“Aren’t you tired of this?” Tara asked looking up at The Red King, eyes glistening with unshed tears Mark’s blood seeping into her dress. The Red King, Tyler as Emily had recently learnt, looked at Tara eyes briefly flashing with recognition, his grip on his sword weakening.
“I-” he started to speak before going rigid. His eyes briefly flashing red as he shook his head. “This is your fault, you betrayed me,” he said. Emily frowned, something was off. She couldn’t explain why she believed, every interaction she had with The Red King proved that this was just how he was. Cruel and arrogant, driven crazy by power but she knew that something wasn’t right.
“Take them to the dungeon,” The Red King spat as two of his knights rushed forward grabbing Tara and Mark. Both Emily and Lucas moved to stop them but with a wave of his hand they were thrown to opposite ends of the room, both crashing into the wall with a thud.
With shaky arms Emily tried to push herself up but The Red King had not finished his attack because a second wave of magic knocked her back down. Groaning in pain she tried to move but a red mist had surrounded her. Her eyes started to feel heavy and she found herself growing drowsy.
When she awoke, her head was pounding she tried to move but she was tied to something. Groggily she realized she was tied to a chair. She looked around seeing that they were at a long dining table. Lucas was across from her, head lolled to the side still unconscious. Emily frowned noticing that he was in a worse state, bruises and cuts littered his face. “Lucas.” she whispered harshly, kicking out trying to reach him. This is one time she actually was cursing being short.
“Even if you could reach him, he won’t wake up,” Emily whipped her head around to see The Red King, he sat at the head of the table looking at the two of them bored. Emily cursed him trying, struggling in her chair. “Oh save those looks for someone who cares,” he rolled his eyes. “And perhaps for the person who actually took out lover boy,” he said.
“And that wasn’t you?”
“Why would I lie?” The Red King asked rolling his eyes. “There would be no point, you wouldn’t be able to do anything if i did,” he said condescension clear in his tones. “If The White Queen couldn’t beat me what chance would a little girl from another world with zero magic could?”
“You call your sister The White Queen?” Emily asked. The Red King paused, lips turning down. He seemed confused which made Emily frown, this was similar to what happened in the crown room. “Does it make it easier to hurt her if she isn’t your sister-” she continued to press, watching as The Red King’s demeanor changed, his grip on his goblet getting so tight his knuckles turned white.
“Your majesty,” A woman said, rushing into the room. “Let me handle this, today has been so stressful for you,” she said glaring at Emily.
Emily’s eye widened as she stepped through the arch doors into the White Queen’s library, like the rest of her castle it was a sight to behold. Large windows let natural light in, making the marble floors sparkle as the White Queen walked. Waving her hand books flew off the many shelves floating in the air behind her.
“Come sit,” The Queen called as she sat down in a sitting area. “I imagine you have questions,” she turned to look at Emily. That was understatement , all she had was questions. She would be lying if she wasn’t skeptical of this, everytime she thought she would finally get answers something would happen.
“You have no idea,” Emily said as she sat down. Sat directly across The White Queen she couldn’t help but compare herself, Emily could imagine what a mess she was, her dress was ripped in several places. Her hair had long since given up on the styling her mother had done, even now she was pulling bobby pins out leaving them behind like Hansel and Gretel though who would find her she wasn’t so sure. In comparison the White Queen was pristine, her dark hair tumbled down in neat curls, a stark contrast to her all white ensemble. Her skin was so clear, no speck off dust in sight.
Emily opened her mouth to ask when she heard shouting. “Is he okay?” she asked, recognizing Hatter’s voice easily. ‘I better go check -” Emily said standing up ready to find out what was happening. He was her only real friend in Wonderland and she wasn’t going to leave him alone.
“He is fine, I imagine he is demanding Mark bring him here,” The White Queen said. “Lucas seems quiet fond of you,” she said.
“Lucas?” Emily asked still half standing.
“You didn’t very well think his name was The Mad Hatter did you?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “Here I recommend you start reading this,” she said, passing a leather bound book, The History of Wonderland. “I’ll get us some tea, as you can see we are a bit understaffed,” she said. “Tyler last raid has scared quiet a few friends off,”
“Tyler?”
“Read the book Emily, I’ll go get tea and save the boys from each other.”
“Another friend of yours?” Emily turned to the hatter who was still clutching at his torn up tophat mournfully, mumbling to himself and shaking his head. She sighed, rubbing circles into his back, she couldn’t understand what this hat had meant to him but seeing her only ally in this world so heartbroken was tough. “Maybe we can fix it?” she whispered to him.
The Hatter just hummed. “So Mr Bunny where are you taking us?” he asked after a moment's silence, seemingly back to normal. Or as normal as he could be.
“Your name is Bunny?” Emily snorted looking at the man in front of them.
“No, obviously not.” The man scowled. “Who name their child bunny?” he asked incredulously. Emily had to admit he didn’t look like a bunny, dark hair styled neatly, a three piece white suit with matching white gloves. “Now can you two hurry up, less talking more walking,” he said stomping his feet impatiently looking at a gold fob watch.
“I mean i am sure people have ,” Emily said. “And given the way this world is it very well could be -” she said to her side hatter nodded.
“And you didn’t answer my question so i think we should stop until you tell us where you are taking us,” Hatter said his hand quickly jutting out and stopping Emily mid step.
“To the safest place in Wonderland,” The man said obviously. “Unless ofcourse you’d like to stay in this maze and who knows maybe the Red King will forget that he is a vindictive crazy bastard and spare your lives,” he said shrugging nonchalantly.
“There is no safe place in Wonderland -” The hatter said.
“The white queen’s palace,” The man said, Emily raised an eyebrow at the reverence that seemed to come from the man.
“Is she the Red King’s partner?” Emily thought she whispered but judging from the glare she got from the man she was not quiet enough.
“No, don’t be absurd,” The man said. “Tara isn’t anything like him,” he said before his covered his mouth, eyes widening as he realized he said what Emily could only assume is the White Queen’s real name. “I mean the White Queen -” he started.
“Does everyone here have an actual name?’Emily asked. “If the White Queen has a given name surely that must be true for everyone else.” she said.
“Some people do, some people don’t and some people choose not to remember,” The man said with a sigh. “The Queen will explain if you two start moving,” he said.
“Whats your name Mr Bunny?” Hatter asked. “Tell us and then we will move,” he said.
“Mark,” The man said, a frustrated growl escaping his lips.
“Mark - the white rabbit,’ Hatter said as if he was tasting the words. “Mark the white rabbit and his White Queen - how interesting,” he said, sounding completely uninterested.
Hana blinked trying to comprehend the last hour of her life, from Minjae and the men in her apartment to being held hostage by a bunch of vigilantes . Well she was being held hostage by Minjae, the others seemed to be ignoring her presence. “Here,” she looked away from the quartet in front of to find an older man holding a mug, “you look like you could use a nice cup of tea,” he said, passing her the cup. The man was a striking contrast to his surroundings, his gray sweater, circle glasses and big smile looked out of place in this modern but dark cave. “You can drink it, it’s perfectly safe,” he said with a nod.
Hana hummed, bringing the cup up to her lips but not taking a sip. Sure this man may look trustworthy but nothing about this seemed perfectly safe. “Do you know how long I have to stay here?” she whispered to this man hoping not to draw anymore attention to herself. All she wanted to do was go home and by home far away from Gotham.
“It might be a while, Minjae is pretty determined to not let you out of his sight,” The man hummed. “Apparently you are his only lead,” he explained. “Though admittedly I find it hard to believe you are involved in any crime,” he said, tilting his head to the side. “How did you happen to run into Minjae?” he asked.
“He broke into my apartment,” Hana replied, finally taking a sip of the tea. The warmth from the tea spread throughout her body, she didn’t know what kind of tea this was but it certainly wasn’t like the store bought tea bags she normally had. “Apparently he wasn’t the only though,” she said. The images from the beaten up figures flashed in her mind, would they still be there when she got back? If she got back, she wasn’t sure if the lunatics dressing up as animals would let her go.
“How odd,” Teaman hummed to himself.
“Young, get away from my prisoner,” she heard Minjae shut out. Prisoner, if anyone should be locked up it should be him. She had lost count of how many laws he had broken when she got to possible manslaughter. Teaman raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth lifting up in amusement. It was safe to say he was the only one amused.
“Minjae don’t talk to M like that,” Batman sighed , “And you can’t just claim someone as your prisoner,” he added. Minjae scoffed in disagreement. “And Nightwing, what you were thinking of bringing her here, you should have dropped her off at the Police station,” he said. Hana scoffed, that was the biggest issue, not that his friend was going around attacking people - no it was that she was bought here.
“She was brought here because she is MY prisoner, this is my business, my legacy - stay out of it” Minjae snapped before Nightwing could get a word in edgewise. “Beside he her running around telling people about how the great Nightwing got beaten by a teenager,” Minjae snarked. “And i don’t know why i am getting scolded, i did the right thing or i would have if someone didn’t interrupt,” he said sending a withering glare to Nightwing.
“The right thing? When I got there you were about to kill someone,” he exclaimed, “Control your boy,” he said to Batman.
“A criminal,” Minjae spat, “Who knows what that scumbag was going to do to the girl if I hadn't intervened,” he said. It was hard for Hana to consider that things could have turned out much worse for her if Minjae hadn’t shown up, especially when she remembered he had tried to kill her with his sword. “Maybe I should have just let him continue, if the poor girl ends up paralyzed so be it,” he shrugged. Beside her M shook his head, a muttered oh no escaping his lips. Hana didn’t get the chance to ask what that was about because within seconds Nightwing had Minjae pinned against the wall, hands wrapped around his neck.
“Stop,” she shouted, surprising not everyone else but herself. Did she like or care about Minjae? No, not at all but she didn’t want to watch him get choked to death.
“Enough,” Batman called out and just like that everyone stopped. “M take Minjae and his new friend to the infirmary,” he said. Minjae opened his mouth to protest but stopped when he made eye contact with Batman. “Nightwing go home,” he added.
“Come along,” M said to Hana, “You can be my nurse for the day,” he said. Hana was too stunned to say anything but agree. “Come on young Master Minjae,” he said. Minjae huffed but followed his orders.
“I didn’t think you were this badly hurt,” Hana muttered as she eyed the large wound running across Minjae’s shoulders. Once he removed his armor it was clear to see Minjae’s battles were not as easily won as he boasted.
Minjae looked at her annoyed, “It’s nothing, just a flesh wound,” he huffed. “Yang is worse,” he said proudly.
“No civilian names,” M said, “And i have to agree with our guest, you need to be more careful,” M said dodging Minjae’s hand as he tried to clean the oozing wound.
“I don’t know who that is anyway,” Hana quickly interjected. She wanted to make it out of this place alive.
“Regardless he knows better, “ M said smirking as Minjae jumped when he dabbed at the wound. “And Miss if you don’t mind could finish up cleaning this wound for me,” M said as Minjae grumbled. “Oh shush, it could be so much worse than having a pretty girl tending to your wounds,” he teased.
“Shut up Young,” Minjae snapped.
“Oh he is blushing,” M said, looking over his shoulder at us. “You really are a chip off the old block, can’t get a date the normal way you have to make up a reason to meet one,” he said with a grin.
“Don’t you have your own children to annoy,” Minjae scoffed as Hana finished cleaning the wound. The conversation would have bothered her more if she didn’t feel as queasy as she was currently. Safe to say a career in the medical field was ruled out.
“I would but oddly thanks to my wife and I’s amazing parenting they are fully functional adults,” He said coming over. “Thank you nurse -” he paused, “I am sorry but can i atleast know your prisoner's name Minjae?” M asked, pulling over a chair and getting ready to put stitches in.
“Your daughter is an amateur thief,” Minjae deadpanned. “And i don’t know her name, i just know that she has links to Chesire,” he said.
“One I don't have links to anyone and two my name is Hana, you could have just asked me instead of calling me his prisoner.” she snapped.
“You said she was your aunt,” Minjae snapped.
“I said I was looking for my aunt who happened to own the apartment. You are the one that keeps saying she is Chesire,” Hana huffed. “Its not my fault you’ve got your information mixed up,” she said as Minjae turned to glare at her.
“Is your last name perhaps Choi?” M asked. Hana frowned, nodding slowly, not liking the fact that her whole name was known by these people. “So one would assume the aunt you are looking for is Jessica Choi?” Hana once again nodded. Maybe this man has information where her Aunt was.
