when she noted the flat expression on my face.

"Bad joke?"

I nodded. "You nearly killed the mood, Hwang Yeji."

"Nearly," she echoed. "So it's still salvageable. Allow me, then," and she pulled my pants down, exposing my half hard shaft to her warm breath.

It was my turn to hiss when Yeji wrapped her fingers around my shaft. She stroked it softly, almost reverently. A smile faintly cracks her lips when she felt my cock growing to full hardness.

She kept stroking softly. Her grip's just right, not too tight to hurt, nor too loose. I exhaled sharply, one hand pressing against the glass window to steady myself. "Hwang Yeji —"

"More?" The huntress asked, her eyes gleaming because she already knew the answer.

"Rhetorical question, don't you think?" I even bothered to reply.

She giggled again. She pulled the tip closer to her lip. I hissed again when I felt her tongue slide across the slit, licking off the pre-cum that was slowly trickling off.

"Was that good?" Yeji teased.

"Gods, huntress. Are you just going to tease me for the whole — gods damn it!"

I cursed as Yeji wrapped her lips around the tip of my cock. She swirled her tongue around the head, making me clench my fist on the window.

I felt her chuckle, sending vibrations across my shaft that were unnecessary but definitely welcome. What followed next was a lot more welcome than anything else — the warm and wet mouth of Yeji slowly covering my shaft.

I released a restrained groan while slowly stretching my head upwards. Then Yeji released my shaft with a loud pop. "Damn. Should have done this the first time," Yeji chuckled as she stroked my hardness more enthusiastically, "I can't even fit all of you."

"Yet," I teased, earning a chuckle from the huntress.

"I'll try my best, then," and my cock disappeared again inside Yeji's mouth — well half of it. The huntresss still can't take all of my shaft.

A hand moves to carress her face, her eyes shot up, looking at me as she boobed her head up and down, each time trying to take more of me inside her. Her hand strokes what her mouth can't reach, and the dual assault had my legs shaking.

"Hwang Yeji — I'm —" I can feel the sensation burning in the pit of my gut. I can feel Yeji's wet heat bobbing along half of my shaft, I can feel her soft palm roughly stroking the other half — then I felt nothing.

Yeji pulled her mouth off of my hardness. I stared at her with disbelief, and she responded with a wicked grin as she stood.

"You're not finishing anywhere but inside me, Vale," she whispered, her hands slowly pushing her pants off of her hips.

I watched her strip, revealing her now dripping heat, her toned thighs, her smooth legs, until her pants were completely discarded on the floor. Yeji scoffed at my expression. She slowly turned around, her body pressing against the window, her ass lifting and teasing the tip of my cock.

She lined her dripping entrance against my throbbing head — then she pushed. My hands went to Yeji's waist immediately, slowly feeling the tight and wet warmth that is slowly wrapping my hardness.

Yeji released a breathy sigh once she had me fully sheathed. "Fuck, I missed this, Seren," she moaned, her palms pressed flat against the glass.

She began moving her hips. My head whipped upwards and my grip on her waist tightened. Yeji was moving slow, slipping out of my cock until only the tip remained inside her before pushing it all back in in almost a snail's pace.

"Fuck, Hwang Yeji —"

"Like that?"

"Do you?"

"Very much."

She sped up, slow at first, barely noticeable, until it was rough enough that the slap of skin against skin permeated my apartment. I reached for her hands on the glass, intertwining them as I met Yeji's movements.

"Yes," Yeji breathed. "Just like that."

I pressed forward, pushing her flush against my body and the window.

The rhythm was slow, just right. The moon made Yeji's skin glisten, and the wind carried her voice softly, as she whispered, "I'm close..."

I nodded. "So am I," I replied breathily. I leaned in, pressing soft kisses along her neck and shoulder, one hand going down her body to palm one perky breast. It made her body shiver and I can feel the goosebumps rising on her skin.

"Yes... Seren... I'm —" a stangled gasp leaves her lips. Her fingers gripped mine tight, her walls gripped my shaft tighter as it pulsated, pushing her orgasm and squeezing mine out.

We moved rhythmically as one as we rode our highs. I panted, resting my head on her shoulder.

"Is this still for release, just like last time?" I asked, kissing her shoulder softly.

"I don't know. Probably not anymore," Yeji replied, gazing far away on the window.

"We should do this properly sometime," she whispered after a few heavy breaths, "not just after battles."

"Ditto," I replied, too exhausted to say any more.

Yeji giggled quietly, "We should get some rest."

"We should."

Yeji turned around, pulling my half-flaccid shaft out of her. She looped her arms around my neck and smiled, "Cuddle?"

I huffed and gave her a quick, soft kiss. "Cuddle."

She giggled as I mustered what's left of my energy to carry the huntress to my bed.
------‐--------

You killed what?!" Jimin's voice filled the campus rooftop.

"A Glade Lord," I replied arrogantly.

"This isn't funny, Seren!" Jimin began inspecting my body, pulling my shirt up to check if there are any lasting injuries — which is the exact same time the huntresses chose to step into the rooftop.

"Woah!" Ryujin exclaimed. "Are we interrupting something?" Her shift from surprised to sensually teasing was terrifying. Yeji only chuckled while Chaeryoung playfully hit the back of Ryujin's head.

Jimin hastily pulled my shirt down, "No! It's just... I'm checking for injuries... he said you took a Glade Lord down last night."

"That we did," Ryujin approached smugly, walking towards us and giving me a high-five.

"How're yours, Ryujin?"

"Healed," Ryujin unabashedly lifted her black shirt, revealing a black lace bra. Her skin was smooth, like she wasn't stabbed twice. Then Ryujin winked, "Want me to remove it all, Seren?"

Jimin chuckled and threw a crumpled piece of paper at the huntress who just laughed.

I turned to the other two huntresses, "How about the two of you? How are your bruises, Chaeryoung?"

Chaeryoung lifted her yellow shirt just enough for us to see a tease of her white bra underneath. "The one on the hip is now fine," she lowered her shirt then pulled the left side of the sleeve down where a small dark spot remained, "the one on my shoulder's a little bit more stubborn."

All four of us chuckled. Then Jimin turned to Yeji, "How about you?"

Yeji unbuttoned her cardigan, revealing a white crop top underneath. "Good as new, you should know, you assimilated my healing factor," she said, stroking the underside of her left breast where nothing but smooth pale skin is present.

"How about you, Seren?" Ryujin asked.

"A little bit of scarring remains near my neck," I said, feeling the slight protrusion on my neck. Jimin was immediately on it, inspecting the scar like it was a major surgery. "Otherwise, everything's good."

Jimin gave a sigh of relief as the huntresses relaxed around us. "So you killed a Glade Lord. How the hell did that happen?" She asked breathily, almost like she still can't believe it.

I recounted everything, how I was just trying to train when Indarin came out of nowhere. How I was overwhelmed before the Death Dealers arrived. How we were still overwhelmed—even after the Huntresses arrived — Jimin particularly winced when I described Soyeon's injury.

I recalled how helpless I felt as Indarin toyed with me once he eliminated the others. I recalled my desperate thoughts until I used faerie dust to manipulate Indarin's perception of my strikes, making him perceive the timing wrong and allowing me to pressure him long enough for my companions to recover.

And finally, I recalled how all of us piled on Indarin, holding him down until Saerom delivered the killing strike, the blade of her broken glaive right through Indarin's head.

The clouds covered the sun as Jimin went quiet after I told the story.

"That sounded like a struggle," she finally spoke softly, like she's imagining and feeling each injury we had.

"It was," Chaeryoung agreed.

"And you," Jimin turned to Chaeryoung. "Rushing into battle in your human form was reckless."

Yeji scoffed, "Yeah. We told her that."

Ryujin snickered at the side, "she wouldn't listen because her beloved was in danger. Said you'll kill her if Seren gets killed."

"That's an exaggeration!" Chaeryoung protested, her cheeks blushing as the sun breaks free from the clouds.

"We'll mourn first," Jimin quipped, "then I'll strangle her."

"Can we not talk about me dying so casually?" I protested, earning another round of laughter from my friends.

Just then, Shin Yuna bursts out of the bulwark and into the rooftop — making all our heads turn. Her eyes searched and immediately zeroed in on me. She was out of breath, like she was rushing to get to the rooftop after her last class for the morning.

