The rain came down hard, non-stop, hitting the broken roofs and empty roads. Kiyomi ran without shoes. She left them somewhere back in the alley. Her feet hit the cold, slick stone. Her hands scraped against wet bricks, leaving blood that mixed with the rain. Every step hurt, but she didn't slow down. She couldn't, not now.
Behind her, she heard the Kurohana Circle patrols. Men who moved like shadows, quiet and exact. They always seemed to know where she was going before she did. Her chest was burning. Her lungs begged for air, but she kept going, figuring out the distance to the broken shrine at the end of the alley. Any shelter, even for a bit, meant a chance to think, a chance to live.
The shrine was ahead, ruined by time and the weather. Its doors hung loose on rusty hinges, the wood broken from years of being ignored. Lightning flashed, lighting up the dark inside for a second. She went inside, shaking from being tired and cold. The smell of damp wood and moss filled her nose, centering her for a second. She leaned against the wall, listening.
Footsteps. Slow. Heavy. Not the patrols. Not the men who had been chasing her. These steps had weight, purpose, and were precise. Her heart jumped, then slammed in her chest. She put her face in her arm, trying to steady her breathing.
Kiyomi, the voice said.
Her blood went cold. She hadn't heard that name in years, not since it was whispered in the dark of her childhood. A memory she had buried, a quick moment of warmth, a face she barely remembered, a name linked to both love and being betrayed.
She panicked. She tried to move, but hands grabbed her mouth, strong and tight. She fought, kicking against the grip. Every muscle burned, every heartbeat was too loud. Wet fingers dug into her arms, holding her as her feet slipped on the stone floor.
Don't scream, not yet, the voice said, quiet, careful, and cold.
She froze. The voice was scary in its calm. Dangerous. But, there was something familiar, a pull she hated.
Lightning flashed again. For a moment, the room was white. In the corner of the ruined shrine, she saw him. Black hair stuck to his face, eyes dark and sharp, almost too sharp. Calm, cruel, scary.
You run well, he said, stepping closer. His boots made no noise on the wet stone. But running stops tonight.
Kiyomi fought again, trying to get free, but his grip got tighter without effort. She twisted, kicking, her heel hitting something hard, maybe stone or his foot. He didn't move. She tasted rain and blood in her mouth, making her stomach turn.
Her mind raced. Who was he, how did he find her, what did he want?
The man crouched, looking her in the eyes. His gaze cut through her, cold, but under that, there was something else, something she couldn't name, desire, curiosity, or just fun.
Let go, she hissed, angry. I won't—
You won't what? he asked, his voice sharp. Run, fight, scream? You already did all three.
Her knees gave out and she fell forward. He caught her, his hands strong but careful. She felt his warmth through his wet coat. She pulled back, shivering. Why am I shivering?
You are brave, he said, almost proud. I'll give you that. But being brave won't save you.
Kiyomi didn't scream. She had survived worse than fear, worse than being hungry, worse than being betrayed. But the way he talked, the way he held her like a prize, made her feel a warning inside.
She pushed against his chest. What do you want? she spat, rain dripping into her eyes.
He didn't answer. He tilted his head, studying her. Every shiver, every bit of fear and defiance marked him. What I want, he said slowly, carefully, is what I have always wanted.
Her stomach dropped. Always, who is he?
Before she could ask, a crash echoed outside. Lightning showed another figure moving in the alley. She tensed. Was it the Circle patrol catching up, or someone else?
He didn't move. He just tightened his grip so she could feel it. No one is coming for you tonight, he said. His voice was scary and promising.
Her mind told her to run. But her body wouldn't move. She was caught in a web to complex to escape. And she knew the chase was useless to begin with.
You'll learn, he said, letting her breathe but not move. You have a choice. Obey and you might live. Resist and… He didn't finish, as if it was obvious.
Kiyomi swallowed, her throat dry. Rain mixed with blood on her face. She lifted her chin, meeting his gaze, anger burning. I will never obey someone like you.
A slow smile curved his lips, cold. Good, he said. That will make this more fun.
The storm raged. The lanterns in the shrine flickered. She felt the electricity in the air, not just from the lightning, but from the feeling between them, dangerous and exciting.
For a second, she saw something in him, not the monster, but something pulling her in, even as she wanted to run.
You are mine now, he said, not as a question, but as a fact.
Kiyomi's heart froze. The word mine scared her. She had fought for everything. She had survived on being smart, fast, and her gut. But now, she knew her life was changed, forever.
The rain pounded, like the heartbeat of something alive and dark. Kiyomi knew she couldn't run, not now, not ever.
And in her fear, she felt a bit of curiosity.
Who was this man, and what did he want?
Lightning struck again, lighting up his face. His eyes were as dangerous as the storm. Then, without a word, he stepped back, gone into the shadows, leaving her alone, but not safe.
She was alone, but not really.
The storm raged. The world outside had ended. And Kiyomi knew one scary truth, whatever he wanted, it would change everything.