“Then Minjae is correct, she is - well was Chesire, last i heard she gave up that life when her daughter was born,” M mused to himself. Hana shook her head. He was wrong, this was all some elaborate act, they clearly have done something to her aunt. Maybe this was a human trafficking ring, it would explain while Minjae was so socially inept. She knew her aunt, Sica wasn’t an assassin and she would know if she had a cousin.
“Hana,” M sighed, eyes shining with sympathy. “Maybe you should ask your mum about this?” he said. Her mother? There was now way her mother knew about this. Her mother who winces at the sight of blood and can’t watch action movies. If she knew her sister was supposedly an assassin her mother would have never let Hana near her. In the back of Hana’s mind there was a tiny voice saying but what if it is true, she had fuzzy memories of walking in on her grandmother and aunt having a very tense conversation, her mother frowning as her aunt talked about her side hustle.
No. They were lying.
“Maybe you shouldn’t mention my mother,” Hana sneered. “If i had to guess, i think you lot have something to do with my aunt being missing and are trying to justify it by assassinating her character,” she huffed.
“Young? Please he couldn’t hurt a fly,” Minjae huffed. “And trust me i had found Ches-”
“Enough Minjae,” They all froze, heads turning to face the booming voice. Hana had always found the idea that criminals would be scared by a man running around dressed hilarious but now she got it. His presence loomed throughout the room despite him just standing there. Hana sunk back trying to avoid his gaze, Minjae’s jaw clenched and balled his fist.
“Yes,” M agreed. “What we should be focusing on is getting Miss Choi home safely,” M said completely unfazed by Batman’s presence. “Her aunt Jessica is missing and considering her apartment has been comprised by Minjae and two thugs perhaps we should help her find other accommodation,” he said.
Hana shook her head. “No, I just need to get home, I don’t need any assistance,” she said. She didn’t trust them. Who knows what he meant by other accommodation? For all she knew it could be shipping container to another country.
“She isn’t going home, she is my only link to what happened to Grandfather,” Minjae said.
M raised an eyebrow. “Good idea B, since Miss Choi wants to go back to her aunts apartment even though it is clearly unsafe and Minjae wants to keep any eye on her and as he so pointed out has no interests in joining the titans, he can stay with Hana - that way she is safe and he gets his way,” M nodded.
“Glad we see eye to eye,” Batman said. “Get Minjae’s bag ready for him and remember to blindfold Miss Choi,” he said.
“You are kidding!”
“Father!” Minjae shouted but he was gone.
“Oh don’t be too mad, he has a harder conversation to have, he has to tell this one’s mother that he is moving out and in with a girl,” M giggled. “Oh to be a fly on the wall,” he laughed.
“He isn’t moving in with anyone,” Hana huffed.
M completely ignored her. “ Oh they grow up so fast, “ he laughed to himself.
God her mum really was right. Gotham was a garbage dump. The city seemed to be covered in a permanent fog, the streetlights flickered barely illuminating the rubbish filled streets. Goons in cars speed down the road yelling out all the people that were walking on the sidewalks. Hana knew better than to be walking the streets of Gotham at night, the statistics were a nationwide disgrace, but she had spent the last few hours at Gotham’s police station trying to find answers on what happened to her aunt.
A person has been missing for over a month and the good officers at Gotham PD just shrugged and oh so condescendingly said “Kid it’s Gotham,” Hana couldn’t help but scoff no wonder Gotham was considered a joke. That and the fact it is said to be protected by some lunatic dressed as a bat.
Trying to stay in the light Hana turned the corner hurrying to her aunt’s worn- down apartment. Despite its owner not caring enough to keep up with the upkeep they were kind enough to give her a week to clear out her aunt's belongings. She sighed as she prepared herself to climb up several flights of stairs, the elevator apparently stopped working in the 90s and still hasn’t been fixed. She tried to move as quick as possible, while she was sure there were some normal hardworking tenants living here there were absolute scumbags, she unfortunately had heard a few domestics during her brief stay here.
Getting to her floor, a shiver went down her spine. Her apartment door was flung open, she quickly covered her mouth to stop the scream that was threatening to spill out her lips. She was being robbed, well her aunt was, Hana barely had any belongings with her, just a suitcase or two of clothes and a few personal belongings.
“Just breathe,” She muttered to herself, counting to ten in her head trying to calm herself down. It was very hard to think when your heart was hammering away in your chest. What were her options? She could call the police but they had proven to be useless. She could ask a neighbor for help but there was a chance it was one of them currently in her apartment. Her thoughts were interrupted by a scream. She knew what she had to do even if there was a high chance she would die in this hellhole, but she had to be brave, stupid but brave.
Sucking in a breath, she clutched her phone, torch turned on as she tiptoed towards the door. Her leapt with every step forward. Standing in the doorway she took a second to mentally prepare herself for what she was going to see. None of the scenarios that flashed through her head could prepare for the sight in front of her.
One man was strapped to a wooden chair, the man was beaten up, bruises and blood covered his face, and a pair of socks were shoved in his mouth. There was another body on the floor, unmoving - oh god there was dead body in her apartment. She didn't get the chance to react because a sword was flying at her, she managed to dodge it by crashing on the floor. The few hairs, her hair, that fell around proved how close to the blade she was.
“You aren’t Chesire,” A male voice said, Hana looked up to see her sword wielding assailant. Unsurprisingly it was a man, because of course a man would be running around with a sword. She wasn’t expecting him to be so young, despite the threatening sneer and the splatter of blood he looked like he could be the same age as Hana.
“I- no- who is that?” Hana stuttered. “Who are you? Who are they? Why are you in my apartment? Please don’t kill me,” she said rapidly.
The boy took a step away from her running a hand through his dark hair. “Your apartment?” He questioned. “So it doesn’t belong to Jessica Choi alias Chesire?” he asked.
“It is, I mean it was, except for she has been missing - wait what?” Hana asked.
The boy scowled, rolling his eyes. “Jessica Choi otherwise known as Chesire, a highly skilled assassin who worked for the League of Shadows,” he listed. Hana stared at him wide eyed, Jessica Choi that name was familiar, that was aunt but the rest of the words he said just didn’t make sense to her. “So, she is missing? And you are what a hobo? No, you are too well dressed,” he said.
“What is wrong with you?” Hana snapped, standing up. Was it wise to snap at the man with a sword? No but apparently, she had lost her damn mind. “I am Jessica’s niece, who the hell are you anyway? You break into my apartment, you kill these two whoever they are, try to kill me and then you have the audacity to say i am a hobo while you are dressed like that,” she said.
“I wear the uniform of the League of Assassins, how dare someone as insignificant as you insult it,” He snarled. “And these two fools weren’t with you,” he asked, kicking the dead man. “Interesting,” he hummed to himself, turning his attention to the man tied to the chair. “Who do you work for?” he asked, pulling the socks out his mouth.
The man's head slumped to the side, a throaty chuckle escaping his lips. That wasn’t the answer the boy wanted because in a second his fist connected with the side of the man’s face, blood spurting out from his mouth. “Talk or else,” the boy said, raising his sword and swinging down.
Her eyes widened as a shadow flew into the room tossing the boy to the side. “Minjae that's enough,”
“Minjae,” she repeated, causing the shadow, a masked man, to turn around and look at her. Despite the mask covering the majority of his face, she could see the shock in his eyes.
“Crap.” Was the last thing she heard before everything went to black.
Day 3 : Singing Christmas Carols / "I've never heard you sing before... it's nice." (Astrid x Oli)
“You are going to join the frog choir?” Oli asked once he got his breath back after choking on his pumpkin juice. Astrid flushed ignoring the looks Oliver’s housemates were sending her. This was admittedly not the reaction she was hoping but she was going to blame that on a lack of sleep, Oli had been stressing, unnecessarily in Astrid’s opinion, over his Care of Magical Creatures assignment. “I didn’t know you sang,” Oli added after a moment.
“Well I do,” Astrid huffed, “Kinda,” she shrugged stealing a piece of toast off Oli’s plate. “I am amazing caroller, “she said waving the toast around as she talked. “Pretty sure it's genetic, I swear my dad knows every Christmas song ever made,” she boasted before taking a bite of toast, nose scrunching up, raspberry, ick.
“So does mine but that doesn’t mean I can sing,” Oli said Astrid's brows furrowed, there is no way Oli’s dad would know every Christmas song. “And anyway I don’t think the frog choir has a special holiday section,” Oli pointed out. “And you have quidditch, would you even be able to do both?” he asked. Astrid rolled her eyes, of course, she would be able to. Besides she only had one quidditch match left before the Christmas Break and it was against Hufflepuff.
“Oliver, there is no way your dad knows all the Christmas carols, don’t be silly,” she said shaking her head. It was sweet how much he looked up to his dad but it was just not realistic. “And we both know I am great at multitasking; I am the like the queen of it,” Astrid said ignoring the look of disbelief on Oli’s face. So she might have had a few missteps here and there but what queen’s crown doesn’t slip occasionally? “Anyway, do you have prefects duties on Thursday night?” she asked.
“My Appa does, though he knows them just to make sure he can block them as much as possible, somehow Mariah Carey still manages to slip through,” Oli said, Astrid once again shook her head. She couldn’t imagine hating Christmas, it was just so sad. “ And no you know it’s every second Thursday,” Oli said eyes narrowing at Astrid, “Why?”
“So you don’t have anything planned?” Astrid asked.
“Well, some of the guys -” Oli started before his widened in realization. “No way Astrid, you want to join the choir you can but I’m not -”
“Being a very supportive best friend,” Astrid suggested. “I noticed,” she huffed. Why couldn’t people just support her dreams, Charlie had the same reaction except there was a lot more laughter before the no. “Come on Oli it will be fun,” Astrid whined.
“So many lies in one sentence,” Oli tsked. “Why do you want to join the choir anyway?”
“Zero lies,” Astrid said with a huff, “And because –“
“Because why?”
“Because I do,” Astrid said. “And you have until to potions class to change your mind otherwise you’ll have to find a new potions partner,” she said before jumping up.
--
Unfortunately, Astrid had underestimated how many people had been trying to steal her spot as Oli’s potions partner so as she walked to another desk the crowd around Oli swelled. To say she was more than a little annoyed would be an understatement.
“If you grind any harder you’ll make a hole,” Charlie said raising an eyebrow. “Look if we fail this potion because of your boy troubles I swear,” she said. Astrid let out an affronted gasp.
“I don’t have boy troubles,” Astrid said placing the pestle down. “I have people leeching onto my best friend because he has famous parents' problems,” she huffed. Sure Tyler Lee was a great quidditch player but her uncle Suho was better and maybe Daniel Choi was a good actor but Astrid always enjoyed Caleb Park’s dramas a little more.
“Right,” Charlie said, Astrid didn’t like the fact she rolled her eyes or the fact her tone seemed to imply she was not right. “You know what I’ll get involved just this once because our potion is already ruined, have you ever considered Oli is popular because he is genuinely nice, reasonably intelligent and is at least an 8 on the cuteness scale,” she said? Of course, Astrid knew that, she knew that better than anybody Oli was her best friend, after all, she also knew that he hated coffee, that he was very possessive of his loved ones and cried when he watched How To Train A Dragon. “So you do know,” Charlie said. “Okay so then are you aware you undermine his popularity in an attempt to gatekeep him?”
“I don’t not,” Astrid huffed. She would never do that, she was a great friend and was happy that Oli had his own friends.
“Okay, you are right you don’t gatekeep from people you don’t view as threats, remember last year when Zoe Cross asked Oli to Hogsmede,” Charlie trailed as Astrid frowned, well, of course, she got involved there Zoe was not right for Oli. She smelled like Espresso and had a weird obsession with Astrid’s mother's business. “And Elaine Pilsbury oh and Quinn Delury,” Charlie listed.
“All terrible people,” Astrid nodded. “Oli is lucky to have me,” Charlie didn’t seem to agree if the perplexed look on her face was anything to go by.
“Right,” Charlie said once again with somehow even more judgment than the last time “Why don’t you go over and save Oliver from all those nasty people then?” she asked.
“Principal,” Astrid pouted. “I asked him to join the frog choir with me and he refused,” she said, her nose twitching at the rancid smell coming from their cauldron.
“So?” Charlie asked, “Maybe he just can’t sing? No one can be perfect all the time,” she said. What did that have to do anything? Astrid knew Oli wasn’t perfect, once again he doesn’t like coffee but he was pretty close.
“It's not about the singing,” Astrid said.
“A choir isn’t about singing? Right.”