She looked at me for a split second. Awe and gratitude were etched in the soft expression of her face. And before any of us can greet her, she rushes towards me, wraps her arms around my neck and kisses my lips in the presence of everyone.

I caught her and wrapped my hands on her waist instinctively. I can feel Jimin raise an eyebrow through aero sense — but Yuna refused to budge. She pressed her lips deeper than she ever pressed them of all the times that we kissed. When she pulled away, she was as out of breath as I am, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes were watery.

We held each other's gazes until Jimin cleared her throat. Yuna pushes herself off of me immediately, "Sorry. I got... carried away," she awkwardly stuttered, unable to meet Jimin's eyes.

"It's just..." Yuna turns to face me again. "You slew Indarin." Then she turns towards the huntresses, "all of you."

"Don't we get a kiss too?" Ryujin asked with a grin.

"I don't mind," Yuna rose and made to approach Ryujin who recoiled on her seat. Yuna's fae, she can't lie, so there's certainly some hint of seriousness in her remark that disarmed Ryujin.

"Woah! Woah! Woah! Not now, Shin Yuna. I have an image to maintain," Ryujin joked, earning another round of laughter.

Yuna went back to our side and sat beside Jimin. She was quiet for a heartbeat, then she sighed, like she was removing a weight off her chest. "It's just that... Indarin was one of the Glade Lords that night. He turned my capture and Seren's and YoonAh's rescue attempt like a show..." then her voice lowers to a whisper, "he even threatened to ravage me right there, in their presence."

Her words softened Jimin's expression. She reached for the fae's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Yuna met her gaze and smiled in gratitude.

The clouds cover the sun again as the rooftop takes a quick and quiet breath.

The bulwark door opened — a lot calmer than when Yuna burst in, making us turn our heads again. Out came Seol YoonAh — still with gardening tools in her hand.

"Oh, you're all already here," she greeted. Her eyes scanned the huntresses before finally landing on me. "Heard you killed Indarin last night."

"We did," Yeji replied.

"So do you want to kiss Seren too?" Ryujin joked.

Sullyoon smirked, noting Yuna's swollen lips while Jimin held her hand. "I do, but... Jimin's expression is saying that Yuna's kiss was enough for the day." Her response made Jimin smirk playfully and proudly.

"Still gardening?" I asked as the dryad moved towards her small garden.

Sullyoon nodded as she turned. "I can only place small pots for the time being. I would love this rooftop to have a canopy so it won't be as hot, especially during noontime but, I think that would be too big and too noticeable of a project."

Then an idea formed in my head, "Keep that thought, Sullyoon. I'll try and ask Princess Wonyoung to make this rooftop our... headquarters of sorts — for Project: Eclipse Garden."

Sullyoon smiled widely at the idea, nodding vigorously and adorably before turning back to resume her gardening.

"You're really serious about this Project?" Yuna asked.

"I'm even surprised at how serious I seem," I joked. "We need a physical place to meet. A space where people can see that we indeed coexist."

"And we expand from there," Jimin supported.

"Just don't forget our talk last night, Seren. Saerom gave some great notes to remember," Yeji reminded.

Jimin turned to me, curious as to what Yeji was talking about. So I shared to everyone about how they may come a time when we need to defend the Garden politically and militarily. I also talked about the notoriety part. I expected Jimin to object but she just nodded, saying that she understands the necessities that may come towards this... initiative. She just wished it won't come to a large scale battle.

Chaeryoung then stretched her body before speaking, "So far we have four races in this Garden. Us werebeasts, you and Jimin for the humans — although we could probably consider Minjeong and Yizhuo as well. Then Yuna for the fae, and Sullyoon for the dryads."

"We can also count on the support of the Pale Princess. I know Joohyun would support this if she were here," Jimin added.

"We sound like a school club," Ryujin quipped.

"The difference is... this 'school club' would aim for political power," I replied. "The princess wants us as a proof of concept, which means in time, this Garden would extend even outside the college."

"Sounds dangerous," Ryujin chimed in.

"You love dangerous," Yuna quipped.

Ryujin gave her an approving smirk, "That I do."

With that comment, the group slowly dissolved to their own worlds. The huntresses perched on the bulwark, though they did not morph into their beast forms. Yuna approached Sullyoon, trying to help her transfer loam from one pot to another. She was then shooed away by the dryad because the fae "didn't want to get her hands dirty."

That left Jimin and I sitting on the mat. She scooted over to face me, her hand stroking my arm.

"So, Glade Lord Slayer, huh," she said with a smirk.

"Little things," I winked, making her scoff loudly.

"Are you ready for the showcase?" Jimin asked next.

"About that."

Jimin tilted her head, brows furrowing, "something tells me I'm probably not going to like what you're about to say."

I sighed. This is going to be ugly — I thought. How do I tell Jimin this?

"Just spit it out," Jimin said almost teasingly.

"Alright. With everything that happened this week, the attack on campus, the fight at the park, and Indarin's assault last night — I don't think it's a good idea to have you in a place which could dissolve into a fight."

Jimin looked at me like I just slapped her. "Seren..."

"Jimin —"

"You already said your piece, now let me say mine."

"Okay," I replied, shutting my mouth immediately.

"I don't want you to treat me like a fragile piece of glass..."

"But you're not —"

"Night Folk, I know. I have no means to defend myself. But I have you with me, I'll know you'll protect me."

"I was the one who needed to be protected the most last night — I don't know if I can protect —"

"Seren Vale," Jimin held my cheek as she spoke tenderly. "You protected me in the Archives when you had no training. You saved Yuna and Sullyoon when you had no training. And you just slew a Glade Lord, you have nothing to worry about."

"I have everything to worry about," I retorted. "You, Minjeong, and Yizhuo, and probably some innocent bystanders too."

Jimin pulled me in and pressed her forehead against mine, "I'm going with you. Not just for you, but for Minjeong and Yizhuo as well. If it does not go down to a fight, I know those two would be disappointed."

"You're being selfish, Yu Jimin..." I whispered, the word lingering for half a heartbeat than it needs to before Jimin scoffed and replied.

"We both are..."

"This isn't about Chaewon, is it?" I asked cautiously.

I felt Jimin scoff, "Well, maybe a little bit. But not solely about the two of you. I want to meet her personally, for myself."

"You sure about this?"

She nodded her head against mine.

The sun once again broke free from the clouds before I sighed and replied. "Fine. But if something happens, you follow my lead."

Jimin smirked then pressed her lips against mine for a quick kiss. "Yes, sir," she replied playfully.

"You're impossible, Yu Jimin," I chuckled in disbelief.

"No, you just love me," Jimin retorted as she rose right in time as the campus bell chimes.

I sighed as I rose as well. The huntresses leapt down and went ahead while Yuna and Sullyoon met us by the bulwark. The dryad waited for us by the door and extended her hand like she's giving me something. Jimin and I paused as I extended my own hand.

The dryad placed what seemed like a wooden cylinder the size of my palm.

"What is this?" I asked.

Sullyoon pursed her lips and lowered her head bashfully. "I heard you fight with a quarterstaff. And since you can't bring one to campus, I made you a compact one. Something that campus security won't flag immediately."

I inspected the cylinder in my hand. It could sure pass as a trinket, but I can't see it becoming a quarterstaff.

"Why don't you give it a quick flick," Sullyoon said, with Jimin and Yuna looking over in curiosity.

Holding the cylinder tightly, I flicked my wrist — and the cylinder extended into a six foot long quarterstaff.

"Woah!" Jimin, Yuna, and I exclaimed. Sullyoon on the other hand gave a soft smile of satisfaction.

"Now you can bring a quarterstaff anywhere without being suspicious," the dryad beamed proudly.

I gave the staff a quick flourish, it's lighter than the one Soyeon gave me — but it seemed sturdier and stronger. I gave it another flick of my wrist, and it returned into a cylinder the size of my hand.

"Thank you, YoonAh," I whispered softly.

Sullyoon chuckled, "I like it when you call me by my real name."

"Can she kiss Seren now, Jimin?" Yuna teased.

Yu Jimin laughed. "Just don't make me see it," she quipped then went ahead to enter the bulwark.

Sullyoon and I made eye contact — Jimin was now technically out of sight. We both chuckled before I pulled her by the waist to give her lips a quick kiss.

