Chapter Three: Where?

You're at the arena to practice and warm-up for the fight next month. Even if you know that the vampire will probably fall back if he sees you, you still can't underestimate your opponent. You remembered the reaction of Bam Bam back at the meeting. You have your guts saying that Bam Bam's mate is a man, a vampire to be exact, but you can't do anything about what the Moon Goddess wants for her children. You don't really praise the Moon Goddess as you have your own god, but that doesn't mean you have to disrespect it.

You were interrupted by Hyun came walking fast towards you. He looked distressed and looks like he's panicking.

"Y/n, did you notice any kid running here?" He asked, slightly out of breath. You raised a sweaty brow. Come to think of it, you saw a small figure creeping to the weaponry table.

"I think so, why?" You asked, not really focusing on what he's saying.

"One of the children is missing," you snapped your neck from turning your head hastily.

"Who," you asked, more likely stated.

"Kai."

-

"What do you mean you fucking don't know?" You sneered at the woman who is supposedly looking after the children. The woman fiddled with her fingers, looking nervous and scared.

Hyun pulled you back away just as you were about to get on her face.

"Y/n, you need to calm down-"

"I am calm!" You fumed at him making him flinch back. You directed your attention back to the woman who paled, looking at your hands. You followed her gaze and see your daggers tightly held by your pale hands. You looked back at the girl who shrinked away. You slowly inhaled and flicked your hands up and the daggers disappeared. You crossed your arms, maintaining your gaze at her. Hyun took that as a sign that you don't want to talk.

"You should know better not to lose y/n's favorite," Hyun said nonchalantly. You furrowed your eyebrows but kept quiet.

It's no doubt that your favorite people at this camp are the five children. They manage to brighten up your day with their annoying small voices. The orphans made you feel motherly over them and you know you would risk your life for them. Knowing that one of the kids us missing, you're enraged.

The woman, who's a bird shifter, a dove, is still cowering. You sighed through your nose and rubbed her shoulder and walked away. The shifter and the man sighed in relief to know you forgave the dove. You never talk to the beings at the camp, if you would, only simply words like "Where?" Or "no,". You would only nod and keep a straight face at any event. That's why the kids are important at the camp. They keep you sociable and make you feel normal.

Hyun followed you, walking wider strides as you jogged to reach the Chief's office faster. You both entered the room, a bit out of breath, to see the chief in a call. Hyun opened his mouth but the man held up a palm. After seconds, the call ended and the chief rubbed his forehead.

"What happened?" Hyun asked, walking closer to the man.

"Huening Kai," the chief sighed out. You tensed up at hearing the name. Your anxiety raised to the top of the bar.

Is he alright?

Where is he?

Is he hurt?

Why won't the chief tell them already?

"Where is he?" Hyun asked the question that you can't say out loud.

"At the kingdom. They're willing to give Kai back exchange for 3 million dollars." The chief rubbed his nose to relieve his stress. Hyun's eyes widen at the remark.

"Th-three million...dollars? They're already fucking rich, what would measly three million dollars do to them. He's just a human kid, wha-" Hyun laughed hysterically. He ran a hand through his hair.

"What should we do y/n?" Hyun turned to face you but froze when you weren't there.

"Goddammit," he groaned.

-

The figure walked on top of the buildings in a cloak. The wind is blowing hard and cold but didn't go noticed by the cloaked figure. It looked down, seeing busy streets with shops decorated the sides of the buildings. The streets were wide as a two-way highway. There were guards mounted on black stallions at every corner of the area to ensure that there isn't a problem in the area. The figure crouched as it saw a scene in the middle of the street. In the middle was a fountain decorated with gold and silver. At the side of the fountain are two muscular guards holding the arms of a small kid who looks like been dragged against the dirt.

Heuning kai.

The figures jaw clenched as it flicked their hands that made two daggers slide down. It breathed in as anger and anxiety climbed up their throat.

3

It thought of what will happen if they jump down in a place where people doesn't even know they still existed.

2

It got at a ready position as it twirled the daggers expertly. The way it played the daggers is eye-capturing before you see your body being sliced up.

1

The cloaked figure jumped down, digging its dagger to the side of the building to not die and pulled it out smoothly as the height become less dangerous. It sneaked at the side of the building and threw one dagger to their side that impaled through the chest of one of the muscular guards. He fell quickly because of the sudden force and stayed there. The other guard suddenly grabbed both arms of the boy making the boy scream in pain. His eyes glazed, foggy saying that his mind linking another. The cloaked figure saw this and ran up to him and kicked him in the kneecap. The guard growled in pain as he let go of the boy. Heuning kai stumbled to the ground. The cloaked figure saw this and immediately ended the life of the guard by a quick slice at the neck. Kai whimpered as he wiped his tears, the figure carried the boy gingerly and sighed.

"You got me really worried sweetie," the cloaked figure said.

"Sorry y/n." Heuning kai asked innocently as he rubbed his eyes. You shake your head and smiled softly at the boy.

"What are you doing here anyway?" You heard the heavy footsteps and shouting, so you now ran making Kai yelp in shock.