—-//
“I want to join the frog choir to impress my dad and I want you to join because I feel like we never get to hang out anymore,” Astrid rushed out without taking a breath only stopping when the librarian shushed her.
“Want to say that again?” Oli asked.
“No I want to sit down,” Astrid said flopping down on the chair beside him and taking several deep breaths, she swore she could say more words in one sentence. There goes one of her future careers - the people would never get to hear rap god Astrid after all.
“ Okay. I said I want to join the choir to impress my dad because as much as he says he is proud of my quidditch accomplishments I don’t trust it, I mean he hates the game so -“ Astrid trails. “ And I want you to join as well because I miss hanging out with you,” she said looking away from Oli, it was already embarrassing enough she didn’t need to see Oli’s reaction.
“Astrid I don’t think there is anything you can do to make your dad not proud of you,” Oli said, Astrid hummed in response not looking at him even though Oli kept nudging her.
“Stop,” Astrid whined turning to see Oli grinning at her. Grinning at her with his dimples after all the trouble he has caused her today. Cruel.
“And we hang out all the time, you are my partner in all the classes we share together, you are always stealing my food and you’ve shown up at house enough my dad has had to add you to our security wards,” he said. Well, maybe she was wrong about Tyler Lee he is at least equally as talented as her uncle.
“Yes, but we are learning during classes and half the time your other friends are around,” Astrid pouted. “The only time I have with you at school are meal times but then everyone is around then too and it’s got even worse since you became a prefect,” she said.
“Your silly you know,” Oli said poking her cheek.
“Am not, I am a genius,” she huffed. “And why are you not saying Astrid I miss you too, of course, I will join the choir with you,” she said.
“Because I can’t sing,” Oli said. “And according to your brother neither can you,”’ he said. Of course, Minjae would say that he was a little Judas who would stab Astrid in the back for a soggy biscuit.
“I can just listen -“ she said singing the opening line of all I want for Christmas. “See,”
“Mariah really,” Oli whined earning a slap to the arm from Astrid. “But okay you can sing,” he said.
“She is the queen of Christmas for a reason,” Astrid said nodding. “And now you,” she said.
“Do I have to,” Oli pouted. Astrid raised an eyebrow, he had his chance to get away without singing before. “Okay but promise not to laugh,” he said.
“Oli you could sound like a banshee and I swear I won’t laugh,” Astrid said seriously. Oli smiled weakly before singing the chorus of last Christmas. After finishing he covered his very red face with his hands.
“ I know awful right,” he said though Astrid could barely make it out.
“No not at all,” Astrid said, “ I just realized I really hadn’t heard you sing before - it’s nice, I mean you’ve got a nice voice,” she said, flushing. Maybe joining the frog choir isn’t necessary after all, the last thing she needed was more people knowing Oli could sing.
Included : Tyler Lee, Tara Lee, Minah Delacroix
Mentions : Daniel Choi, Suho Kwon
.
“Layfette Cemetery,” Tyler snorted. “A bit cliched don’t you think love?” he teased looking over at Minah who sighed in response. “What are we doing here?” he asked as they walked past the mausoleums, it was like walking through a scrapbook of Tyler’s greatest hits. He had lost count of how many bodies had ended up here after he was done with them.
“Look if you want to know what the witches have planned for us just follow me,” Minah said. Tyler raised an eyebrow planned for us. Tyler had assumed that the witches were only coming after him, after all over the past century his siblings had been on the tame side. Suho was hiding in away in Italy living out a boring monogamous life with his wife Emma, Minah was pretending to be good only getting her hands dirty when needed and Tara- Tyler felt a pang in his long dead at the thought of his only true sibling. Tara had abandoned him after he finally broke the Sun and Moon curse.
Minah lead him through the gates and into one of the bigger mausoleums. Tyler stopped spotting Hazel Weasley standing in front of him. His eyes narrowed as he looked from Hazel to Minah, lips turning to sneer. “What is this?” he spat.
“His all yours, recede,” Minah said as Hazel raised an eyebrow, the corner of lips quirking up into a smirk.
“You know you are famous in this town?” Hazel asked turning her attention back to Tyler. Tyler puffed his chest out, of course he was famous he created this town. “The witches told bedtime stories about the powerful vampire Tyler,” she continued as Tyler smirked. It was nice to know he left an impact on the witches. “Before you Daniel was nothing but an orphaned street rat,” she said as Tyler tilted his head. Orphan- yes, street rat – not so much. “Till you made him what he is,” Tyler nodded, it was nice that someone remembered he was the one that made Daniel what he was. Some respect and gratefulness would be helpful. “And now he is out of control, he does what he wants kills who he wants and I am gonna stop him” she claimed, Tyler rolled his eyes not sure why he had to listen to this speech. “And you’re going to help me,” she finished. Tyler stared at her before breaking out into a fit of laughter.
“I certainly will not,” He said mockingly, “Sweet heart you said you know me so you know who you are talking to, why in the world would I help you?” he sneered. “Is this why you bought me here?” Tyler spun around to Minah. “I know you don’t like Daniel but to get caught up in this girl plans? Minah you are better than that,”
“Hear her out,” Minah said calmly.
“I don’t need to hear her out,” Tyler snapped. “I assure you love that there is not a thing on this earth that could make me waste even 30 seconds more of my time,” he said, his fist clenched to the side. “Minah, what madness is this?” he asked.
“Tyler,” a familiar voice said his name. Tyler spun around to see Tara standing there surrounded by two other witches. “You need to listen her,” she said. Tyler looked at his sister – oh it really had been one of those days. Shaking his head, he spun around a growl escaping his lips.
“Are you all out of your minds?” He asked with a manic laugh. “You must be if you think I care about what happens to her,” he said to Hazel.
“Oh for fuck sakes,” Minah snapped.
“Daniel may have stopped us from practicing magic but we are still the keepers of the balance, we can tell when nature has cooked up something new,” Hazel said. “And I have a special gift,” she continued. “Of been able to tell when a girl is pregnant,” she said. Of all the ridiculous things he has heard tonight.
“A vampire can’t get pregnant,” Tyler pointed out, ofcourse the witch that summoned him believes in that twilight shit, that or she was just stupid. Maybe both.
“She isn’t a vampire, not anymore,” Hazel said. “She had the cure,” she said as Tyler whirled around to look at Tara, his eyes bulging out of his skull. Surely Tara wouldn’t have done something so moronic. He knew she always romanticized their human life but sure the thrall of nostalgia couldn’t have clouded her brain that much. To make herself human, to be that vulnerable. Surely not.
“You’re lying,” Tyler growled.
“Tyler just listen,” Minah called out, looking towards Tara. “Just listen,” she said softly.
“Ty I –“ Tara started to speak but trailed off. Tyler’s eyes narrowed, the steady throbbing of heart filled his ears. His eyes widened at Tara before he heard the faint beating of another heart coming from Tara. His eyes narrowed, a sneer making its way on his face.
“That isn’t my problem,” Tyler said through gritted teeth. “If you want to stop Daniel using my sister for bait maybe you should be searching for that child’s,” he said nose wrinkling up in disdain. “father,” he all but spat.
“Tyler that child is family,” Minah said calmly, “How can you not see that this child is a gift to our family,” she continued been brave enough to step forward. Tyler snorted, family, what an utter load of bullshit. No family of his would ever do something so idiotic.
“I never knew you were so sentimental Minah, must have caught it from Julien” Tyler laughed bitterly, “Have you all lost your minds?” he asked running a hand through his hair, pulling at the ends. “Tara, the only true family I had left, has turned himself into a pathetic human,” he said body shaking in rage. His little sister. Did she forget how many enemies that had garnered over the years? Why would she leave herself so open to attacks, humans were so fragile, one flick of a finger and they’d be broke in half.
“My brother gave his life to bring you all here,” The witch interjected. A growl escaped his lips, he had forgotten that this little witch was still here.
“And if you don’t shut your mouth and scurry along you will be joining your dearly departed brother,” Tyler threatened. “You know maybe I shouldn’t dirty my hands with it, maybe I should just go tell Daniel about you breaking his silly little rules and see what happens,” he shrugged. “You know gift my old friend a matching set,” he rolled his eyes. “OR- I could just snap your neck right now? How about that love?
The witch faltered, there was a crack in her armour. A small part of Tyler wondered whether she was more afraid of him or the threat of Daniel, it shouldn’t matter – but if she was wise it would be him. “I wouldn’t do that if I was you,” she said after a minute her voice croaking. “You might say you don’t care about this baby or your sister –“
“That baby is a mistake- “
“That baby is a magical loop hole,” The witch pressed on ignoring Tyler. “But to make sure you know you answer to me,” she continued as Tyler looked up, a mask of amusement on his face hiding the growing rage. Who exactly did this little witch think she was? She wasn’t from a powerful line of witches, he doubted she could even do a simple locating spell and here she was talking such nonsense. She picked up a dagger from beside her, sucking in a breath she pressed the blade against her palm and wrapped her fingers around it. Tyler raised an eyebrow at this little spectacle was meant to prove but he couldn’t care less about her ruining her own hands. That was until Tara let out a scream raising her own matching bloody palm.
Tyler gritted his teeth. “Because of Henry’s sacrifice the lives of this girl and her baby are now controlled by us, if you don’t help us take down Daniel so help me Tara won’t live long enough to see her first maternity dress,” Hazel said.
“Enough of this if you want Daniel dead I’ll do it myself,” Minah commented moving towards the witch.
“No,” The witch said, causing Tyler to roll his eyes. Minah just offered this dumb witch what she wanted and she said no. “Not yet we have a clear plan to follow and there are rules,” she continued. Tyler bit the inside of his cheek, he could have one of his witches here in hours. If he asked Maude, even quicker, she was always in a rush to please him. Whatever it took to get rid of this witch.
“How dare you?” Tyler asked his voice flat. “How dare you try and command me? My family? With what you wrongfully perceive as my weaknesses,” he spat. “I won’t hear anymore of this,” he said shaking his head.
“Tyler!” Tara called out. “Please,” she said. Tyler turned to her once again, eyes darting from her face to her stomach. No, this was not his problem. She chose this life without even so much as a thought of him, why should he be held responsible for her bad decisions. No right now he should be relishing in the fact she is in trouble, his family always loved to rub it in when he made questionable decisions, with the misguided righteousness and unwarranted contempt.
Always and forever.
Tyler shook his head, unshed tears welling in his eyes. “No,” he said. “Kill her and the baby what do I care,” he said racing out of the room and the cemetery.
Included: Mark Yang, Donghyuck Lee
Mentioned : Tara Lee , Sungjae Lee
Donghyuck, contrary to popular belief, was a good bestfriend. He always had Mark’s back. When Mark was down Hyuck was in there in the trenches ready with Mark’s favourite movies , icecream and maybe a couple of his dad’s beers. When Mark was angry, Hyuck was there with his baseball ready to fight. Yet right as this very moment watching Mark fly past the defence and make the shot with ease, he didn’t feel elated at his friends success. No instead he felt dread wash over him like some had dumped a bucket of ice over him. He wasn’t one to fall for old wives tales and superstitions but he couldn’t help but think that this was something supernatural. That his best friend was an actual a werewolf.
“Yang,” Coach called after Mark had made a three pointer. The game paused a Mark jogged over to the coach a confused look on his face. “What was that?” Coach asked yelled his arms waving around as he spoke.
“What was what?” Mark asked brows furrowing.
“This is a basketball court, what did you think were you trying out for Cirque Du Soleil?” Coach ranted.
“No coach, I just made the shot?” Mark said, voice wavering as he looked over at the coach. Feeling like an awful friend Hyuck hoped that Mark’s showboating would ruin his chance at getting on the team. It was always said that team acted like a pack of wolves but he was pretty sure they didn’t want a werewolf on the team.
Alleged werewolf. There was still a chance that this was all a weird coincidence.
“Well you made the shot and guess what – you’re starting buddy,” Coach said patting Mark on the back. “You made first line,” he said.
Crap.
Mark looked over at Hyuck beaming, with a weak smile Hyuck gave him a thumbs up.
☾
Despite what Hyuck’s high school teachers thought, he wasn’t a loud student who struggled to play attention during class, matter of fact he could be described as intelligent and studious. He just never cared enough about the things they wanted to teach him. When he did want to learn about a topic, he went all in. Hours scurrying the internet, days spent in the library searching for the mere mention of the topic. If he had a personal link to the topic, he is even more shrewd with his study – it became his obsession. Which is why at this very moment he was furiously scrolling through pages of information on Lycanthropy – not easy task when you consider the first 10 pages of the search were about Twilight, ABO fics and whether werewolves in Harry Potter was a metaphor for people with Aids. He had books he borrowed from the University spread out on his bed, opened to pages with sticky notes with an abridged version of what was said. He chewed on the bottom of his pen, his brows furrowing deeper as he frowned. There was no way this could really be happening. He was a logical person, werewolves weren’t real.