The dryad's cheeks were red despite the quickness of the contact, she pulled away and shyly placed the back of her hand on one of her cheeks.

"I..." Sullyoon stuttered. "I hope it would be of use. No, I mean, I hope you won't actually get to use it... but... I.... I..." then she huffs and relaxes, chuckling in spite of herself — making Yuna and I respond in kind.

Sullyoon met my gaze with that soft smile and sparkling eyes I've grown to love, "I hope it keeps you safe."

I reciprocated her smile. "I know it will. Thank you again, YoonAh."

We then made our way back to campus where just a few hours from now, we'll either be attending a simple showcase, or have a showdown against sirens.
-------------

"I'm freaking underdressed," I whispered urgently to Jimin as we met at the corner outside the college's amphitheatre.

Jimin was covering her mouth with her hand as she tried her hardest not to laugh out loud. I wore a simple black hoodie, gray shirt, denim jeans, and white sneakers. Jimin on the other hand wore a white smart casual shirt, a black pencil skirt with a slit running down the length of her right thigh, and black heels.

"When did you even change, anyway? You weren't bringing clothes at the rooftop," I said while consciously straightening my hoodie.

"Guess you didn't get the memo," Jimin teased.

"There was no memo!" I protested, making Jimin openly laugh out loud at my expense.

Then a voice cuts through Jimin's laughter. "You both came!" Minjeong's voice was high, excited, but still carrying a nervous weight.

Jimin and I turned only to be trapped in a tight embrace from the sophomore. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

When she pulled away, she looked at me from head to toe then her eyebrows met.

I rolled my eyes. "I know. I'm hilariously underdressed." Minjeong dressed like a little rockstar — denim jacket, a white crop top beneath, denim jeans, and leather boots.

"You look... fine..." Minjeong stuttered, clearly trying not to laugh like Jimin.

"So are you," Jimin teased, her gaze fluttering down at Minjeong's exposed stomach. "Your abs look cute," she teased.

Minjeong covered her belly immediately, her cheeks flushing a pinkish hue. "Do not concentrate on it!"

"Why not? It's cute," Jimin poked Minjeong in an area where her arms weren't able to completely cover her belly.

"Jimin!" Minjeong backed down, giggling. "At least I'm dressed appropriately for a performer tonight."

I rolled my eyes as both girls looked judgingly at me. "Alright. You are both going too far now..." then I concentrated. I've manipulated a Glade Lord's perception by changing the timing of my strikes — changing how I look should not be that difficult.

I felt faerie dust move out of my body and I thought — I want to look good, no... appropriate for the event — appropriately good to be exact. The dust swirled as if it cannot understand what I want.

"What are you doing?" Minjeong asked.

I thought clearer, like I'm giving instructions to a tailor I didn't have — "I want to look good in a smart casual attire appropriate for the showcase." That sounded too "legalese" in my mind — then again, fae love contracts too, something about the fine print, maybe faerie dust works the same.

I heard Jimin and Minjeong's gasps before I opened my eyes as I felt the dust settle over my clothes.

"How did you —?" Minjeong whispered.

"You look... dashing, Seren," Jimin said in awe.

I looked down on myself, the hood I had was now a coat, my gray tshirt became a white buttoned shirt, my jeans appeared as slacks, and my sneakers turned into elegant leather shoes.

I smirked smugly, "Faerie dust."

Jimin approached and linked her arm around mine, "Now that's my date."

I scoffed, "So you didn't consider me your date with what I actually wore?"

"No," Jimin teased. "You were just a friend that came with me. Now you're my date."

I smirked and chuckled. "Women," I teased sarcastically.

Minjeong and Jimin chuckled before another voice breaks through, tentative, almost hesitant.

"Minjeong..."

We turned to see Kim Chaewon — and if the right side of my heart stopped beating for Jimin — the left side stopped for Chaewon. She wore a simple brown one piece dress that stretched maybe two or three inches off of her hips, exposing lean and slender thighs, and ending with black heels.

I was speechless, and I was thankful that Jimin was as well — because pretty wasn't enough to describe Chaewon at the moment. If Jimin looked elegantly mature, Chaewon looked like a first love that jumped off the pages of a book — which she probably actually was to me.

"Chaewon!" Minjeong exclaimed as she rushed towards her sisters arms. "I thought you can't make it. You said you might be busy."

"I already gave you my word didn't I?" Chaewon replied softly while hugging Minjeong tightly by her waist. "And besides, Aeri would give me an earful if I won't come."

"Where are they, by the way?" Minjeong asked.

"Aeri's at the office, doing a mountain of what is supposedly my paperwork — particularly about the recent Wild Hunt attack here, just so I can come here. Eunchae's at the castle, liaising for the princess."

Minjeong nodded then pulled away. Chaewon looked at her from head to toe, "You look good."

Minjeong smiled, "I expected you to say you look better."

Chaewon chuckled, "I'll give this night to you. Tomorrow will be a different story."

Minjeong responded with a faint smile and a nod. Then she muttered a small "thank you," making Chaewon ruffle her hair.

Then Chaewon's gaze finally turned to us. She scanned Jimin and I, her gaze lingering at our linked arms for a heartbeat too long. Jimin adjusts her hold — which I thought was unnecessary and did absolutely nothing to calm my pulse.

Then Chaewon perks her head and forces a smile. "Hey, Seren. And Ms Yu Jimin, am I right?"

"And you're Kim Chaewon," Jimin replied. "The whole campus knows you."

Chaewon smirked. She slowly made her way in front of us, her gaze flicking frequently at our arms. "So, you're Seren's... 'it's complicated'."

Jimin nodded, "Sounds about right. And you're his... 'childhood friend'."

Minjeong made a face behind Chaewon. Something along the lines of, "this is awkward — and it's going to get ugly if you don't interfere."

"Uhmm.. shall we... get in?" I asked awkwardly.

"Good idea," Chaewon perked. She walked beside me and linked her arm on my other side — immediately making me both hyper conscious and claustrophobic. Jimin's eyes narrows and Minjeong slaps her own forehead. My heart on the other hand, beats a lot faster than it did when we fought Indarin last night.

"Alright," Minjeong sighed, shoulders dropping. "Follow me, I'll lead you to your seats." She already sounded so exhausted, and she hasn't took the stage yet.

We entered the amphitheatre. It's not packed with people, only about a few dozen. It probably makes sense since it's just a small showcase for two new members.

What doesn't make sense to me are the gazes — most coming from the boys — and most of the audience are boys considering five pretty girls will be performing. Their eyes spoke one question — "why is a baddie holding you on one side, and a hottie on the other?" — and what's worse is that both adjectives apply to both ladies.

Minjeong led us to the fifth row in the center. "You'll be seated here. Our campus coordinator will be seated right in front of you," she said as we took our seats.

"Madam Son, right?" Jimin asked.

Minjeong nodded.

"How long before the show starts?" Chaewon asked.

Minjeong looked at her watch. "In about ten minutes," she replied. "Which means I should probably get backstage." She then stole a glance at me, "You look stiff there, Seren."

And the girl had the nerve to tease me. I made a mental note to strangle her after this showcase, preferably out of her sister's eyes.

"Just go," I croaked, tense and tight, making Minjeong snicker.

"I hope you enjoy the show," Minjeong said as she made her way towards the aisles. "And, uhm..." she turned, making all three of us look at her. "Behave, please. All of you."

"No problem," Jimin replied.

"We will," Chaewon added.

"Help!" I wanted to say but otherwise kept it in my thoughts. If Indarin was unsuccessful in killing me, these two girls whose arms are still linked in mine would.

I tried to breathe to calm myself down as well as to establish my aero sense — and failed immediately. The fragrance of Jimin's soap mixed with the fiery scent of Chaewon's assaulted my nose — it was a pleasant aroma in an arguably unpleasant situation — and it messed with my concentration.

Their bodies holding on my side did not help. Their warmth seeped through the fabric of my clothes while their chests — Jimin’s heat pressed firm against one arm, Chaewon’s softer but no less distracting on the other — making heat crawl up my spine whether I wanted it or not.

"You okay, there, Seren?" Jimin asked, voice sultry, intentionally dragging me to hell.

"Yep," I choked. "Just allow me to breathe."

