The rain had stopped by morning, leaving the air thick and heavy with damp earth.
Ren trudged through the empty hallways of the school, his body still aching from the storm, the serpent mark on his shoulder burning faintly under his uniform. He'd barely slept. Li Wei had walked him to the gates without saying a word—no touch, no teasing glance, just that quiet presence that both comforted and suffocated him.
He tried to act normal, to breathe like the world hadn't cracked open last night.
"Ren!"
A voice snapped him out of his daze. Hana was running toward him, ponytail swinging, worry written across her face.
"You weren't answering my messages! The whole city lost power yesterday, and you disappeared—again!" She stopped just short of touching him, her eyes scanning his face. "You look… awful. Did something happen?"
Ren forced a smile. "Just got caught in the storm, that's all."
Hana frowned. "That's not all. You're pale as hell. And—" her eyes darted to the faint outline of the bandage under his collar, "—did you get hurt?"
He tugged his uniform tighter. "It's nothing serious."
"Ren…" Hana's voice softened, her gaze full of concern and suspicion. "Ever since that new transfer student showed up, weird things keep happening around you. Blackouts, animals going crazy, rumors—"
Ren froze. "Don't say his name."
Her eyes widened. "So it is him."
He turned away, jaw tightening. "You wouldn't understand."
Hana grabbed his wrist before he could walk off. "Then make me understand! I'm your friend. You can't keep pretending this is normal. That guy—he looks at you like he owns you."
Ren's heart thudded painfully. The mark on his shoulder pulsed, hot, answering something deep in his chest. He does own me, a small, traitorous part of him whispered.
He yanked his hand free, stepping back. "Please, Hana. Just… don't get involved. You'll only get hurt."
Before she could respond, the hallway lights flickered. A chill swept down the corridor, invisible but unmistakable.
Ren's breath caught. That familiar energy—dark, ancient—curled around the edges of his mind.
Li Wei.
He turned his head, and there he was, leaning casually against the far wall, golden eyes half-lidded, watching them.
Students nearby whispered, half in awe, half in fear.
Hana's expression hardened. "He's here again."
Ren felt the pull in his chest tighten—his pulse syncing with Li Wei's even across the space between them.
Li Wei smiled faintly, but his eyes told a different story—danger, warning, claim.
Ren swallowed hard. "Hana," he said quietly, "go home early today."
She hesitated, glancing between them. "Ren—"
"Please."
Something in his voice made her stop. She nodded slowly, worry still clouding her face, before turning and walking away.
When she was gone, Li Wei stepped closer, his presence wrapping around Ren like invisible smoke. "You should be careful what you tell humans," he murmured, low enough only Ren could hear.
Ren met his gaze. "You followed me again."
Li Wei's lips curved, faint amusement breaking through his restraint. "I told you before, beloved. The bond doesn't rest."
Ren's heart pounded. The hallway felt too small, the world too heavy. "Then maybe I'll have to learn how to break it."
For a moment, Li Wei didn't speak. His expression flickered—hurt, anger, longing—and then softened into something unreadable.
"Try," he whispered, stepping past him so close their shoulders brushed, "and see what burns first—your will or your heart."
Ren shivered.
And though he stood frozen in that hallway, part of him already knew the answer.