But.
That was the only explanation. Mark was a werewolf.
Cursing to himself, he quickly sent a text to Mark asking him to come over. Hyuck nose scrunched up as he tried to figure out how to break the news to Mark. He couldn’t just bring it up – not after he joked about it before, Mark would assume he was messing him again. Ironically mirroring another wolf-based story, the boy who cried wolf. Placing his head in his palms Hyuck groaned, college was not to be like this and, he thought with a sniff, he should not smell like this. Wrinkling his nose, he glanced up at his clock, eyes widening when he saw the time. 5.23 pm, he swore it was only 11, the previous night. He stood up walking over to his window slowly pealing the curtain back, letting out a shriek as the sunlight blinded him. A dry chuckle escaped his lips, maybe he was turning into a vampire. With a shake of his head he decided to atleast shower before Mark got here. With his super senses Hyuck’s stench could be potentially fatal.
After a quick shower – (all showers were quick for Hyuck, he would have much preferred a good hour long soak in the tub), and a spray of his favourite perfume after shave. Hyuck sat back down at his computer, clicking his last tab and seeing the image of a ‘werewolf’ bleeding to death after been shot by a silver bullet. No that was not what he needed to see, though Mark’s jewellery collection will be significantly shrunk – he couldn’t risk him wearing silver.
He was pulled out of his thoughts when someone knocked on his door, causing him to jump up. Closing his laptop and he went over the door unsurprisingly seeing Mark standing there with a coffee and muffin in hand. Hyuck’s stomach growled as he grabbed the coffee and muffin. “Get in here,” he said to Mark.
“Nice to see you to Hyuck,” Mark laughed as he walked into the room.
“I’ve been up all night reading – websites,books, all of it,” He said as he sat back down at his desk. Mark looked over at him , amusement clear as day on his face.
“How much Adderall have you had today?” Mark asked raising an eyebrow.
“A lot, doesn’t matter,” Hyuck said shaking his head. “Okay just listen –“ Hyuck said.
“Oh is this about the body?” Mark asked sitting down on Hyuck’s bed. Hyuck rolled his eyes so much for just listening. “Did they find out who did it?”
“No,” Hyuck said quickly, searching from some prints out he had prepared earlier. “They are still questioning people, even Sungjae Lee,” he said. Normally that would be what Hyuck would lead with but their were more pressing issues than talking about the towns local hermit.
“Oh the guy from the woo-“
“Yes, him,” Hyuck said cutting Mark off. “But that’s not it,” he said waving his hands trying to get Mark to stop.
“Then what is?” he laughed.
“Remember the joke I made the other day, not a joke anymore,” Hyuck said seriously. Mark blinked, brows furrowing in confusion.“The wolf, the bite in the woods,” Hyuck continued waiting for Mark to have his lightbulb moment. “I started doing all this reading,” he stood up grabbing a book of his bed. “Do you even know why wolves howl?”
“Should i?”
“It’s a signal okay,” Hyuck said. “ When a wolf is alone , it howls to signalling its location to the rest of the pack, so if you heard a wolf howling that’s mean others could be nearby, maybe even a whole pack,” Hyuck said as Mark’s eyes widened.
“A whole pack of wolves?” he asked, almost excitied at the prospect.
“No werewolves,” Hyuck.
“Are you seriously wasting my time with this, you know I have to pick up Tara in an hour,” Mark snapped.
“Mark I saw you on the field the other day, what you did wasn’t just amazing it was impossible, “ Hyuck tried to explain.
“Yeah so I made a good shot,” Mark shrugged.
“No you made an incredible shot, I mean the way you moved, your speed, your reflexes, people can’t just suddenly do that over night and then there is the vision and the senses – you don’t need me to point out how you don’t even need your inhaler anymore,” Hyuck listed off as Mark’s shoulders slumped. Hyuck guessed his words were actually getting through to him.
“Okay fine but I don’t want to think about this now, we’ll talk about it tomorrow,” Mark said dismissively.
"What no you can’t? The fullmoon is tonight! Don’t you understand?” Hyuck snapped. Basic Werewolf 101 don’t go out during a full moon.
“What are you trying to do?” Mark accused, making Hyuck pause.”I just made first line and I have a date with a girl who I can’t believe even wants to go out with me, everything in my life is somehow perfect why are you trying to ruin it?” he asked. Hyuck tried to ignore the pain in his chest, he couldn’t believe Mark would accuse him off attempting to ruin his happiness. Didn’t Mark know him better than that.
“I’m trying to help,” Hyuck whispered. “Your cursed Mark, and you know the moon isn’t just going to make you physically change, it also just so happens to be when your blood lust will be at its peak,”
“Blood lust,” Mark repeated sounding less than impressed.
“Yeah your urge to kill,”
“I am already feeling the urge to kill Donghyuck,”
“Listen, the change can be caused by anger or anything to that raises your pulse, and I’ve never seen anything raise your pulse like Tara does – you have to cancel this date,” he said trying to grab Mark’s phone. “I am gonna call her right now,”
“What are you doing?” Mark said through gritted teeth.
“I am cancelling the date,” Hyuck said, putting in Mark passcode and trying to find Tara’s number.
“No give it to me,” Mark said trying to grab out of Hyuck’s grasp but Hyuck managed to dodge. He continued to scroll surprised that Mark knew so many people. He was just at the T’s when Mark slammed him againist the wall. “Give it to me,” he said, arm raised ready to strike. Hyuck froze, eyes trained on Mark’s fist. Mark stopped eyes darting from his fist back to Hyuck before he let out a growl, knocking Hyuck’s chair over. . “Sorry, I am sorry okay,” “I uh I gotta get going – to get ready – for the party,” he said stepping back and making his way to the door before stopping in the doorway. “Sorry” He repeated.
Hyuck let out a breath he didn’t even know he was holding in, walking over to the chair lifting it back up only to stop when he saw it had ripped, claw marks on the back off it.
Includes : Tyler Lee, Daniel Choi, Minah Delacroix
To say Tyler’s mood had soured would be an understatement. He had forgiven Daniel to an extent for killing Henry Weasley but to have his lackeys following him around , poking their noses into his business he had to wonder what his former protégé was playing at. The fact that Daniel knew better, Tyler had taught him better after all he had shaped in his image, made him someone worthy, someone he could call a friend. It seemed his friend got a smidgen of power and had lost all his sense. Tyler was the law, no matter where he went but especially in this town.
He found himself walking into the club Daniel was supposedly at. Rolling his eyes as he spotted patron’s feasting on the others without a care in the world. Tyler's world was lavish to say the least but this was rather garish. He could tell the newer vampires because they wore tasteless dollar store masks. He hoped Daniel had better taste than to approve those looks. His eyes scanned the room looking for Daniel, he wasn’t able to find him but he did spot a daylight ring. Oh a member of Daniel’s inner circle, family, just what Tyler needed.
Tyler grabbed the guy spinning him around not bothered whether this bottom feeder was upset. “Where is Daniel?” he asked.
The guy, the shorter of the two from before looked Tyler up and down a snort coming from his lips. “And who the hell is asking?” he said with a roll of his eyes.
“I assume you are joking,” Tyler said through gritted teeth. That or he was incredible stupid. Tyler’s reputation was known world wide and surely as a member of Daniel’s inner circle he would know better than to push his buttons.
“I only answer to Daniel,” The guy snapped at Tyler.
Tyler shrugged his shoulder trying to appear completely unaffected. “Oh in that case maybe you’ll answer to this,” he said wrapping his hand around the guys neck and lifting of the ground. “You are aware that a bite from a werewolf can kill a vampire,” he said letting lose, the veins around his darkening to almost black, his pupils dilating. “Well as you can see I am half werewolf so I am going to ask one more time WHERE- IS -DANIEL?” he repeated as the guy struggled to get out of his grip.
“Hey hey, I am right here , I am right here,” Daniel said racing forward stepping between Tyler and his friend pushing Tyler away. “Easy,” he said as Tyler settled slightly to spite himself. “Easy now, Joshua is just looking out for me, nobody harms my guys those are the rules,” he said. Tyler growled, he was sick of Daniel bringing up his rules like he was above Tyler.
“I don’t care about your rules Daniel and I don’t need chaperones,” Tyler said watching as Daniel’s eyes darkened before a look of confusion fell on his face. Interesting, it seemed Daniel’s army already had a mind of their own but Tyler was curious to see how far this lie would go. “Why are you having me followed Daniel?” Daniel shoulders fell as he looked at his guys. A look that could only be described as pure frustration.
“Come here,” Daniel said trying to lead Tyler away from the crowd. “I get it, huh show of force, got it, you made your point,” he said. A dry laugh escaped his lips, he hadn’t made his point at all – if he had majority of this room would be missing their hearts and the other half would be ripped into a thousand tiny pieces. “Let it go friend,” Daniel said, “for me,” he added. Tyler’s jaw clenched but took a step back, this would be the last time he would let Daniel off. Tyler’s kindness only went so far, especially when it is been tested like this.
“Fine,” Tyler sneered, watching as Daniel let out a sigh of relief. “Why don’t you show me what you’ve done with the place while you explain exactly what it is you’ve been doing in my town,” Tyler said raising an eyebrow daring Daniel to challenge him.
Something dark flashed in Daniel's eyes but was it was gone in an instant. “Right follow me,” he said breaking into a smile. Daniel lead him upstairs onto one of the balconies.
“Look at that sky line,” Daniel said with a low whistle, the bustling New Orlean’s nightlife was on the streets below them while the outskirts of the quarter were framed by skyscrapers. “Now that is what I call progress,” he said fondly looking over at the wall of buildings. Tyler hummed modern architecture wasn’t his favourite, especially not the ugly 50 storey buildings that stood out like a sore thumb, basic designs with nothing notable.
“I prefer something less gaudy,” Tyler said crinkling his nose. Daniel laughed, perhaps one of the first genuine laughs Tyler had heard come from him today.
“Of course you do,” Daniel rolled his eyes, “But more hotels means more tourists which means fresh blood,” Daniel said. It was logical, Tyler couldn’t debate that but it did take some of the charms away from a city his family had built. “And the humans, I taught them to look the other away,” he boasted. Tyler rolled his eyes, any vampire could get the humans to look the other way, compulsion existed after all.
“And what of the witches?” He asked noting the way Daniel looked away. “In my time they were a force to be reckoned with,” Tyler spoke. “But now they live in fear – how do you know when they are using magic?” Tyler asked. A dry laugh escaped Daniel’s lips. He knew Daniel was expecting that question.
“Maybe I have a secret weapon, an ace up my sleeve, something that gives me complete control over all the magic in this town,” he answered leaning over the balcony.
“Is that a fact?” Tyler asked.
Daniel looked over at him a smirk on his face. “Might be or I could be bluffing,” he shrugged before standing up straight and turning back to Tyler. Tyler considered his options, he could threaten Daniel – but then he’d still have no idea how he was controlling the witches. He could compel him, that would be a lot simpler. He did miss the days when Daniel would tell him everything without any coercion. He was about to say something when Daniel pulled out a packet of mints or what Tyler thoughts were mints until heard a sizzling and Daniel wincing in pain.
“You take vervain now?” Tyler asked barely concealing his annoyance.
Daniel nodded, “Burns like a bitch,” he choked out. “But I figure I should limit the number of things I am vulnerable to,” he said. Tyler's lips pressed together. While there was a very slim chance that a human could their hands on vervain, Tyler knew that Daniel was talking about his vulnerability to compulsion which only Tyler and his siblings could do. “Don’t get mad about that chaperone thing,” he said. Tyler crossed his arms – oh he wasn’t mad no he was still livid. “I told my guys to look out for you that’s all,” he lied. “That’s what we do here, look out for each other,” he added.
“Is that why you are lying for your friends?” Tyler asked stepping closer to Daniel. “Because you look out for each other,” he mocked. He smirked when he saw Daniel’s jaw clench. “It’s sweet, you know I appreciate loyalty but I hope you are been loyal to the right people,” he said.
“I’ve never done that before don’t know why I’d start now,” Daniel mumbled going back to the balcony and looking down at the street. “Oh fresh meat,” he said trying to change the subject. Tyler humoured him coming over to stand beside him looking down at the street to find the bartender from earlier.