I adjusted on my seat and relaxed as much as the girls gave me the space to. I closed my eyes, then breathed heavily. I exhaled at the same time I activated aero sense. I expanded it to cover the entire ampitheatre — I counted around sixty seated people, not including the three of us. I sensed another twenty people backstage — Minjeong, Yizhuo, Jiwon, Lily, and Haewon, alongside staff members.

Nothing was strange at first, until I sense someone from the upper decks. They were seated in the middle — but what made them strange was the strange humming around their body. It's like the air was vibrating around this person, preventing me from getting a read on them — not their build, not their movements, not even their gender. What's stranger is that — Wild Instinct wasn't sending me any signals. All I know is that this person is there – watching.

"So, how's school?" Chaewon began, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Tedious," I replied quickly.

"How's roasting Riders of the Hunt?" Jimin countered.

"Tedious," Chaewon echoed. "You seem to be embracing this... 'it's complicated status' of yours," she added, clearly testing waters I'd rather not get tested.

"Because it's true. I wouldn't expect you to understand," Jimin said nonchalantly.

Chaewon huffed in response, "I couldn't care less who Seren dates — or who he's complicated with."

"Your arm around his says otherwise," Jimin snapped back.

I swallowed a lump in my throat. I wanted to stop them, but how? One word from me and it might escalate needlessly — and yet it's still escalating even if I'm not interfering.

"Can't his 'childhood friend' not hold him? You're not dating, as I recall."

"Chaewon," I winced.

"What?!" Chaewon snapped at me.

"Your..." I swallowed another lump in my throat. My lips are parched, not just because of the situation, but because of Chaewon — "Your grip... it's too hot."

"Oh shit," Chaewon let go immediately. Her palms were faintly glowing red, a small streak of steam rose from her fingers.

"Sorry, my power is connected to my emotions... shit. This is so embarrassing..." Chaewon slapped her forehead in the same way Minjeong did earlier.

"So you are jealous," Jimin smirked triumphantly.

"I am not!" Chaewon denied, her voice rising higher than she intended, earning shushes from some of the audience.

Chaewon made an apologetic gesture before snapping back at Jimin, "I am not jealous!"

Jimin just chuckled.

"Stop it both of you," I whispered urgently. "Before Chaewon gets too worked up and ends up burning the amphitheatre down."

Jimin rested her head on my shoulders, her victorious grin widening. Chaewon on the other hand, crossed her arms, face scrunched in the way I know she does whenever she's annoyed.

Damn it, I expected tension, not freaking immaturity — and somehow it makes it a lot harder to breathe.

Then I perked up again, someone left the backstage area and was humming with the same frequency as the one seated on the top deck. I held Jimin's hand and squeezed tightly. Jimin snapped her head to look at me.

"What is it?" She asked in concern. I felt Chaewon's eyes shift, her frustration shifting to curiosity.

The presence walked towards the aisles until I got a view of her. She was petite, wearing a black dress with a see-through streak by her chest. She smiled and bowed courteously at the audience. She talks to a few, bowing and greeting them warmly, then started making for the row of seats in front of us.

The lady stopped right in front of us. She smiled widely, almost genuinely and greeted, "Hi! You're Minjeong's and Yizhuo's guests right?"

All three of us nodded.

"I'm Yu Jimim. You're Madam Son, I presume?" Jimin asked.

"Wendy Son," she extended her hand and gently shook Jimin's.

Then she turned to me and offered her hand. "You're Seren Vale, right?"

"Yes, ma'am," I replied, taking her small and soft hand which she shook firmly, surprising me with the strength of her grip.

"The girls have talked a lot about you," Madam Son replied.

"All good things, I hope," I replied cautiously. Her touch is weird — like it's vibrating to some kind of frequency. Is this a siren ability? Because I never felt this from Jiwon. And just like the presence on the upper deck — Wendy Son's presence did not trigger any reaction from Wild Instinct.

"Of course," Madam Son with a teasing — almost a knowing smile before she let my hand go.

She turned to Chaewon last, "and you're the pyro-sorceress, Minjeong's sister."

"Kim Chaewon," Chaewon took Madam Son's hand and the campus coordinator winced and drew it back, their skin sizzling lightly from the contact.

"Oh gods! I'm sorry," Chaewon leaned forward, careful not to touch the coordinator while Jimin gave an amused chuckle behind me.

"It's fine, Ms Kim," Madam Son raised the burned hand. "If I hadn't known better, I'd say you're threatening me to treat your sister better," she added with a teasing glint in her eye.

"No, no," Chaewon replied, flustered. "It's just, my power is tied to my emotions and..." Chaewon's cheeks literally steamed when she blushed.

Madam Son just smiled kindly, "Then I hope the performances tonight will calm you down, especially your little sister's."

She gave us a confident wink before turning around and taking her seat.

She seemed normal, like Jiwon was. But that vibrating hum had me tense and vigilant. I now have two variables to consider — Madam Son, and that presence at the upper decks. I squeezed Jimin's hand again, praying that the night won’t go terribly wrong for reasons I can’t yet name as the lights went out.

The amphitheatre was filled with hushed murmurs as excitement slowly built. Faint shuffling was then heard at the stage, fueling more excitement.

"I heard Minjeong's going to open the show," Jimin whispered.

"She is," I replied, then leaned slightly towards Chaewon, "with a guitar, your best friend," I teased.

"Shut up," Chaewon snapped back.

Jimin leaned forward, "You play the guitar too?"

"No, she doesn't," I chuckled quietly.

"I said shut up, Vale," Chaewon hissed.

"But do you sing too?" Jimin asked in genuinely curiosity.

"A little bit," then Chaewon smirked before turning towards me, "Eunchae seemed to say my voice is the one you'd like to... how did you say it?"

"Please, don't," I murmured, feeling Jimin's gaze shifting towards me.

Chaewon's smirk grew wider, "You said my voice is one you'd like to hear to 'sing you to sleep,' or was it something along those lines?"

Jimin tilted her head, eyebrows raised.

I met her gaze, my brain scrambling for a response, "Well, I've never heard you sing yet. My opinion might change if —"

"Shut up, Seren," Jimin leaned back on her chair. Chaewon mirrored her actions, only she was the one smirking now.

Thankfully, the spotlights snapped and illuminated the center stage where Kim Minjeong was standing with an electric guitar in hand. Some of the audience gave tentative cheers and applause — then Minjeong started with a sick rock riff, and the crowd goes wild.

Minjeong's riff goes to a crescendo, then she stopped, the spotlights switched off, building suspense and anticipation. Then the beat drops at the same time the amphitheatres lights go on, revealing all five girls on stage jumping and banging their heads to the beat while Minjeong keeps playing with the widest smile I've seen on her face. Then the girls started singing some pop rock song.

Jimin leaned close to me, "Do you know this song?"

"No," I admitted. "But it sounds fun."

"She's gotten better," Chaewon commented with a proud smile. "So is Yizhuo," she smirked after a particularly high note from the Chinese girl.

"What do you think about the others?" I asked.

"That blonde girl's good, arguably the best outside Minjeong and Yizhuo. Then again, I'm biased," Chaewon grinned, pointing at Lily.

"I guess all that yapping pays off," Jimin quipped, making me chuckle.

"Yapping?" Chaewon asked.

"Lily yaps, the blonde one," I replied.

"Like, a lot," Jimin added.

"Never mention Australia when you're around her," I finished.

"Noted," Chaewon giggled.

"What do you think of Jiwon?" I asked, more to gauge if Chaewon suspects anything strange about the girl.

"Which one?"

"Girl with wavy black hair, the one who's less jumpy," I pointed, the latter comment was just to differentiate her from Haewon who was jumping around and having the time of her life.

"She's great," Chaewon replied, her head bobbing with the rhythm. "She has clear tone — more suited for pop maybe rather than rock but... she could hold her own."

I nodded. I expected the answer, if Jiwon seemed normal to us without Wild Instinct, then I don't really expect Chaewon to sense something different.

"And the other one? Haewon," Jimin leaned in.

Chaewon smirked, "She's energetic on stage — and she has great synergy with the team."

Jimin and I both nodded. I decided to just enjoy the show, but I kept my senses peeled for Madam Son and the presence at the top deck.

The showcase goes for a good hour — and it was genuinely fun. The girls were clearly enjoying themselves, which certainly bled through the small crowd. I could wager that these girls will be the talk of campus next week.

