Italy
"Attacks? There were attacks again?" Elder exclaimed in a pissed tone.
"Gunshots straight to heart, recuperating is very slow. At least a week. The attacks happened in different locations, but all in the same pattern. Bullets pierced their hearts."
Elder gave another exasperated sigh, his teeth gritting.
"Do you think it's the Parks, Nana?"
"No one knows about the Phoenix blood apart from them. We are not really sure if they obtained her blood, but there couldn't be anyone."
He slammed his both hands on the table.
"Are the Parks asking for war against us?" His pale face showed his jaws clenching. "The audacity to go against my power."
"Just tell us if you wanted an attack—
Nana stopped when the Elder was suddenly in front of her.
"Where does your loyalty stand, Nana?" He whispered.
"It will always be on you, Elder."
He caressed her face using her knuckles. Until he gripped her neck, gagging her.
"Over your clan?"
"Yes." Nana answered, sucking her breath.
"Over your father Samuel?"
"Over my father." Her gaze didn't falter.
He smiled triumphantly.
"Just shaken them a bit. Let them remember who reigns among the Nethers." Elder hummed against her earlobe.
"I want it done tonight. Move." His cold voice commanded.
Parks
"An attack?" Samuel's pitch echoed in the library, Louis making his report.
"Eight warlocks in Spain. Found inside the woods. Ripped hearts."
Samuel's brows creased tenth fold.
"Werewolves."
He stood up from his seat, walking back and forth, uneasy. He stopped by the window, looking outside.
"It was a warning from the Elder, Samuel. We need to have the phoenix blood in our hands. The Coven only got a single drop of blood from her and she woke up fast. We only got to test Jinyoung's blood and when we injected it among others, it didn't work. It needs to be her pure blood."
"We will die in the werewolves' hands if war starts. Do you know why they attacked us?" Samuel asked.
"We were attacked unprovoked."
"They always attacked us unprovoked, flexing their superiority. That Elder needs to be humbled for once." Samuel hissed angrily.
"Or you need to take that lead seat of the Council." Louis answered.
"What's the status of the Coven?"
"They already made a move. Jinyoung met her mom already. Jackson just made some powerful potions to block her synapses. The Coven will lure her to side with us, that's our greatest chance. Unless—"
Louis stopped briefly. "Unless what Louis?"
He took a heavy sigh.
"Unless your own daughter chooses us this time, Samuel."
Samuel chuckled.
"Almost impossible." He mumbled.
"Nana has given everything to the Elder, and I cannot redeem her back anymore."
Louis didn't bother to respond. Samuel's eyes wandered around. He slipped both of his hands on his pockets.
"I will meet the Coven in Korea. Make it as discreet as possible."
Samuel pursed his lips on a thin line. The powerful phoenixes' existence was removed. Same fate could happen to the warlocks. He will not let it happen. The warlock's bloodline will remain in the Netherworld.
Haein
"Pair number 4 will be Jinyoung and Jisoo."
I cocked my head sideways after hearing the professor announce the pairings. Lily drew a curve line on her lip, warlocks interfering. My fists clenched because of annoyance.
Project pair. And the warlocks really make it a point both of them will be paired. I just know.
Something is wrong.
I haven't told her everything yet. And Jinyoung might ruin everything for me. And I hate it so much right now. Finally the clazz was dismissed.
She left us to deposit her books on the locker, giving me time to talk to Park.
"Whatever it is that you are planning, just stop it." I warned him without looking. My eyes were glued in the hallway, waiting for Jisoo to come back.
"As a vampire, you are too paranoid." He answered in a low voice, mocking me. "Freaking nervous and paranoid."
"Don't start." I faced him, looking straight at his face.
"You won't want me to finish it." He clapped back.
Next thing we knew, it was like a staring contest between us. We didn't even realizing Jisoo is coming.
"Do you have any plans fighting inside the campus with your fangs?" Jisoo snarled at us. I moved to her side, Jinyoung pulling away.
"You don't need to stay here Haein. I will be fine."
"Ji—"
"Let's talk later." She nodded, giving me full assurance.
I'll call you. She mouthed.
Jinyoung
Too silent. I didn't know deafening silence could distract me more. Apart from her short response of okay, yes and no, she gave me zero engagement. No personal talk, no personal questions.
It was irritating. I feel so infuriated for her lack of attention. I strike a conversation, she cuts me out immediately.
"You are really giving me this treatment Jisoo. I don't deserve this."
"Silent treatment rather than cold is the best that I could give you." She replied uninterested.
I laughed.
"You guys are all interested in my blood, someone wanted me dead, someone wanted to protect me. What else should I need to know? That I had to choose between Haein and Mom? Why would I do that?"
I looked at her intently. Clueless still. Would be easy to stir her emotions.
"He is part of the Jung clan. The clan that is responsible for why you are the only one left on your bloodline. Apparently you don't know."
She froze momentarily and gave me a questioning gaze. She cackled loudly, but her laugh was empty.
"Stop spewing nonsense."
"Why not try to bring Haein home? Maybe that's the only time you'll believe me. My intentions of protecting you are real Jisoo. Against the people who caused the tragic ending of your bloodline. Wake up before it gets too late."
I need her to waver and falter. We can't just settle with her mom. I need her on my side. For my own clan.
"Each day passes and I pity you more. What I feel for Haein is not as shallow as you think it is."
She turned around me unfazed. She stopped midway.
"Don't ever try to bother mom again."