“She isn’t my type and last time I checked she wasn’t yours either,” Tyler scoffed.
“Last time you checked was 100 years ago Ty,” Daniel laughed. “You don’t know what I am into anymore,” he said seriously. Tyler blinked, eyes widening in shock before Daniel broke out into a fit of giggles. “I am just messing with you,” he said. “A bartender walking alone at night though, do you think she is brave or dumb?”
“Brave you let her live, dumb she becomes dinner,” Tyler offered. Daniel grinned jumping over the edge. Tyler watched in amusement as their little bet was spoiled when Daniel’s other minion appeared talking to the girl, he laughed when he watched the girl threaten the boy. Brave – what a pity.
A breeze passed.
“Evening Minah,” he said looking over to where his former wife stood.
“Tyler,” she greeted.
“What an entirely unwelcome surprise,” Tyler said with a roll of his eyes.
“And what an entirely unsurprising welcome,” Minah spat back. “I see your pet has been busy,” she said nodding down to below them where Daniel was now joking with his friend. “I guess everyone is replaceable after all.”
“Apparently,” Tyler sneered “Is there a reason you are here?”
“Come with me,” Minah said nodding to the staircase.
Tyler shook his head. “I am not leaving until I find out who is conspiring against me,” he said.
“I know that,” Minah said, “I believe I just found out,” she stated.
Included : Mark Yang, Enzo St Pierre, Donghyuck Lee
Mentioned : Tara Lee, Sungjae Lee
Mark’s eyes flickered open, squinting as the light hit him. Mark rolled over trying to hide behind a pillow only to nuzzle into something colder, wetter and infinitely less comfortable than his favourite pillow. Mark jolted upwards, now wide awake. He was not in the bed he went to sleep, hell he wasn’t even in the safety of his own home. Instead, he pushed himself up, twirling around as he took in the view. He was in Beacon Fall’s forest, again, he cursed as he spun around, twigs and leaves crunching under his feet. He could only see a few feet ahead the early morning fog was that heavy. He frowned, racking his brain for how the hell he ended up here.
He tentatively walked forward. Every instinct he had was screaming at that was something was wrong and that he needed to get out of here. An uncomfortable feeling washed over him and in that second, he knew he wasn’t the only one in the forest. His eyes darted around searching for anyone or anything but all he could see were trees and the dense heavy fog covered everything else. He took a deep breath trying to calm his heart which was beating the samba.
When Mark finally felt like he was beginning to settle, he heard it, an inhuman snarl. He swung around staring towards the direction the noise had come from. He froze when he saw it. The outline of a figure, the wolf. Despite the fog, Mark could tell now that it wasn’t a normal wolf. Its hind legs were a bit longer, the way it crouched was strange. Everything about it was unsettling and off. Mark started to backtrack, to try and put some distance between him and the wolf but his foot landed straight on a branch causing it to snap. He looked back over at the figure to see it was now starring at him, blood-red eyes standing out amongst the fog. Without a second thought Mark ran. Despite his newfound speed, the wolf was right behind. He pushed himself to go even faster barely getting ahead. He kept running forward till he had to jump over a ledge? Fence? Something, he wasn’t paying attention mind more focused on the wolf. He landed with a splash.
Mark struggled under the water. The shock of what had happened the figurative weight of what had happened was weighing him down. Gasping for air he made his way to the surface. He swirled around frowning when he noticed that his feet could reach the bottom. He huffed, spitting some water out as he tried to take in his surroundings. A white fence? Trimmed ledges? A blow-up unicorn floatie? Mr Kang starring at him while hosing his garden. Mark flailed around, tempted to go back underwater and drown himself to save himself from the embarrassment but stopped himself by chanting that he still had a date with Tara and that was worth a little embarrassment. “Good morning?” he said to Mr Kang before promptly getting out of the pool and once again jumping the fence to get out onto the street.
Thankfully he wasn’t too far from his home so it was pretty easy to sneak back into the house. Not unnoticed because his mum was sat at their kitchen table, the newspaper on the table and coffee in hand. “Do I even want to know?” she asked not looking away from the paper.
“I ah – went for a jog?” Mark offered. His mother looked up from the paper, she looked him over once and raised an eyebrow. She shook her head once placing her coffee down on the table and folding the newspaper back up before turning to face Mark.
“Mark,” she sighed. “If we had more time before you had to be at school I would point you never jogged before in your life and I would also point out that you are dripping on our floor,” she said. If she was standing Mark was sure she would have her hand on her hip.
“Well you see I have a date –“Mark said. “And it was an intense jog like super intense,” Mark began before his mum stood up and pointed towards his room, the unspoken go get changed was implied. Mark shrunk before racing into his room and throwing on some clothes he would shower after this morning’s basketball practice.
The trip to university was filled with the rather unhealthy breakfast of takeaway pancakes and his mother’s relentless teasing. In Mark’s mind, it balanced out. His mother’s teasing about him finally having a date was easily ignored in favour of him shoving his face full of pancakes and whipped cream.
“Have fun at practice,” His mum said as they pulled up at the school’s car park. It was pretty much empty apart from a few cars, probably all belonging to the basketball team. Mark hummed as he undid his seatbelt, opening the door. “Nuh-uh uh,” his mum called out. “Aren’t you forgetting something?” she said tapping at her cheek. Mark rolled his eyes but climbed back in pecking his mum’s cheek and telling her to have a nice day.
He jogged to the change. He had plenty of time but he didn’t want to risk it, plus he knew as soon Hyuck saw him, he would be expected to tell him everything and he meant everything about what happened with Tara last night. Grabbing his jersey, he was about to leave when his locker door was slammed shut for him. He turned to see Enzo St Pierre glaring at him.
“Alright little man,” Enzo all but growled. Mark blinked was he the little man? Sure Enzo is taller than him but short jokes were a little immature. “How about you tell me where you are getting your juice?”
“What?”
“Where – Are – You -Getting -Your -Juice?” Enzo repeated pointedly, nodding at Mark like they were in on a shared secret. It wasn’t a shared secret at all, Mark honestly had no idea what he was talking about, was he thirsty?
“My mum does all the grocery shopping,” he said, Enzo’s brows furrowed, eyes closing for a second and jaw clenching.
“Funny,” he snarked. “Listen here Yang, you are going tell me exactly what it is and who you are getting it from because there is no way in hell you are out there kicking ass on the field like that without some sort of chemical boost,” he said.
“Wait you mean steroids?” Mark said eyes wide as he figured out what Enzo was alluding to. “Are you on steroids?” he said looking Enzo up and down. “I’ve heard they severely shrink –“ Mark stated before been pinned to the wall by a very angry looking Enzo.
“What’s going on with you Yang?” He all but growled at Mark. Mark had had enough, the past 48 hours had been a lot for him, getting bitten, dead bodies, Sungjae Lee and getting a date with Tara Lee, never mind his new superpowers.
“What's going on with me?” Mark asked. “You really want to know?” he asked as Enzo nodded. “ Well so would I because I can see, hear, and smell things I shouldn't be able to see, hear and smell! I do things that should be impossible. I'm sleepwalking three miles into the middle of the woods and I'm pretty much convinced that I'm totally out of my freaking mind!” he ranted. Oh that felt good, he really needed to get that out.
“You think you're funny, don't you Yang I know you're hiding something. I'm going to find out what it is. I don't care how long it takes,” Enzo said stepping away and walking off.
Well that was fucking weird.
☽ ☾
“Mark! Mark!,” Hyuck ran over as Mark prepped himself to get on the court. His run-in with Enzo had ruined the confidence he had gained yesterday.
“Hyuck I need to get on the court, I’m playing the first elimination round,” Mark said. He glanced over Hyuck who was bouncing on his heels. Normally he would stay and listen to whatever Hyuck was going to say but this was the chance he had been waiting for.
“Hold on okay,” Hyuck said placing a hand on his shoulder, Mark nodded even though he wasn’t listening. No he was making sure his laces were done up, imagine if he tripped – he would never be able to show his face on campus again. “So I overheard a phone call with my dad- “ Hyuck continued. Mark looked up, “the fibre analysis came back from the labs, they found animal hairs on the body from the woods,” he said. Mark nodded jogging on the spot.
“Hyuck I have to go,” Mark said as the rest of the team ran onto the court. He gave Hyuck a tight smile before jogging off to join the rest of the team.
“Wait no Mark stop, you won’t believe that animal was,” Hyuck continued but it was too late, Mark was already out there. If he stayed just a minute more he would have Hyuck say that the hairs were from a wolf.
The whistle rang out and unlike the day before Mark didn’t keel over in pain but his ears were definitely ringing. “Bring it in, come on,” Coach called out as the players who were in the first round gathered around him in a circle. Mark stood in the circle ready to get this tryout underway until he spotted Tara walking to the bleachers. His heart picked up pace, was she here to see him? No. Probably not. Nah. It was probably for Enzo they were friends right – oh was she waving. Mark raised his hand to wave back.
“Got a question Yang?” Coach asked bringing Mark’s attention back to him. Mark flushed as the guys around him sniggered. Why was Coach calling him out?
“What?” He asked lamely.
“You raised your hand, do you have a question?” Coach asked pointedly. His eyes narrowed at Mark, annoyed that Mark had interrupted him. Even if it was an accident.
“Oh no, I was just –“ He said as the guys, and by guys he meant Johnny and Jaehyun, turned from sniggering to having full-blown fits of laughter. “Nothing sorry,” Mark continued shaking his head.
“Right, you know how this goes,” Coach began. “If you don’t make the cut your most likely sitting on the bench for the entire season, you make the cut,” he paused. Mark had a feeling it was for dramatic purpose.
“ You play, your parents are proud, your girlfriend loves you, everything else is cream cheese,” he said, Mark nose wrinkled. Who would say their lives are cream cheese. “Now get out there and show me what you got,” he yelled as the rest of the team roared and like that the elimination round was on.
They say twins share a connection like no other souls on the earth and right now Hazel could believe it. She tried to focus on the carrots she was currently chopping, a bitter laugh escaped her lips – she should have been cutting onions then she would have an excuse as to why her eyes were watering. She had told her brother over and over again that this chance wasn’t worth it, not his life, but at the prospect of finally be able to end Daniel Choi’s reign of terror, he wouldn’t listen. With one last shaky sob, she shook her head turning back to the restaurant only to see a looming figure watching her.
Tyler Lee. The Original Hybrid. A powerful and terrifying been whose reputation left people quivering in fear. The vampire Henry gave his life to bring to town.
“You’re Tyler,” She said trying to hide her fear. She knew her heart was racing and that he could hear it but she needed to at least appear calm.
“I am,” he said smoothly. “And you’re upset, Hazel is it?” he said condescendingly. “I assume it’s because of what I just witnessed with your brother on the corner of Royal and St Anne’s,” he said. Hazel nails dug into her leg as she tried to push the vile back down at hearing him mention what just happened to her brother so blasé.
“Did you enjoy the show?” she spat.
“It was a little melodramatic for my taste but that is the way Daniel’s always been,” He shrugged, Hazel’s gritted her teeth. She had forgotten that once upon Daniel was just Tyler Lee’s lackey. She couldn’t help but wonder if they had made a mistake. If Daniel was this bad she could only imagine what type of monster Tyler Lee truly was. “What did your brother want with me?” he asked getting straight to the point. “Why did Daniel kill him?” she opened her mouth to speak before she noticed Aspen one of Daniel’s minions walked into the bar.
“I see you bought friends,” she nodding to the bar where Aspen was sitting eyeing them both intently. Tyler sucked in a breath tongue poking in his cheek as he turned around glaring at the woman.
“She isn’t with me,” Tyler said. “I am not into blondes,” he joked.
“She is with Daniel and that is what matters,” she said, noting the way Tyler’s annoyance seemed to get worse at the mention of Daniel. “I know you built this town but this is his town now,” she answered sighing. “He killed my brother because he broke the rules,’ she said. “So if I talk to you in front of her, I am next,” she whispered before turning and going back to the kitchen.
She watched as Tyler moved next to Aspen, his hand digging into her shoulder. “Are you following me?” he asked digging a bit dipper, Hazel smirked as Aspen winced.
“Daniel said I am your guide,” Aspen said licking her lips as she tried to move out of Tyler’s grasp.
“Oh he did, did he?” Tyler laughed. “Well then let me be perfectly clear about something if you ever follow me again you will do so without the benefit of a spine,” he threatened.