Their set ends in loud applause and a standing ovation. The girls lined up on stage, held their hands together, and bowed with smiles on their faces.

Then, Madam Son faces us — still with that warm and gentle smile — but now her eyes had a cold glint in them. "Now that was a good show, wasn't it?"

"It was," Chaewon beamed proudly at her sister as they made eye contact from the stage.

"It's a good thing you enjoyed it," the campus coordinator continued. "Now shall we start with the real show?"

"What are you talking about?" I asked, suddenly cautious above the applause and cheers.

Madam Son grins, like saying she had us right where she wanted us. Then she spoke, and the same filtering sensation in my ear triggered as I heard her words, "Everybody out. Except the three of you. And forget everything that happened in the amphitheatre after the performance. Thank you very much for your attendance."

The other audience members stiffened as they stopped clapping and cheering. They turned, their footsteps fell into the same rhythm, and made for the exit in an inhumanly organized manner.

For a moment, we didn't move... we can't move, as we stared in shock at the smiling coordinator.

"What the hell was that?" Jimin asked, a hand on her ear.

"Compulsion," Chaewon's eyes widened at the realization.

"You're a siren!" I made to reach in my pocket for the compact staff Sullyoon gave me — and I was immediately back on my ass in my seat.

Madam Son moved too quickly, her feet morphed into what seemed like a raptor's feet, talons pinning me down the leather seat.

"What the fuck —!" I cursed.

Chaewon made to move, her fist blazing with flame when Madam Son held her wrist just in front of her smiling face. "Tut, tut, tut, young sorceress. You wouldn't want anything to happen to your sister don't you?"

Chaewon's gaze snapped to the stage to the surprised faces of Minjeong and Yizhuo. Then Madam Son uttered two words — "Do it," and Haewon and Lily pounced behind Minjeong and Yizhuo, their feet morphing like Madam Son's and pinned the two sophomores down on the ground.

Minjeong and Yizhuo shrieked in surprise.

"What the hell—!" Yizhuo screamed as Haewon's feet pinned her down, talons scraping the stage floor beside her head.

"Sorry, Ning," Haewon said remorsefully. "We're just following our mistress."

"What's the meaning of this, Lily?!" Minjeong screamed.

"Look, Madam Son just wanted to talk to Seren —" Lily began.


"This is not how you start a talk!" Minjeong snapped back.

"Really, really, sorry, girls," Jiwon said, regret filling her voice. "I did want us to be friends."

"Let them go!" Chaewon yelled.

"Or what? Or you burn the amphitheatre down? What good is that gonna do?" Madam Son countered. "I suggest you sit down, sorceress," she lets go of Chaewon's fist, the flame fizzling out but still sizzling. Madam Son turns to Jimin, "both of you. Sit down, please."

Reluctantly, both girls sat back down.

"Now that's better, ain't it?"

"The fuck you wanted to talk about?!" I snapped from my chair.

"Stay still," Madam Son presses her foot tighter, her rear talon piercing my clothes as I feel it draw blood.

Blood — good, I thought. Now the Death Dealers can smell it and send help. Her talons however, disrupted the flow of faerie dust on my body reverting my clothes to what they once were.

"Oh. Faerie dust. You've got good control of it," Madam Son compliments.

"You're fae, Seren?!" Chaewon exclaims in shock.

"Not exactly," the coordinator replies. "You're something more, aren't you?"

"You know what Seren is?" Jimin asked.

"What the hell are all of you talking about?!" Chaewon snapped again.

"Only hints," Madam Son replies.

"Let me guess, you're not gonna tell me," I said defiantly.

"Sharp boy," she smiled at me. "For the record, I'm not telling you because I'm not the one who's supposed to tell you."

"Then why do all this?"

"Because all the players aren't here yet."

"Who are you waiting for then?"

Wendy Son leans in, smile never leaving her lips, then she whispers, "the one hiding in your shadow."

As if on cue, a glaive emerges from my shadow, forcing the coordinator to leap off of me. She spread her hands which morphed into wings with blue feathers before hovering towards a seat two rows below us.

In front of me, a red cloaked figure stood, glaive in hand. "Saerom," I muttered.

"Death Dealer!" Chaewon tenses and I put an arm over her to hold her back.

"Hold, Chaewon! She's a friend!"

Chaewon looked at me like I was crazy then turned to Jimin. "It's a lot crazier than it actually is," Jimin remarks.

"Fuck!" Chaewon curses. "If anything happens to Minjeong —" she's burning — literally. Her skin was glowing red like she might explode at any time.

"I won't let anything happen to her. Just trust me." I held her eyes for a moment that lingered too long considering our current predicament.

"Fine," Chaewon grumbled.

"Are they done talking?" Wendy asked.

"Why lure them, Son Seungwan?" Saerom asked.

The coordinator's grin suddenly falters into something darker and more dangerous, "I don't recall allowing you to use my true name, Death Dealer."

"Because the one you allowed to is the one you expected to come, am I right?" Saerom bit back.

Wendy shrugged, "It doesn't matter. If I beat you, she has no choice but to come."

"You're pretty confident that you can beat me."

The coordinator scoffed, "Just because you killed a Glade Lord last night doesn't mean you're invincible, Lee Saerom." Then she turned towards me, "Remind me how many of you were there when you slew that Glade Lord, Seren?"

"Seven," I growled low.

"You killed a Glade Lord?!" Chaewon utters in shock.

"Later," I hissed.

"Exactly," Wendy continued. "It took seven of you to take down a Glade Lord, do you honestly think you can take me on one on one?"

"I guess we're about to find out." And Saerom lunged while Wendy took to the air.

"Take the left, Chaewon!" I yelled, taking Jimin's hand as I made for the right side of the row.

Chaewon hissed but otherwise followed what I said.

"Get to a safe corner," I told Jimin once we were at the aisles. She nodded and ran towards the side of the amphitheatre.

Saerom and Wendy clashed in the middle row, the sweep of her glaive contrasts with the thunder of the wingbeats of the campus coordinator. Chaewon and I on the other hand charged towards the left and right side of the stage respectively.

Jiwon moved to intercept Chaewon while Lily took flight towards me. Haewon stayed at the stage, now pinning both Minjeong and Yizhuo with her feet.

I drew the compact staff from my pocket and flicked my wrist. It extended just in time for me to swipe Lily's talons from the air.

The siren retreated and positioned herself right in between me and the stage.

On the other side, Chaewon was engaging Jiwon in hand to hand. I could tell that Chaewon was holding back though, she can't risk losing control of her power in this enclosed space. It won't just cause unnecessary damage, but it might risk Minjeong's safety as well.

We are at a disadvantage. The only thing that keeps this situation from spiraling is the fact that the sirens don't seem to be interested in killing us. That also begs the question, what do they really want?

Lily didn't give me time to think when she spoke in her heavy australian accent, "I'm really sorry, Seren —"

"Tell that to Minjeong and Yizhuo," I spat. "And if you're really sorry then free them right now."

"You know I can't do that," she said remorsefully.

"Why? Is Wendy Son the matriarch of Verrath's siren cove?"

"No," Lily answered. "But she's like... her right wing."

Fuck this, I thought. I reduced aero sense to combat range — about ten feet. Then I activated faerie dust again, took my stance, and raised my staff to point directly between Lily's eyes.

"You're gonna make me pass, one way or another."

Lily sighed, dropping her shoulders like she really didn't want to do this. Then I charged, thrusting with my staff. I applied faerie dust, making the strike look slower than it is to confuse Lily.

And the siren blocked — much to my surprise. Lily backtracked, putting distance between us. The hell — was it a fluke? Only one way to find out, I guess.

I struck again, this time in quick succession and still altering the actual speed of my attacks — and Lily either blocked or dodged all of them.

I retreated, confusion clouding my thoughts.

"I can see what you're doing," Lily spoke up. "You're using faerie dust so I can't predict the timing of your strikes. But glamour relies on visual cues, we sirens have echolocation, so I can still hear how fast you're actually going."

Shit. Just my luck, they have a way of bypassing my glamour.

Just then, a figure crashes in front of the stage. The dust cleared to reveal Lee Saerom, growling as Wendy Son dives towards her. The Death Dealer thrusts her glaive, the siren swiped it aside with one raptor feet, then she clutches Saerom's head with the other.

