The door creaked open before Kana could even raise her hand to knock.
The butler stood there, face unreadable, eyes narrowed. He didn't say a word. He didn't need to. His gaze alone asked the question burning in his mind:
'Why are you back?'
Kana opened her mouth to explain—but nothing came out. Her throat felt dry. Her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth.
She hadn't meant to come back. She hadn't wanted to. But the fog had a will of its own. It had pushed her, pulled her, and when she resisted, it led her here.
The butler sighed softly, shoulders lowering as if disappointed. He opened his mouth to speak.
But he never got the chance.
Warm arms wrapped around Kana's waist from behind, and she felt herself yanked back into a soft, warm chest. The scent of roses and something sharper—like fresh blood—filled her nose.
"My darling came back~"
Luna purred into her ear.
Kana stiffened.
"Were you trying to leave without saying goodbye?" Luna's tone was light, teasing. But there was something beneath it. A sharp edge hidden in silk.
The butler immediately took a step forward.
"Lady Luna, I must insist—"
"You must do nothing. She came back on her own. Isn't that enough of a sign?"
Luna didn't even look at him.
Kana shook her head.
"I… I didn't mean to—"
"But you did. That's all that matters."
Luna interrupted.
Before Kana could slip out of her grasp, Luna tugged her into the hallway and started leading her away.
"Let's go have some fun, shall we? I'll let Natasha know you're here. She'll be thrilled."
"Wait—"
Kana protested, but Luna's hold was firm, her steps graceful and swift.
Behind them, the butler clenched his fists at his side, gaze fixed on the ground. But he didn't follow.
Kana's heart thudded loudly in her chest as she was led back to the room she'd barely escaped from earlier. Somehow, she knew Luna's idea of "fun" wasn't the same as hers.
"Come, follow me. I want you to not be afraid of what is about to happen. Let's just say, we will be having some fun now."
Kana stood awkwardly just inside Luna and Natasha's room, heart pounding. Natasha glanced up from her place on the bed and smiled.
"You came back."
She said softly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Kana didn't respond.
Luna gave her a gentle nudge toward the bed.
"We're just happy you're safe. And now that you're here… why don't you stay the night?"
Kana looked between them—two beautiful, deadly creatures—and then at the closed door behind her.
Somehow, it felt like it had locked the moment she stepped through it.
Like the mansion itself didn't plan to let her leave again.
Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Lysera pushed open the gate to their small cottage.
The sky above had turned from orange to dusky purple. She rubbed her arms, the cold settling deep into her bones.
She stepped inside, the scent of old books and tea filling her senses. Irielle sat cross-legged on the floor, her hair undone, her expression blank as she read a thick leather-bound novel.
Lysera glanced around.
Kana wasn't there.
"Where's Kana?"
She asked, voice already tense.
Irielle didn't even look up.
"She hasn't come home yet."
Lysera frowned.
"She was with Penelope. She should have been back hours ago."
Irielle shut the book.
"Well, she isn't."
Something dark tightened in Lysera's gut. She turned on her heel and reached for her coat again.
"Going after her?"
Irielle asked.
"That's none of your concern."
Lysera muttered, slinging the coat around her shoulders.
Irielle's jaw tensed. She stood up.
"Anything to do with Kana is my concern. You're not the only one who cares about her."
She snapped.
Silence fell between them.
For a long moment, neither moved.
Then Lysera looked away and pushed the door open again.
"Do whatever you want."
She muttered, and disappeared into the evening mist.
Irielle stared after her, lips pressed tight.
"I will."
She whispered to the empty room.
And she, too, grabbed her things and headed out.
______
The flower shop stood quiet under the evening sky, its shutters down and lights off. A handwritten note was pinned crookedly to the front door. It read:
[Out for delivery. Will return soon.]
Lysera frowned.
"She never mentioned any delivery. And she didn't send a message either."
Irielle crossed her arms, her brows furrowing.
Lysera let out a frustrated sigh and stepped back from the door.
"She only just started working here. This doesn't make sense."
Something cold pressed into Irielle's chest. A low unease that hadn't let go since she noticed Kana's absence. She took a step away from Lysera and closed her eyes for a second.
"What are you doing?"
Lysera asked sharply.
"Give me a moment. I can track her down."
Irielle said.
Lysera's eyes narrowed.
"Track her? What do you mean track her? Did you mark Kana?"
The air turned tense.
Irielle didn't even blink.
"Yes."
Lysera's voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
"That's a crime."
"I don't care."
Lysera took a step forward, expression tightening.
"You should care! That's illegal—and unethical. You can't just go around placing tracking marks on people!"
"She's mine. I'll do whatever I want with her."
Irielle's voice was quiet but firm.
"That's not how this works."
Irielle tilted her head, still wearing that same unreadable look.
"You're in no position to talk about rules, Lysera. Aren't you the one hiding your identity? Laying low so the Council doesn't find out where you are?"
The words hit harder than they should have.
Irielle stepped closer, lowering her voice.
"If I committed a crime, you wouldn't arrest me. You can't afford to. Not without exposing yourself."
Lysera gritted her teeth.
"Don't do something stupid."
"I won't. But I am going to find Kana. And I'm willing to give up everything to do that."
Irielle's tone softened a little.
"You're crazy. Is she really worth that? You've barely even known her a week."
Lysera's voice cracked a little.
Irielle looked away, expression thoughtful for the first time.
"I don't know. I don't really understand it myself. But... I think I fell in love…Or something close to it."
She paused, then looked back at Lysera with a strange little smile.
Lysera stared at her in disbelief.
"You think you fell in love?"
She echoed, her voice hollow.
Irielle gave a slight nod.
"That's the only thing that makes sense. I haven't been able to stop thinking about her since the moment I saw her. Her voice, her awkward little smiles… it's maddening."
Lysera scoffed.
"You don't even know her. You're just—just projecting. Kana is sweet. Kind. Trusting. You're not the only one who—"
She stopped herself.
Irielle's gaze sharpened.
"You feel it too, don't you?"
"…That's not the point."
"Yes, it is. We're wasting time. If we don't move now, something could happen to her."
Irielle said.
Lysera clenched her fists.
"She could already be in trouble."
"Then let's stop arguing and go. You care about her. I care about her. That should be enough."
Irielle snapped.
There was a pause, heavy with tension. Then Lysera turned away.
"Fine. Lead the way."
She muttered.
Irielle stepped ahead, her hand glowing faintly as she activated the hidden mark she'd placed on Kana.
A golden thread of mana flickered in the air, visible only to her. Without waiting, she followed it.
Behind her, Lysera silently followed. The night was falling fast.