“Sorry for the wait,” She heard Celeste speak. Hazel chewed her lip hoping that nothing bad would happen to her new co-worker. Vampires had a habit of dragging innocent people into their arguments for fun. “If you are here for the gumbo I got bad news for you,” she said not noticing the tension between Tyler and Aspen, ah to be completely human and naively unaware of the horrors lurking the town.
“Your oldest scotch for my friend here love,” Tyler said placing a 100 dollar bill on the countertop. Celeste picked it up looking it over checking if it was fake, appeased with it she nodded and went to the back. “If Daniel wants to know what I am up to he can ask me himself,” he said before walking away. Hazel shook her head deciding to go out the back.
It was a chilly night but the candles she had lit earlier remained burning. She picked up an unlit candle and held it to a flame watching as it sparked to life. Finally letting herself mourn the loss of her brother properly or she was going to until the bar’s door slammed shut. She spun around finding no one there, she moved back to the candles frowning turning once again when she felt a presence. Aspen.
“The doors work you know,” She spat bitterly.
“You’re doing magic,” Hazel spun around to see Aspen had bought company she wasn’t sure of the guy's name – Stefan maybe. Great, that was just great she was trapped between two vampires.
“I’m praying to my dead brother,” she said. “Go ahead pay your respect,” she snapped sarcastically. She tried to walk away from them only to be stopped by Aspen.
“Ah don’t make this a thing Hazel, the hybrid was looking for Henry,” she said. “Daniel wants to know why,” she said twirling her blonde hair around her finger.
“Oh that sounds like witch business, I’d say ask him yourself but I guess you can’t seeing as Daniel killed him,” she said turning when Stefan stepped forward. It was a foolish move to make because Aspen capitalized on her hands going around Hazel’s neck but within seconds she was free. She spun around to find Aspen had completely disappeared, it seemed she wasn’t the only one shocked because Stefan stood dumbfounded until they heard a crashing. Looking around they spotted a bloody heart in the middle of the pavement. Hazel’s stomach turned as she looked at the bloody organ. Spooked Stefan crouched down looking for whatever did that.
Angry, Stefan turned to Hazel who had no idea what was going on. He lunged forward only to be thrown against the wall the sign made of wood going straight through her heart.
Hazel gasped eyes flickering towards a figure standing in front of her. Minah Delacroix, another original, beautiful and poised, she wiped her hands clean of blood before turning to Hazel. “I’m Minah, you’ve heard of me,” she said fixing up her dress. Hazel nodded quickly, muttering yes. “Good, so why don’t you tell me what business your family has with my ex-husband?” she asked.
Included : Mark Yang, M Young, Tara Lee
Mentioned: Lee Donghyuck
chapter one ll chapter two
CHAPTER THREE
“Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you home?” M asked as he wiped over the counter. “Really it’s no trouble,” he added. Mark looked up from cleaning the tables off and shook his head, a small smile on his face. He had this conversation every time he worked late, M, his boss, would always offer to make sure he got home safe. It was a nice thought and Mark appreciated he really did but M lived on the other side of town so it was well out of his way and as embarrassing it sounds he enjoyed the nights his mum would pick him up. They’d go on a late-night Mc Donalds run and talk about their days while they sat in the carpark, dipping fries into their sundaes.
“M I’ll be fine,” Mark said. “I only have to feed the cats and dude I am 19 years old, give me some credit,” Mark laughed.
“19 and thinking he is tough,” M shook his head. “So cute, such baby,” he teased. “But fine, just lock up and te-“
“Text me when you get home,” Mark said at the same time as M stopping the older man mid-sentence. “Trust me I know the routine by now,” Mark said. M held his hands up in surrender. “Get going don’t you have some hot date tonight?” Mark asked. “You know at this point I feel like family and I have yet to meet any of your dates,” he teased.
“Because I actually want to keep dating this woman,” M said rolling his eyes. “Okay, are you sure you’l-“
“Go M,” Mark laughed. “It will just be me and the cats what is the worst that can happen?” Mark said as M winced, shaking his head muttering about how now something was sure to go wrong.
After a little more convincing M finally left the café. Mark had finished cleaning up the café. He grabbed his backpack and walking into the bathroom. He needed to change the bandages that were currently wrapped around his midsection. Setting his bag on the basin he pulled out a clean bandage and some antiseptic spray. It was one of the good things about been the son of a nurse, their first aid kits were always full stocked. Mark pulled his tshirt up, slowly been careful not to graze over the wound – he knew he would be in pain soon so he wanted to prolong it as much as possible. He winced as the cool air hit his skin. Fall had only begun but the nights were already getting colder. Mentally preparing himself for the pain that was sure to come Mark sucked in a breath as he pulled the bandages off. His eyes widened as he looked himself over, instead of finding a bloody and open wound Mark saw nothing but unmarked smooth skin. Mark’s brows furrowed as he poked at where the bite should be but there was nothing, not even a scar. He was perfectly fine.
What the –“ he said shaking his head. This was not normal, there was no way he could have recovered that quickly. Something was wrong with him. Seriously wrong. Was he some sort of mutant now? Would the government take him away and experiment on him? Oh god, he shouldn’t have told Hyuck, now the FBI or whatever would have to silence him, and what about his mum? What would they do to her?
His downward spiral took a backburner when he heard several loud meows. Right focus on what needs to be done right now, he could worry later.
Mark made his way to the back where the cat’s kennels were. All that was left for him was to give each cat his or hers worming medicine and their dinner. It wasn’t a hard task but it could be tedious. Apart from actually getting the cats to take their worming tablets which in itself was a struggle he had to check over the dietary requirements and prepare each meal separately. Sighing Mark stepped in the kennels. “Hey Kittys,” he called out. He reached to turn the light on when all the cats seemed to jump to their feet, their tails straight in the air, their fur sticking right up, a chorus of hisses and screeches could be heard as the cage rattled.
Mark spun around searching for what could have startled the cats that badly. It couldn’t have been him, he has done this 100 times and the cats had never reacted like this, especially when it came to food. It felt like his mind was spinning, the loud noises were not helping him figure out what to do next. He was broke from his rather jumped thoughts by a loud consistent banging on the cafe's door.
Mark froze at the constant knocking, M was right he shouldn’t have asked what is the worst that can happen. It was asking for trouble and the way things had been going it would be the killer waiting to kill him off. He sucked in a deep breath counting to ten in his head before walking to the front. He turned the outside lights on and instead of a murderer he saw a soaked frantic Tara who was begging for help. Mark froze stunned as she continued to sob between broken words. “I didn’t see it,” Tara spoke. “I took my eyes off-road for like two seconds,” she sobbed.
“Hey, hey I’ll help you,” Mark said unlocking the door and trying to lead Tara into the café. “Just breathe,” Mark said guiding Tara over to a table. “Come on in and out,” he said handing hovering over her back wondering if it would be appropriate for him to rub her back, deciding against Mark’s hand fell awkwardly down. “There you go,” Mark said as Tara sat down. “Can you tell me what happened?”
“I was driving when this dog came out of nowhere and I tried to swerve but –“ she spoke before hiccupping as a fresh wave of sobs racked through her body. “I didn’t see it,” she repeated.
“It’s alright, it’s alright,” Mark said kneeling down so they were at the same level. “Do you remember where it happened so I can send animal control to go get it?” he asked. He hoped she could remember. The dog could be hurt and it was crucial that got that dog to a vet asap.
“No,” Tara cried, “I mean yes, I know where I hit it but the dog is, it’s in my car,” she sobbed. Mark tried to mask his confusion at why exactly she’d bring an injured dog to a cat café. “I called Minah, that’s my brother’s girlfriend, and she said a vet works here?” she explained.
Mark nodded, “Yeah,” he could always call M if the dog was severely injured. “I’ll bring it in, can you unlock your car from here?” he offered as Tara shook her head standing up.
“I’ll come help,” she said with a sniffle, her voice hoarse from crying. Mark's eyes softened muttering an okay. The pair ran towards Tara’s car getting drenched by the heavy rain the process. Tara opened the boot only to be met by a chorus of barks and growls. Tara jumped in shock as Mark stood behind her wrapping an arm around her waist to stop her from falling back.
“Hey you are okay,” he whispered patting Tara’s back softly as he stepped forward. “She is just frightened,” Mark said as he looked over at the dog. A golden retriever, if he had to guess it was someone’s pet who got scared during the storm and escaped.
“That makes two off us,” Tara muttered with a frown.
“Let me see if I have better luck,” Mark said with a smile, stepping forward only to get growled at as well. He stood unaffected, instead looking the dog directly in the eyes. It took a few seconds but the dog seemed to calm down lowering its head. Mark smiled, scratching it under the chin muttering about what a good girl she was. “We should get her inside,” he whispered as he scooped up the dog. Frowning at the low whine that came from the dog, she was in pain. “Could you open the door for me,” he asked Tara who raced to hold the door for him. He muttered a thanks as he moved to the examination room (it was really a spare office that M had renovated). Pushing the door open with his foot, he was quick to move to the back. There was a large table that M often claimed was his operating table even though it was a normal table.
“Is she going to be, okay?” Tara asked rubbing at her arms. Mark for the first time that night had a chance to take a proper look at Tara. She was soaked, her hair flat around her face, droplets falling from it. Her clothes stuck to her like a second skin. She was shaking, her teeth chattering as she wrapped her arms around herself for warmth. Tears still streamed down her face and her lips were turning blue. In Mark’s very biased opinion, she was still very pretty but it was very clear that this night had not been an easy one.
“She’ll be fine,” Mark assured her. “If you want – I – ah- I have a spare T-shirt in my bag? ” he offered nodding towards his backpack in the hallway. “You can borrow it, you know so you don’t freeze to death,” he said scratching the back of his neck, ignoring the way his face heated up
“Oh no it’s fine, I don’t want to trouble you,” Tara said shaking her head. “I am fine,” she said, punctuated by a loud sneeze. Mark raised an eyebrow trying not to smile as Tara flushed in embarrassment. “Okay thanks,” she muttered going over to the backpack and then into the bathroom.
Mark could make out her figure through the small gap in the door. His eyes widened as Tara threw her soaked shirt onto the floor. He looked away trying to ignore the way his heart was racing. All he could see was the pale skin off her back yet he was reacting like that. The dog let out a whine causing Mark to turn his attention back to her. He raised an eyebrow as he looked over at the dog, surprised to find that even the dog was judging him. “I can’t see anything,” he muttered.
With a sigh, he got back to checking over the dog. He checked to see if she had a microchip and luckily, she was. It was good to know that she had a home to go to. Unfortunately for the poor thing, she had a broken leg. Mark couldn’t do too much other than trying to ease the pain. He sent a quick message to M letting him know he had a new patient to look forward to.
By the time Tara had walked back out Mark had finished bandaging the dog's leg and was giving the dog some antibiotics and pain medicine. “How is she doing?” Tara asked. Mark stared at her, his mind going blank at the sight of her in one of his sweatshirts.
“Oh yeah,” He said shaking his rid trying to rid it of thoughts about Tara wearing more of his clothing. “She is going to live; she will let you pat her now,” he said nodding to the drowsy dog.
“I don’t think so,” Tara said, a nervous giggle escaping her lips.
“Oh come on,” Mark goaded her. “You don’t want her to sue you do you? I heard that this breed of dog is very litigious,” he joked as Tara rolled her eyes. Tara stepped closer, hesitating a moment, her hand freezing in the air. She closed her eyes before taking the proverbial bullet and stroking her hand through the dog’s fur.
“Thank you for doing this, I feel really really stupid,” she said shaking her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips.
“What why?” Mark asked frowning.
“Because I completely freaked out like a total girl,” she answered with a frown.
“Uhm you are a girl?” Mark said hoping he didn’t put his foot in his mouth.
“But I am not a girly girl, I’m tougher than that,” she continued. ” or at least I thought I was,” she added with a frown.
Mark frowned, her reaction to what happened was completely normal in Mark’s opinion. He’d be more worried if she didn’t freak out. “Hey, I would have freaked out as well, like a complete girly girl, like full-on tears and snotty nose, it would be pathetic,” he said. A wide smile making its way onto his face when he heard Tara giggle, a genuine smile making its way onto her face. Beautiful absolutely beautiful.
“Yeah right,” she said though Mark had zoned out. “What?” she asked noticing Mark’s starring.
“Uh I –“ Mark said. “You have an eyelash on your cheek,” He splurted out, luckily enough for him there was an actual eyelash there.