She pulls her close, then she screams, and all non sirens in the theatre covered their ears. It was just a short burst, but it sounded like a sonic boom aimed directly at the Death Dealer. Blood streaks down Saerom's ears, her eyes rolling to the back of her head before Wendy lets her body crumple on the floor.

The battle pauses as Wendy looks down at Saerom. On the other side, Chaewon's eyes were literally blazing as Jiwon took the high ground by flying. On the stage, Haewon watched the fight with a concerned expression, like she wanted it to end quickly because she doesn't like what she's doing to her "friends" who were wriggling and struggling to break free. And on my side, Lily kept her eyes on me.

"Well, that wasn't so hard," Wendy comments, reverting to her human form, "so much for being a Glade Lord Slayer."

Then she picks up Saerom's glaive effortlessly. "So, are you just gonna let me kill your most trusted subordinate or are you going to come out?!" She screams in the air — no answer except the crackling heat of Chaewon's power.

Wendy shrugged, "Fine by me then." She raises the glaive high over the Death Dealer. "Last chance, Irene Bae!"

"Saerom!" I yelled, hoping it would wake the Death Dealer — no response.

And Wendy Son swings the glaive down — only to be intercepted by another glaive that emerged from Saerom's own shadow.

The coordinator was flung back, dropping the glaive as she morphed her arms and flapped her wings to stabilize herself. She turns her gaze down towards the front of the stage, and her grin reemerges.

"Finally, how long has it been, half a millenium?" She asks Bae Joohyun who was glaring at her with blood red eyes that scream murder.

The Pale Princess growls low and threathening, "You go too far, Seungwan." I then made a mental note not to anger Joohyun as the air around us became opressively heavy.

"Is that any way to talk to your old flame?" Wendy smirks as if she was unaffected, settling down, reverting her wings back into her arms and taking a seat in the middle of the third row.

"Speak, Son Seungwan," Joohyun points her glaive at the siren.

"I'd love to," the siren replied. "But like I said, not all the players are here yet."

I then risked expanding my aero sense just to get a read of the whole theatre. That was when I sensed a slender cat running towards the stage, rushing quietly towards Haewon.

I raised my head to see pink fur — Sakura? Why is she here? And why is she engaging?

The siren perks, as if sensing something approaching. She turned a split second too late before the werebeast intel operative leapt behind her.

Sakura morphed into her human form, pushing the surprised siren down the floor. She held one of her arms behind her while she pinned the other with her knee. Her other hand wraps around Haewon's neck, "Go ahead, young one," Sakura snarled as Haewon struggled, "you so much as move that pretty mouth and I'll snap your prettier neck."

Minjeong and Yizhuo rose in panic, they were then met by Jimin and Kang Haerin. Jimin took both of them by their sleeve and pulled them aside while Haerin draped a coat over Sakura's naked form.

"Haewon!" Jiwon screamed on the side and dove down towards her colleague. Chaewon acted immediately, she leapt, flames bursting from her fists, boosting her forward until she intercepted Jiwon in the air.

They crashed on the stage, Jiwon pinned below Chaewon who had a flaming fist raised against the siren.

"Don't you dare move nor speak," Chaewon growled coldly. "Or this fist will mark your cheek forever."

Jiwon breathed heavily but otherwise stayed still.

Lily made to move but hesitated when she saw me ready to intercept.

"Lily," I said as gently as I can. "Just, don't."

Lily glanced at Wendy, probably waiting for orders. The coordinator however, was still grinning while locked in a death stare with the Pale Princess.

"Brilliant," Wendy stands up from her seat. She turns around then leans against the seat behind her. She looks up — towards the upper deck.

"Everyone's here, right?" She calls from below.

I expanded my aero sense to cover the entire theatre at the same time I looked up. It was the same presence that I was unable to properly read before the start of the showcase. Now, she... for it was a girl, was now leaning against the railings, watching the chaos like it was a play.

"Who the hell is she?" I asked Lily.

"That," Lily began, "is the matriarch's left wing — and the seer of Verrath's siren cove —"

Seer — the one we've been looking for. The reason why Minjeong and Yizhuo volunteered to infiltrate the choir — and she's here? Just like that?

"What's her name?" I followed.

Lily looked up, the girl was looking at all of us one by one, like she was studying us or looking at our futures, then judging if we were worth all the trouble.

"Her name... is Lee Jieun."

Lee Jieun then sighed from the upper deck. "Yeah. They're all here, at least those I saw who were here."

The seer jumps off the railing, her arms turning into yellow wings with the tips of her feathers fading into purple. The siren glides slowly towards the second row then takes a seat just beside the seat Wendy is leaning against, her wings reforming back into her arms.

She scans the stage and those still below it. "Kim Chaewon, the pyro-sorceress. Bae Joohyun, the Pale Princess. Miyawaki Sakura, an intel operative of the werebeasts. And Seren Vale, the hybrid."

"What hybrid?" Chaewon growls from the stage.

"Your questions don't get to be answered... yet," Jieun replies calmly. "Now why don't you all... stoke your flames and let's talk in a civilized manner."

"Says the one who orchestrated a hostage taking," Sakura growled.

"You have my word that we won't escalate any further —"

"And you'd forgive us if we can't trust you that easily," I snapped back.

"Geez, tough audience," Wendy snickered.

Jieun sighed, "You hold the most leverage now, Bae Joohyun," she spoke directly to the Pale Princess.

"Do we?" Joohyun asked speculatively, her glaive still raised. "We're still outnumbered as far as I can see."

"I'm a non combatant," Jieun replied. "Lee Saerom can dispatch me quickly, and you and Wendy are equals —"

"We are?" Wendy quipped then looked over her shoulder to wink at Joohyun.

Jieun sighed wearily, "We'll be in this stand off for the whole night, Pale Princess."

Joohyun slowly lowered her glaive, "Fine. Let them go."

I nodded to Lily and she mouthed a thank you before rushing towards her seniors. Sakura hesitated for a bit before loosening her hold, allowing Haewon to fly and join her comrades. Chaewon however, was in an unforgiving mood.

"I'm not taking orders from a vampire," she growled, the heat coming from her made Jiwon wince.

"Minjeong's safe, Chaewon. Let her go," I pleaded.

Chaewon's jaw tightened as she considered her next actions.

Then Minjeong spoke, softly, tenderly, almost pleadingly, "Let her go, please, Chaewon."

Chaewon growled but her fire slowly dissipated at her sister's words. And with great hesitation, she rose on her feet, finally allowing Jiwon to scuttle towards her other bandmates.

I took my place by Joohyun's left. Sakura dropped from the stage, adjusting the coat Haerin gave her before taking the Pale Princess's right. Chaewon took center stage, and behind her, Haerin and Jimin protectively covering Minjeong and Yizhuo.

"Now we can talk, right?" Jieun asked, her voice silky smooth.

I braced myself, whatever's going to be said, a part of me thinks I'm not going to like it.
"You talk first," Bae Joohyun snapped. "Since you instigated all of this."

"Did we?" Jieun asked. "I seem to recall it was your side who wanted to infiltrate the cove to get to me. Isn't that why those two human sophomores volunteered to join the band? To infiltrate it and get some information about me. Now I'm here, so ask away. I'll answer what I can."

I was about to speak when Chaewon cut through, "What do you mean you volunteered to infiltrate the cove?" She spun around and slowly made for Minjeong.

Jimin was immediately in front of her, "Now calm down, Chaewon."

"You don't get to order me, Ms It's Complicated. I'm talking to my sister —"

"I just wanted to help —" Minjeong stuttered, shaking where she stood.

"By putting your life on the line?!" Chaewon raised her voice, the boards below her creaking with the heat she's emitting. "You could have died tonight!"

Then she turned towards me, "And you allowed this?" She accused me with a voice so full of contempt that it riled me up.

"I didn't want to. We gave her time to think about —"

"You should have turned her down from the start! You shouldn't have given her any time at all!"

"I wanted to be brave just like the two of you!" Minjeong yelled, effectively shutting both of us up.

Chaewon's breathing was labored, like she might erupt at any time. "Minjeong, there are other ways —"

"But the opportunity was right in front of me!" Minjeong snapped before Chaewon can finish. "If I let it go, then I'm being a coward. If I let it go, I'll just be stuck as the sorceress's sister forever."

Yizhuo hesitantly moves beside Minjeong, reaching behind her to hold her arms.