"Hold on tight sweetie," you whispered. The latter only whimpered as you quicken your pace. The guards heard your run and quicken their own. Few guards and two wolves came from one corner then ordered for you to stop while the wolves growled. The first time meeting wolves is making your anxiety rocket sky-high as you don't know how they react or how they attack and how sensitive their anger or rage is. So you played safe instead of exploring. You avoided them by kicking to the side of a building and grabbed a street light pole and turning left. The men and wolves was taken aback by your escape but ran after you. The men turned to wolves as well and caught up with you well enough. You turned another left, avoiding the civilians who screamed at the damage one person can cause. You skidded to a stop when your path was covered by a line of wolves and behind them are men in attire, raising swords.

You rolled your eyes as you know that swords are very useless in combat. Heavy to carry, hard to pierce through the skin. It is also very flimsy and flexible which strongly contributes to why is hard to cut someone.

You looked back and see the wolves growl at you. Your scent to them is very confusing. You aren't a vampire, which will make them gag as a reflex to the scent. You aren't a fairy, which is very very sweet. Like candy land of some sort. You were just, confusingly normal. Isn't sweet, isn't blind, isn't disgusting, just savory. That confused them enough.

You sighed as you brought the child to the floor. You brought his hands to his eyes.

"Don't open them." You stood up and flicked your wrists and two daggers fell to your hands. It didn't go unnoticed by a wolf who saw the gleamed at the right moment and growled loud enough. You huffed and attacked.

-

(Skip that because I'm really excited to write the scene *nugde nudge*)

-

The scene ended shortly afterward and you clutched your torso as you got clawed, deep enough to draw a few droplets of blood. Your black tank top was ripped by claws. You sighed as you remembered that this was your favorite clothing. You sheated your daggers again as you pulled your hood to keep your face hidden. You looked back to see the boy's knees withdraw to his chest and hear his quiet whimpers. You walked to him in wide strides and touched his shoulder. He flinched back and whimpered. You gulped at the reaction to the boy. Now did you only realize why he was being held kidnapped. The beings here doesn't know what humans are.

The humans have kicked out of civilization before the latest kings are crowned royalty. Maybe three or four centuries back. They haven't encountered a human for so long that they forgot what their scent is.

But that still doesn't explain why the kid looks like he'd been tossed to the garbage bin and kept there for a week.

You shushed quietly as to calm the child down. You slipped your hands under his legs and hugged him to carry him.

"I'll get you out of here, sweetheart. Even if I die trying to," you swore quietly as you run at a pace again.

You turned swiftly and sneakily at every corner as you see wolves and guards rounding up every corner. Kai would eventually squeeze at a sudden movement and would catch the attention of a walking wolf. That's when you hear several heavy footsteps coming from behind you.

You sped up.

You sighed in relief when you saw the forest, just meters away. That's when you hear the growls. You cursed inwardly as you stepped your foot forward. An arrow flew, inches away from your foot. You gritted your teeth in annoyance and anxiety.

You know you can't make it to the trees as you heard the clocks of the crossbows. Many of it. That's when the two pairs of footsteps stomped by.

"Please don't move! We don't want to hurt you or the child." Then fucking explain to me why your fucking army ripped my favorite top.

A new voice, a deeper one spoke.

"We need to talk, ma'am." The speaker took a step.

"Okay, okay. Just... stay where you are don't come any closer. Let the kid run away." Slightly changing your voice and muffled because of the handkerchief that manages to keep tied to your face, you bargained.

After a few seconds the first voice spoke up.

"Of course, our men will not attack the child," he said. You gulped as scold your brain for trusting their words, but you simply have no other choice. You slowly kneeled, tensing when several growls were directed but two louder growls were heard. You placed Kai softly and half-heartedly. You grabbed behind your pants and pulled out an object shaped like a leaf. It was three inches small and two inches wide. You pulled the right side of the object and a gleam escaped through.

A knife.

Kai looked at you alarmingly as you gently pushed it on his hands. You shushed softly as he started to tremble.

"Run as fast as you can back to the camp. Stay within the forest. Use the knife on emergencies strictly. If you see the river, steer away immediately. We don't want to be drowned by mermaids right?" Kai sniffed and nodded. You smiled lightly, your muscles confused by a rare emotion.

"I'll be okay. Don't tell the chief what happened and tell them not to go here. I'll find a way back okay?" You kissed his forehead and stood up. He turned around and started to walk slowly. He paused and looked back at you. You placed two fingers at your heart and smiled at him. The action was made by the five children and thought you their secret code. Kai understood this and tears flowed back out again.

"I'm sorry." And off he went. Your smile dropped to a frown as he disappeared out of sight. You felt guilty as you let the kid venture his way back on his own. Hell, he's human for God's sake. You turned around, facing the men. They immediately pointed their crossbows at you and the wolves got into a threatening position. You had you head down to keep your eyes hidden. Your mask is making it hard to breathe but you kept it on there. You took a breathe and pulled your hood back.

The gleam of the sun's setting rays made you squint your eyes, after quick few blinks, you focused on the enemy. Large wolves, height of three feet, has taken the first line of defense while men with crossbows had taken the second layer. At the very front, are two men. You blinked when you realized that these are two of the seven princes who rule the very land she is walking on. But took a step back when the two growled and their eyes flashed gold. Your hands itched to get a hold of the hidden daggers but you don't want to get trampled. Your focus was destroyed when the men spoke a word, one measly word that you accepted not having the moment you were born.

"Mate,"