“Ah from the crying,” Tara laughed wiping at her cheek missing it completely. Mark reached out and wiped the eyelash away. His heart was racing as they made proper eye contact.
“Thanks.” Yeah, his heart had just raced right out of his chest.
“I better get going, my brother is will be going crazy right now,” Tara said. Mark nodded muttering of course. Tara looked at him one last time before walking out the door. Mark let out a breath he didn’t even know he was holding. A voice that sounded suspiciously like Hyuck rang out through his mind telling him to shoot his shot.
“Hey Tara,” He ran out to find Tara about to get into her car. Tara paused looking over at Mark confused. “Is Friday night really family night?” he asked. “Or do you think maybe you’d like to go to the party? With me?” he asked. He was already preparing himself for rejection.
“Family night was a complete lie,” Tara admitted.
“So is that a yes?” Mark asked, he didn't want to get his hopes up but it did sound like a yes to him.
“Definitely yes,” Tara said her smile lighting up her entire face, giggling to herself as she got in the car.
And like that Mark was floating on cloud 9. The rest of the night was a blur but he knew that he fell asleep with a huge dumb smile on his face.
“Welcome to the dark side of New Orleans, a supernatural playground, where the living are easily lost and the dead stick around to play,” the corners of Tyler’s lips quirked up into a smile as he watched a tourist guide, dressed like he was an extra off The Walking Dead, lead a bunch of tourist down bourbon street. If only they knew how true that comment was, this glorious city was built by himself and his family, of course, the werewolves and witches would claim they had a hand in it but everyone knew the truth. Those very same witches were the reason he was back in the town he made. Walking down the street he quirked an eyebrow as he watched one of the ‘witches’ who lined the street quickly pack trying to shut her stall before he could get there.
“Good afternoon, hope you have room for one more,” Tyler said sitting down on the stool across from the witch. The witches lips pulled into a thin line, her dark eyes narrowing as she spotted the smug smirk on his face.
“I have nothing to say to you,” The witch spat.
Tyler rolled his eyes, witches were always so dramatic. “That’s not very amicable is it darl? you don’t even know me,” He said tapping his finger against the table.
The witch glared at him, letting out a sigh. “I know what you are,” she said causing Tyler to quirk an eyebrow. “Half-vampire, half beast,” she continued. “You’re a hybrid.” She said. Tyler chuckled in amusement; his reputation proceeded him. Probably because to witches he was an abomination, a wrench thrown in the precious order.
“I am the original hybrid but that’s another story,” he said waving a hand dismissively. “I don’t want to waste any more of your precious time, I am looking for someone, a witch, perhaps you might be able to help me find them, Henry Weasley,” he continued. The witch froze sucking in a deep breath. Oh, goodie she did know who he was.
“Sorry I don’t know who you are talking about,” she lied.
“Now we both know that isn’t true,” Tyler said growing annoyed. “Now you see,” he said reaching out to grab the witches hand. “We both know you are true witch among a sea of phoneys,” he said. “So enough with the fabrications, I have quite the temper,” he said as the witch pulled her hand away, apparently not appreciating his threats.
“Witches don’t talk out of school in the quarter,” she said. “The vampire won’t allow it, those are rules, I don’t break Daniel’s rules,” she spat. Tyler bit his cheek not happy to hear his ex protégés name, especially not when it was paired with the fear in the witches voice. He’d be lying if it didn’t grate at him knowing that Daniel had managed to somehow get the witches under his thumb.
“Daniel’s rules?” He questioned, fingers digging into his legs. “Well then do you happen to know where I can find Daniel?” he spat his friend’s name out.
☽
“How you like me now,” Daniel sang out as the oh so adoring crowd cheered. Tyler rolled his eyes making his way to the bar. It wasn’t a shock to see Daniel putting on a show, after all, he did love a good audience. “Thank you,” he said at the end of his song jumping down off the stage and getting handed a drink by two of his friends. Downing the shot Daniel turned to look straight at Tyler. “Tyler,” he said, voice flat and eyes narrowed. “Daniel,” he responded with an equal amount of enthusiasm. Tyler‘s eyes briefly flickered to Daniel’s friends who had stood up now standing beside Daniel ready to attack. Oh god did Tyler hope they would. He needed to get some frustration out and being provoked by these fools would do just that.
“Must be what? a 100 years since the nasty business with your daddy,” Daniel said. It was said like an old friend reminiscing but calling his father daddy was not a choice Tyler would make. Either Daniel had forgotten his place and thought they were closer than they were or he had got cocky in his old age.
“Has it been that long?” Tyler asked with an air of nonchalance.
“Yeah, the way I remember he ran you straight out of town, left a trail of dead vampires in his wake,” he said.
“And yet you were lucky enough to survive, my father on the other hand I am afraid I’ve recently incinerated to dust,” he said stepping closer to Daniel, smirking as his lackeys stepped forward. Daniel though remained unphased.
“My congratulations, or condolences – “ Daniel shrugged. “If only I had a little heads up –“
“You would have what Daniel?” Tyler gritted out. “What would you have done?”
“I would have thrown you a damn parade,” Daniel said face morphing from serious to his trademark wide boxy smile. Tyler let out a laugh before shaking his head, a smile making its way onto his face. “Tyler Lee my mentor, my sire, my saviour, let’s get you a drink,” Daniel said throwing an arm around Tyler’s shoulders. Tyler smirked at the surprised faces of Daniel’s companions. He let Daniel lead him to a private room, Daniel grabbing a bottle of Bourbon along the way. “It is good to see you,” Daniel said as they sat down.
“It’s good to be home,” Tyler spoke watching as Daniel poured the drink. “Although tell me the current state of Bourbon Street is not your doing,” he laughed taking a sip.
Daniel chuckled. “Ah well something has to draw in the outer towners otherwise we’d all go hungry,” he said with an almost sheepish smile. Tyler knew Daniel was anything but bashful. Tyler looked around at Daniel stooges still standing guard, they weren’t anything interesting to look at, of course, Tyler knew beauty when he saw it and they didn’t fit the bill. No, he was more interested in the bands of gold around their fingers. Daylight Rings. Using the rings his mother had gifted his siblings as the prototype Daylight rings were rare to come by. Finding a witch willing to take away one of vampires biggest weaknesses was like finding a needle in a haystack.
“I see your friends are day walkers,” he said raising an eyebrow. He thought he had taught Daniel better, daylight rings were not something you should give to just anyone. Hell Daniel had to wait 10 years before Tyler gave him one and that was only because Tyler liked him.
“Yeah, yeah” Daniel laughed. “ I shared the secret of your daylight ring with a few friends, just the inner circle,” he said downing his drink. “The family,” he said. Tyler jaw clenched, family. The word alone caused a reaction in Tyler, family – always and forever.
“Tell me how did you find a witch willing to make daylight rings?” Tyler asked, Daniel had always been a charmer that was not a question but witches had a natural aversion to their kind so unless you were an original like Tyler and his siblings who demanded respect by existing or had a good relationship with witches it was impossible.
“I’ve got the witches here wrapped around my fingers,” Daniel said grinning from ear to ear.
Tyler laughed, as Daniel took another shot of his drink. “Is that so,” Daniel continued to drink. “I’m looking for a witch by the name of Henry Weasley,” he said. "Has some business with me,” he explained noting the look Daniel shared with his friends. So they knew of this witch, interesting.
“You're looking for Henry?” Daniel asked, a sly smirk making its way onto his face. “You probably oughta come with me,” Daniel said standing up before shaking himself out, jumping up and down. “It’s showtime,” he said with a laugh. Tyler's eyebrow quirked up in amusement, this was the Daniel he remembered – gleeful at the idea of trouble, always trying to prove himself. A true prince of the city. Never the king though. That seat was already taken.
☽
Daniel truly loved an audience. That was all Tyler could think as they walked down the street. Vampires had come out of the woodwork, stumbling out establishments lips ruby red from their last feed, some dropped from the rooftops landing without a sound. Word had gotten out that Daniel was up to something and the city had come to watch.
“How's the family?” Daniel asked.
“Those who live hate me more than ever,” Tyler shrugged. His family feuds tend to span centuries, though admittedly this was the first time in a long time he had been alone.
“Forget them,” Daniel said. “If your blood relations let you down you make your own, you taught me that,” He said to Tyler. Tyler nodded, admittedly it did stroke his ego to know his protégé still remembered his words. A small part of him was also disturbed because looking at the crowd surrounding Daniel had been busy making his own new family. It bothered Tyler, if anyone asked it was because Daniel was clearly punching above his weight here, there was no way some as reckless as Daniel could control the masses but truly part of him was ticked that Daniel had done just that to him. He was replaced by Daniel’s new goons just like that.
“And what's mine is yours as always,” Daniel said, making Tyler smirked. Perhaps he was underestimating Daniel’s loyalty to him. “You see that my nightwalkers,” he said pointing the roofs. “The riff raffs,” he said reaching over to grab a branch of a nearby tree.
“Their hardly subtle are they,” Tyler commented. His sire line, at least the ones he directly turned by him, were impeccable. They understood the art of being a vampire.
Daniel laughed. “It’s the quarter baby, ain’t no such thing as subtle,” he said clapping Tyler’s back before walking away and whistling. Automatically cheers filled the quarter. Tyler had to stop himself from rolling his eyes, after this little show he’d have to a talk with Daniel. Just to steer him back in the right direction. He knew his friend loved praise so he could understand why having the mass cheer every little thing he did appealed to him but it was all a bit much.
One of the stooges from earlier dragged a man front and centre. Tyler looked over the man, he was about half a head taller than him, muscular and lean, his red hair stood out amongst the crowd. Tyler had a feeling that man was Henry Weasley.
“Henry Weasley,” Daniel called out confirming Tyler’s thoughts. He frowned as he looked from Daniel to the witch. “Give it up for Henry,” he said and like the herd of sheep, they were Daniel’s audience cheered. The ruckus getting louder as Daniel went around circling the audience and hyping them up. “Henry Weasley you have been accused of the practice of witchcraft beyond the bounds of rules set forth and enforced by me,” Daniel said with a wide grin. “How do you plead?” he asked.
Tyler raised as an eyebrow as Daniel took a brief intermission from his little show to come over to him. “Was that convincing?” he asked. “I studied law back in the fifties,” he added. Tyler chuckled shaking his head, “Hold that thought,” Daniel said before turning back around. “Seriously Wesley tick-tock, you know the drill, how do you plead?” he asked the witch, Tyler noted that Daniel seemed kind of bored now. That momentary rush must have been over for him, what pity.
“I didn’t do anything,” Henry said looking Daniel in the eyes. The crowd jeered as a wicked smile crossed Daniel’s face.
“Hmm,” Daniel said shaking his head. “Ah ah, that’s a lie,” he said pouting almost mockingly at the witch. “You know it, I know it,” he said pointing at the witch and then back at himself. “And you hate that I know it,” he boasted with a wide smirk. “It drives you, witches, crazy that I am aware of your every move,” Daniel continued on Tyler tilted his head to the side wondering how exactly Daniel managed to know when the witches performed magic.
“That you can’t do magic in this town without getting caught,” he said once again circling talking to the crowd who all watched completely engrossed in what Daniel is saying. “So why don’t we just cut to chase,” he said stroking his branch, picking at a leaf. “You tell me what magic your brewing,” he continued picking at the branch. “I mean tell me, I’ll grant you leniency,” he said not even sparing the witch a second glance. “Hey I am after all I a merciful man,” he said stepping towards Henry.
“Rot in hell monster,” Henry spat at Daniel, a chorus of ohs filled the quarter.
Daniel let out a dry laugh. “I’ll tell you what I’ll give you one more chance,” he said turning away from the witch, face dropping before he spun, the branch effectively slitting Henry’s throat. Tyler sucked in a breath watching as the blood poured from the young witches throat before he dropped to the ground. “Or not,” Daniel shrugged, a dry laugh escaping his lips. Tyler’s eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched as Daniel walked right past him to high five his inner circle. Tyler was more than a little ticked right now, he had told Daniel he had business with this witch yet he robbed Tyler of a chance to clear it up in order to play to his theatrics and idiotic peers.
With a huff, Tyler raced over to Daniel, spinning him around and shoving him. “What was that?” Daniel’s eyes widened before an easy smile made its way onto his face.
“Hey hey, come walk with me,” he said wrapping an arm around Tyler’s shoulders. “Witches can’t do magic here, he broke the rules,” Daniel explained. Tyler couldn’t give a flying fuck about Daniel’s stupid little rules, he is the reason Daniel as he is now existed, he should be shown respect. Right now Daniel should be on knees kissing Tyler’s feet apologizing for ruining his chances of interrogating the witch instead he was explaining the rules he enforced on Tyler’s town.