"You don't need to prove anything to anyone, Kim Minjeong —"

"But I need to prove something to myself! Just because you're now a fucking sorceress does not mean I have to wallow thinking what I could be! I wanted to be brave, and I saw a time where I could be, so I took it." Minjeong's voice broke.

None of us spoke, it felt like if we add our voices into this... chaos, it would just break the both of them more than if this wasn't let out in the open. Jieun was observing with a neutral expression, like she's already seen this play out while Lily and Haewon had tears in their eyes.

"I know the risks," Minjeong continued, tears streaming down her face, "Seren and the others have listed everything, they tried to stop me multiple times — and still I chose to do this. Because I want you to be proud of me!"

"I already am proud of you," Chaewon said in a muffled voice, her heat dissipating at her sister's words.

"Then how come I don't feel it?" Minjeong said almost in a half-whisper, like even she didn't want to say it.

Chaewon recoiled as if she was shot by one of her own fireballs. "Minjeong, I —"

"No, save it. Whatever I say will be irrelevant anyway, you'll still be the sorceress and I'll still be the little sister who can play the guitar."

And she storms off, followed by a hesitant Ning Yizhuo.

"Kim Minjeong —" Chaewon moved to follow but was interrupted by Lee Jieun.

"Stay, sorceress," the seer spoke, making Chaewon freeze on the spot. She turned, rage steaming in her eyes.

"I'm going to talk to my sister, and you're not going to stop me," she growled.

"I am stopping you," the seer replied calmly. "You're not the person she needs to talk to — at least not right now. Do us all a favor and follow the young lady, Ms Yu Jimin."

Jimin's eyes fluttered in confusion, "Me?" She asked, pointing to herself.

"Yes. You've been a sister to Kim Minjeong during Kim Chaewon's absence, I believe you can... understand her more than the pyro-sorceress can — especially with her current state of mind," Lee Jieun replied.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't burn you all right now," Chaewon growled, her eyes slowly blazing with small tongues of flame.

"Because what's about to be said concerns you as well," Jieun answered. "And if you talk to her now, you risk preventing awakening her potential later."

"What are you talking about?!"

"You'll see by the end of the night. For the time being, you stay here, and Yu Jimin talks to your sister."

Chaewon's fists were sparking as she held herself back. Then with obvious effort, she breathes deeply, the fire in her eyes dissipates and she nods, "Fine. But I'll still talk to her later," she said turning towards Jimin.

Jimin nodded and immediately made for the backstage.

"Go with them, Haerin," Sakura orders, and the young werebeast nods and follows Jimin.

"Now, talk," Chaewon growled. "Tell me what my sister risked her life for."

Jieun smiled softly then turned towards me, "I believe you have a question to ask me, Seren Vale."

I swallowed a lump in my throat. How can I turn this thing about me when two of the girls I've known since childhood just had a fallout?

"Just ask, Seren," Wendy said as if reading my thoughts — and uncharacteristically soft might I add.

I took a deep breath before speaking, "Fine. What am I?"

"A hybrid, just like me," Lee Jieun replied.

"Just like you?" I asked the question that was painted on everybody's faces.

Jieun nodded, "My mother was a siren and my father was a human mage. When I was born, I looked pretty much like a normal human. But when I turned thirteen, my powers as a seer emerged, and along with that, the siren traits I inherited from my mother."

"So what am I then?"

Jieun smiled faintly, "I think you know one half of it."

Damn — so the incubus theory is true. I closed my eyes — and I wanted to fucking scream. There's already a lot of evidence that points to it — particularly the ability assimilation after sex. But somehow, I was still in denial. I didn't want it to be true, not the fact that I have that ability — but the fact that I have demon's blood in my veins — the Blood of Lilith to be precise.

"And the other half?" Sakura inquired, sensing my hesitation.

"Only one kind of bloodline can stabilize the other half — although who it is exactly, only your grandmother knew," Jieun replied softly.

The weight of the revelation crashed on me like Aeri dropping a thousand barriers on my very being. I dropped down, sitting at the carpeted floor of the amphitheatre as I relived my entire life while my chest tightens.

"What the hell does that all mean?" Chaewon asked from the stage. She's still obviously irritated, but she's struggling to soften her tone as she sees me breaking down.

"It means," I hesitated. I gave one big breath, and the tightening in my chest barely loosens.

"Unholy hybrid. Powers that heaven and hell bestowed upon you," Joohyun repeats the words Indarin used to taunt me last night. "They all make sense now."

I stifled a laughter, which turned into a chuckle, until I was laughing almost maniacally. Sakura shifts towards me, kneeling down to press an arm on my shoulder. "Seren," she whispers softly.

I calmed down slowly, then felt tears dropping down my eyes. I turned towards Jieun.

"Please be lying," I pleaded.

Jieun smiled, "I knew your adopted grandmother, Lady Allindra. She was one of the most powerful seers not just in Verrath, but in the world. This moment, Seren, is not from my own vision," she stood then slowly made her way towards me.

She knelt in front of me, placing her fingers to my chin and pulling my face so that it was face to face with hers. She was gentle — too gentle that it hurt, because it means she's telling the truth. And her eyes, the colors are always shifting — it's like looking at a kaleidoscope.

"This is a vision passed down by your grandmother to me," she began. "She saw this, all of this," she gestured at the amphitheatre. "She saw that this is where you'll learn what you are. And this is the moment when she will say to you — if she were still here, that it doesn't matter."

"You mean to tell me that what my blood is made of doesn't matter?!"

"It doesn't..." Jieun replied softly, withdrawing her fingers on my chin. "Because one woman who loves you deeply just told you that the choices you make is what makes you human — your blood doesn't make you a monster."

I released a heavy shudder, and along with it, a large chunk of weight off my chest. I recalled my conversation with Jimin just this Sunday. How we talked about sacrifices, being human and being a monster. Can I still say the same knowing what I am right now?

Then Joohyun places her glaive to my chin and lifts my head to meet her gaze. "You have a rare gift, Seren," she said softly. "Most of us here are now defined by what we are. Me as a vampire, Sakura as a werebeast, even Jieun and Seungwan as sirens. But you, you still have a chance to decide who you are. Your blood does not define you."

"You are who you choose to be, Seren," Jieun finishes, and memories of my grandmother flooded my mind as tears now spill unrestrained from my eyes.

"Those —" I broke into a sob.

"Those were the last words she gave you, right before she passed, am I right?" Jieun said tenderly.

I chuckled again as I wiped my tears. This bout of laughter was different though, it's acceptance, not of my blood, but the final words of my grandmother in its full meaning — and somehow it made everything lighter.

Chaewon then jumps from the stage to huddle beside me, "What is in your blood, Seren?" She asked, the fire in her now completely replaced by a warm softness.

I scoffed before turning towards her, "Don't judge me."

She scoffed then spoke softly, "I've been judging you since we were kids. What makes this any different now?"

I smiled then nodded. "I have both demon's and angel's blood in my veins. Chaewon."

"And grandma Ali knows about this? And she's a seer?"

I nodded.

"We have a lot of catching up to do," she chuckled.

"Settle everything with Minjeong first, then we'll talk."

Chaewon nodded as regret flashed quickly in her eyes.

"You mentioned angel blood," Sakura began. "But which one?"

"That I do not know. Lady Allindra never told me," Jieun replied as she stood.

"Did you know my parents?" I asked.

"No. What I know of you is limited to what Lady Allindra told me."

"So the mystery isn't fully solved. We still need to know which angelic bloodline Seren belongs to," Joohyun remarks.

"You talk like you know what demonic bloodline he hails from," Chaewon commented.

"We do know," I replied. Our eyes met again and hers was looking at me expectantly. Every bloodline gets worse — I thought. What makes it even worse though, is if I lie now.

"Lilith's."

Chaewon's eyes closed and her head dipped. I know – out of every demon, it's the Lady of Lust. I don't know if it makes things worse but it certainly doesn't make it better.

Then she raises her head, purpose coming back in her eyes as she stared at the seer. "You said this concerns me too. How?"

"A war is coming," Jieun remarked.

"We can feel that," Joohyun said, looking over at Wendy.

"And Eclipse Garden will be at the center of it," Jieun continued.

"Wait, what?" Chaewon and I rose.