“I told you I wanted to talk to him,” Tyler said through gritted teeth, shrugging Daniel off and stomping forward.
“Hey I’m sorry, I got caught up in the show,” Daniel said as Tyler scoffed. He thought he raised Daniel better than to state the obvious. “Those witches, they think they still have power in this town I have to show them that they don’t,” Daniel explained. Tyler bit the inside his cheek as he listened to Daniel speak. “Alright never waste an opportunity to use a show of force another lesson I learned from you,” he said. Tyler hummed, memories flashing in the back of his mind, that lesson was a particularly hard lesson for Daniel, one he almost felt bad about. Almost. “And besides anything you would have gotten out him I can find out for you and I will, I promise,” Daniel said looking at with wide earnest eyes.
“Well whatever it was, it doesn’t matter anymore now does it,” Tyler spoke after contemplating it in his head. He did believe that Daniel rather stupidly got caught up and forget who mattered here. He was Daniel’s sire, whatever loyalty he had to his little friends wouldn’t be able to compare to the blind loyalty he had for Tyler. Daniel broke out into a wide smile that Tyler couldn’t help but replicate.
“Good then let's eat all that spilled blood makes me hungry,” he laughed patting Tyler’s back before stepping around him and making his way down the street. Perhaps after all the drama with his family spending some time with his old friend wouldn’t be too bad – but first, he looked over to the two guys that followed Daniel around. “Hey, Joshy isn’t it? any more Weasley witches where he came from?”
Included : Mark Yang, Donghyuck Lee, Sungjae Lee, Daniel Choi
Follows : (1)
CHAPTER TWO
“Are you sure this is the right way?” Donghyuck asked stomping through the shrubbery. The difference between the woods they stumbled through last night compared to what it looks like now couldn’t be more different. It was like night and day, pun intended. During the night it looked like it was straight out of a horror movie but now it was picturesque, something Mark would see on Instagram with #naturevibes under it. Despite it been the beginning of Fall most of the leaves had yet to fall so luscious greens contrasted against the blue sky. The light breeze made the hike around much more pleasant than the howling winds of last night.
“Yes,” Mark huffed. “Pretty sure I tripped over that log,” he said pointing to a fallen log. “If you want we can always head back,” he said side-eyeing Donghyuck who poked his tongue out at Mark.
“Not of all us have turned into Superman over the summer Yang,” Donghyuck said eyes narrowing as he looked at Mark. “Some of us are delicate and don’t appreciate a mile hike into the woods,” he continued flipping his non-existent hair. “You could have at least bought a picnic for our date,” he sniffed.
“Oh yeah there is nothing more romantic than searching for a dead body,” Mark said dryly. “And do you really think I am in your league?” Mark teased. “Especially now that I have superpowers,” Mark joked or at least tried to the thought of his new skills made his stomach turn and his palms get sweaty. It was uncomfortable, he had no idea what was happening to him.
“You would be so lucky,” Donghyuck said turning his nose up. “When Arabella and I finally end up together then you’ll regret it,” he said. Mark rolled his eyes. Ever since the faithful day Donghyuck had bumped into Arabella last year, she was all he could talk. He had lost count of the number of times he had heard Donghyuck’s five-year plan. “And about those new powers –“ Donghyuck trailed. “Is there anything you want to tell me?”
“Honestly dude I don’t know what is going on,” Mark said pushing his hair out of his eyes. He heard a snort come from Donghyuck, he looked at his friend seeing a look of disbelief on his face. “No seriously Hyuck I have no idea what happened,” he said. How could he explain that weird things kept happening to him? “It was like I had all the time in the world to block those guys,” he explained. “It was like they moving in slow motion,” he said noticing the way Donghyuck’s brows furrowed. “I think something might be seriously wrong with me,” he whined. “Maybe it’s an infection, you know from the bite,” he said pointing to his side.
“An infection,” Donghyuck snorted. “Yes every time I get the flu I can suddenly fly,” he said sarcastically. “Haha very funny,” Mark huffed. “I am been serious, I read about it, I think I am having an adrenaline rush and once it’s over I am going to,” he said making a throat-slitting gesture and poking his tongue.
“Remind me to thank god you are not a medical student,” Donghyuck said rolling his eyes. “I guess all our hard work paid off,” he shrugged as he walked in front of Mark. Mark was flabbergasted, his mouth hanging open and he glared after Donghyuck. His best friend was ignoring his very serious medical condition and our hard work. Donghyuck must have conveniently forgotten he did nothing but play Xbox all holidays.
“It’s not just my hard work, “ Mark said putting particular emphasis on my as he caught up easily with Donghyuck. “Its other things,” he shrieked causing a nearby flock of birds to soar up startling Donghyuck. Donghyuck huffed turning to face Mark with his hands on his waist. “I can hear things I shouldn’t be hearing, I can smell things I shouldn’t be smelling,” he began ranting.
“Smell things?” Donghyuck asked raising an eyebrow in disbelief. “Like what?”
“Yes smell things,” Mark snapped. “Like that peppermint gum in your jacket pocket,” he said. Donghyuck started to protest that he didn’t have any gum until his hand searched and found a single piece of gum in his pocket. He looked up at Mark, a stunned look gracing his features.
“Okay yeah that is weird,” Hyuck agreed before deciding that the gum was good enough to eat. “So you are saying all this started after you got bitten,” he asked mid-chew. Mark stared in disgust, he really did need to find a new best friend.
“Yeah I am pretty sure I am gonna die,” Mark said. “Do you think I should go to the hospital?” he asked. If it was that bad maybe they should head back to Donghyuck’s truck and go straight to the ER.
“No no,” Donghyuck shook his head. “Actually I think I have heard about this before,” he continued. Mark frowned, Donghyuck face had fallen and his posture had changed. Oh god, this was serious. Despite Donghyuck’s general lack of attention and love of chaos, he was particularly well-read. “It’s this particular disease called lycanthropy,” he said solemnly.
“Lycanthropy? What is that dude? Is it serious? Mark asked. His mind was racing as he tried to figure out how he would pay for medical bills, he already worked two part times jobs to pay off his student loans. Maybe he could ask his brother for a hand but he knew for sure he didn’t want to burden his mother more. Especially not since it was his own stupidity that got him into this situation.
“Yeah man,” Donghyuck nodded. “But only once a month,” he said as Mark brows furrowed. What?.” You know when it’s a full moon,” a teasing grin making its way onto his face before he let out a howl. Mark shoved him away stomping forward, why did he think it was wise to trust Donghyuck Lee. He’d regret joking about his potentially fatal health when he left everything he owned to Taeli instead of him. “Dude you bought it on yourself when you said you got bit by a wolf,” Donghyuck laughed.
Mark huffed continuing to stomp forward stopping when he recognized where they were. They were near the body. “Hyuck it’s over here,” Mark yelled jogging towards the clearing he saw the body in last night. He stopped when he got there, a frown making its way onto his face. The body wasn’t here. It should be here.
“Yeah haha Mark,” Donghyuck said appearing behind him. “You got me back,” he said with an eye roll.
“No dude it was here last night, look over there it's my inhaler,” he said pointing to a patch of grass. Donghyuck frowned, “I swear this is the spot,” he added.
“I believe you,” Hyuck said, his frown only deepening. “Which is why I am worried, it means the killer moved the body,” he whispered.
“Okay let me grab my inhaler and we can get the fuck out of here,” Mark said leaning down to grab the inhaler.
“Mark,” Donghyuck said pointedly shaking his shoulder. “Mark gets up,” he said.
“Dude I am not going to leave it here, those things cost like 80 bucks,” he said.
“Mark,” Donghyuck whispered frantically. Mark looked up to see his friend frozen completely. His eyes focused solely on something in the distance.
Mark turned his head slowly seeing a lone figure standing about 100 meters away from them. Mark got a chill down his back, his hair stood on end and his heart pounded in his chest. Everything in him was saying this man was dangerous. Mark stood up shielding Donghyuck as the guy stepped forward. Even though the man was on the smaller side he was intimidating in a way Mark couldn’t really explain. His all-black ensemble stood out amongst the greenery. The grass rustled with every step forward he took. The man’s cat-like gaze never left Mark’s.
“What are you doing here?” The man sneered once he was close enough. Mark bristled trying to down the snarl that was threatening to escape his lips. He had never reacted to a person like this, not even his worst enemy had caused such a primal reaction. “This is a private property,” the guy spat, growling at Donghyuck and himself. Well, at least he knew the animosity was mutual.
“Look man,” Hyuck tried to speak but stopped with a squeak once that man's gaze fell on him.
“We didn’t know,” Mark said glaring at the man. “We aren’t here to cause trouble,” he said throw gritted teeth. The man's lip quirked before it was back to scowling, with a kick of his foot Mark’s inhaler was in his hand. He turned into his hand before throwing it at Mark.
Mark’s attention moved away from the guy for a split second as he caught his inhaler with ease. When he looked back up the guy had completely disappeared. Mark frowned as his eyes searched for any sign about where that guy went but he found nothing.
“Holy shit,” Donghyuck breathed out, “That was intense,” he said. Mark turned to look at his friend. Silently checking if he was okay, the rational part of him knew of course that Hyuck was fine but he still needed to check.
“Do you mean annoying? Mark supplied.
“Dude no – well I mean yeah – but do you know who that was?” Donghyuck gasped. Mark shook his head, despite their town definitely fitting the criteria of a small-town Mark was no busy body and had no idea who actually lived here. “That was Sungjae Lee,” he said waiting for Mark to realize who he was talking about. “Oh my god,” he said shaking his head. “Sungjae Lee – you know the Lee’s, the fire? His entire family burned to death in some freak accident,” he said. Mark nodded the story vaguely familiar; he remembered his mum coming home the shift after that night and hugging him tightly.
“Wait doesn’t his brother go to our university?” Mark asked. “Music Jungwoo?” he said. Donghyuck nodded. Mark hummed, “Let's get out of here, it was a bust anyway,” he said. He couldn’t ignore the gnawing thought that something was off.
“Yeah, let's go,” Donghyuck said. “Do I still get to play with the triplets if I drive you to work?” he asked, fluttering his eyelashes at him. The triplets as Hyuck affectionately called them were three kittens new to the café. They had been abandoned by their mother and bought into M by a concerned citizen. Since they had been a fan favourite, especially Hyucks, he was ready to adopt the three of them.
“You’d have to ask my boss,” Mark shrugged laughing at the way Hyuck’s face fell. Getting out of the forest was a lot easier during the day. They made it back to Hyuck’s truck with relative ease, just as they got to the car park they noticed a cop car parked next to Hyuck’s truck.
“It’s the new guy,” Hyuck whispered as Mark nodded watching as the cop stepped out of his car. He was an attractive man, not much older than them. With his tan skin, classic features and dark guys the man looked he should be working for a designer brand, not as a police officer.
“Dohyun,” he said nodding to Hyuck, Mark raised an eyebrow wondering if it was an honest mistake or if this guy was deliberately using the wrong name. Donghyuck scoffed. Okay definitely deliberate. “I hope you and your- “ the officer started to speak looking Mark up and down, eyebrow quirking up and before nodding seemingly finding what he was looking for. “Friend, aren’t causing any trouble,” he said, he was implying something with the way he said, friends. Mark looked to Donghyuck for answers but found him scowling.
“Officer Choi,” Donghyuck said calmly. “My friend – yes friend, and I were simply walking around a public place, what trouble could we be causing?”
“Well Dongyuck,” Officer Choi started, “I did think he was out of your league but,” he shrugged. “And we’ve had calls from hikers saying they heard odd noises coming from the forest – something about wolves which makes no sense,” he continued rolling his eyes. Mark nudged Donghyuck, happy this officer had confirmed that he wasn’t the only one that thought there were werewolves around.
“You might want to investigate Sungjae Lee, we saw him on our walk and he was less than friendly,” Hyuck said. Officier Choi tilted his head considering.
“Do you have an address?” He asked as Hyuck scoffed. “Okay fine, I’ll figure out myself,” he rolled his eyes. “But you two should get going, Cal- I mean Sherriff Park is thinking about putting a curfew on the woods,” he said.
“We were just leaving when you decide to say hello,” Donghyuck snapped. “Mark c’mon,” he said stomping over to his truck and jumping in, the door slamming shut. Mark nodded before racing to the passenger side not wanting to deal with Officer Choi anymore.
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