"You two have been chosen by Princess Jang Wonyoung as liaisons. I'm here to tell you both that that job will be an impossibly difficult job."

"It's just a school thing —" Chaewon began.

"Which shall ripple across all Night Folk society," Jieun said. "When the past generation sees this generation moving towards radical change, they shall push back. Add to that external factors like the Wild Hunt and other hostile forces."

Then she turns towards Chaewon and I, "Your Garden won't remain a 'mere proof of concept,' or a sanctuary. Soon it will become an idea, which shall turn into a revolution. And both of you shall be the pillars of this revolution."

She then fixed her eyes on Chaewon, "Set your hearts. Eclipse Garden shall require your full commitment and devotion."

Chaewon nodded reluctantly.

"Then why are we here?" Sakura asked. "You waited for your 'players' to arrive before you started to talk. That's the Pale Princess and I. So I ask again, why are we here?"

Jieun smiled when she turned to the werebeast. "There will come a time when Eclipse Garden becomes too big to ignore. The Triarchy will oppose it, as will your father," she glances at Joohyun.

"Your hearts need to be set as well, for the protection of the Garden. You'll need to find a way to have your race's full support on this."

Sakura scoffed, "Good luck with the Triarchy."

"My father's worse," Joohyun replied.

"All the same," Jieun responded, "we need the support of your races to ensure the Garden's survival. If not —"

"Then we lose the war you're talking about," Sakura finished, and Jieun nodded.

"Does your Matriarch fully support this?" Joohyun asked.

Jieun paused, her eyes meeting Wendy's in a silent conversation. Then she dipped her head, "No. I can see that Taeyeon won't support this. Even with my advice and Seungwan’s support… she’ll still demand proof. Seungwan and I acted on our own tonight."

"That's dangerous —"

"Oh stop pretending like you care, Joohyun," Wendy snapped from the seats. "You're going to make me blush."

Joohyun bit her lip in annoyance. "I wouldn't want to mess with Taeyeon unnecessarily —"

"But you're willing to mess with me?" The siren quipped with a wink, and the vampire princess just rolled her eyes in surrender.

"Like I said," Jieun said with a faint smirk on her lips. "Taeyeon would want a proof of concept so... Jiwon, Haewon, and Lily will join your Garden."

"What?!" All three younger sirens perked.

"Hold on a minute, they just betrayed —" I began to protest.

"They acted on our orders," Jieun countered immediately. "I know they genuinely wanted to be friends. And Wendy and I took that away from you. And for that we are sorry," Jieun then bowed — and I was at a loss for words.

I was ready to decline her proposal, but now, here she is, bowing in apology. The seer of Verrath's siren cove and the left wing of the matriarch, how the hell am I supposed to say no now?

Chaewon and I exchanged glances. She shrugged as if saying "Eclipse Garden was your idea."

"Fine," I sighed. "But they should also apologize to Minjeong and Yizhuo."

"We're already planning on it," Jiwon replied.

Jieun nodded. "Now is that all? Or do you still have any questions?"

I raised my hand and Jieun turns to me. "What does my bloodline have to do with Eclipse Garden?"

Jieun's face then became deadly serious, "A boy whose blood is an unholy fusion of heaven and hell, leading a group of radicals, revolutionaries, not just human, but also Night Folk. Do you remember your conversation with Shin Yuna and Seol YoonAh the second time they were at your home?"

I closed my eyes, remembering that night exactly and the words she wants me to say. "For Verrath to coexist, it needs two symbols..."

"One to unite under..." Jieun starts.

"And one to unite against." I finished.

"You're saying I will be that symbol?" I asked.

Jieun nodded, "but which one, now that, shall be your choice."

My breath shook. That’s a lot of responsibility for a broke college guy in his early twenties.

Jieun slowly approached me, "Do not be an island, Seren Vale. Listen to those you trust. More importantly, listen to those who love you — Yu Jimin, Kim Chaewon, Lee Chaeryoung, Shin Yuna, Seol YoonAh, and even those who would still come. They will try their best to steer you in the path they believe to be right."

Then she places a soft hand on my shoulder, "But above all, Seren. Do not forget what you chose to become."

I met her eyes, and the kaleidoscope seemed to stop for a moment. My grandmother's last words echoed through Lee Jieun, "You are who you choose to be."

And I nodded. Jieun smiled then she turned to Chaewon.

Gently, she places her hand on her cheeks, with Chaewon recoiling for a second. Jieun strokes her cheek with her thumb, "Talk to your sister. Whatever happens tonight, make sure what happened to you won't happen to her."

Chaewon furrowed her eyebrows in confusion and curiosity. Jieun just smiled gently, "You'll understand tonight."

Then she turns and looks at Joohyun who was now helping a slowly stirring Saerom on her feet. "And you," Jieun calls with surprising casualness, making Joohyun snap her head. "Fix whatever happened between you and Seungwan. I'm tired of hearing her whine about how much she misses you."

"I do not!" Wendy's vehement denial filled the entire amphitheatre.

Jieun chuckled, which was pleasantly disarming.

I then leaned towards Chaewon, "She sounds just like you before the showcase started," I teased.

"Shut up, hellspawn," Chaewon quipped.

"I prefer heaven-sent," I quipped back, making Chaewon roll her eyes and Sakura stifle a laugh.

Joohyun gave a faint smile at Wendy's outburst. "She turned my second into this," she said as she slung Saerom's arm around her shoulder. "I think she should apologize to her first, then we'll talk."

"Over my dead body," Wendy replied sassily.

Jieun laughed as she rejoined the sirens. "Now that all has been taken care of. We shall be off. Best of luck to all of us."

And with a final smile, she and Wendy morphed their arms into wings and flew towards the upper deck of the theatre. Jiwon, Lily, and Haewon however, remained for a moment.

"We're really sorry, Seren," Haewon began.

I just nodded, not trusting myself to talk because I might say something I can't take back.

"We'll let Minjeong and Yizhuo cool down in the weekend and..." Lily stuttered.

"And we'll apologize when we meet again in campus this Monday," Jiwon finished.

Again, I just nodded.

The girls pursed their lips before bowing one last time. They turned and flew towards the upper deck, following their superiors as they left the amphitheatre.

Joohyun then walked with Saerom on her shoulders towards the Death Dealer's dropped glaive. She picked it up and handed it towards the now conscious vampire. "She still can't hear well," Joohyun began. "Seungwan's sonic scream was always powerful. Good thing she held back. Anyway, we're going back to the coven, Seren. Just... draw blood again if you need our help — I think Chaeyoung will be on standby now."

"How's Soyeon?" I asked.

"Recovering. But she's still in no state to fight."

I nodded. "Thank you, Joohyun."

"Send Jimin my regards." Then she dissolved to shadow together with Lee Saerom.

That left Sakura, Chaewon, and I in the amphitheatre.

"Should I go ahead?" Sakura asked. "You both look like you need to talk about something."

"Yes, please," Chaewon replied softly to my surprise.

Sakura nodded. She gave my shoulder a quick tap before making for the backstage area.

Chaewon closed her eyes. And I waited for her to speak. "I'm sorry. About Grandma Ali."

"It's okay."

"I've heard her passing from mom. I wanted to call you but..."

"I know."

"About Minjeong..." Chaewon spoke like a fire about to be put out.

"You need to talk to her..."

"I can't..."

"Kim Chaewon —"

"Not alone." And her eyes told me the question she wanted to ask.

Sensing my hesitation, Chaewon continued, "You've been with us when we were kids. You were there when I was taken. And you've been with her since then. You know her more than I do..."

I felt the regret in her voice, not just for the words that were said, but also to those that were left unsaid.

"And I'm afraid — especially with what the seer said about her," she added softly.

"About her awakening her full potential tonight —"

"And that I should do everything I can so what happened to me does not happen to her."

"I don't know what any of those mean," I admitted.

"Neither do I. Which is also why I want you — no, I need you with me when I talk to her. I might say the wrong things without realizing and I —"

"Okay, Chaewon. I'll go with you."

Chaewon's eyes softened as she breathed a quick sigh of relief. "Thank you, Seren."

"Now let's go backstage, shall we?" I extended a hand towards her.

Chaewon smiled faintly, "Who will Jimin kill first if I take your hand?"

"Me first, then you," I replied with a smirk.

"Works for me," Chaewon took my hand as we walked backstage.