Miracle

Pt. 41

Out of all the places Jinx could have dropped them, why on Hell's green earth did she decide South Korea? Why didn't she just put them somewhere familiar, somewhere in America? The thought burned in Max's mind "Why the hell would you drop us off in South Korea?" Max demanded, his voice echoing with exasperation as Jinx, remarkably composed despite the trauma, began walking purposefully down the busy urban street. They followed behind her, a bizarre parade of otherworldly beings in a modern city.

Surprisingly, no one was openly staring at them, at least not with overt alarm. Despite Max being a startling shade of gray and Jinx a vibrant purple, the bustling crowds seemed to simply flow around them. Perhaps they were judging them, but at least it was confined to their heads and expressed in a language most of the group couldn't understand.

Luckily, they had Alex with them. Alex was quietly thrilled; he would finally be able to use his magic abilities again. One of his many powers was the innate ability to understand and speak any language he desired without a single moment of study or learning. It had felt so strangely stifling, so wrong, not being able to use any of his power in Hell. This particular ability was definitely proving itself useful today.

"Me and Valentine planned to run away and hide here. We always wanted to visit," Jinx said softly, her voice uncharacteristically subdued, as she scanned the vibrant streetscape, her eyes lingering on the different food stalls lining the road, then drifting up to the vast, dark night sky. She turned her head, her purple eyes meeting Lily's. "What's his deal with you anyway...? Why is Alistair so determined to have you?" Alistair had never at any point explicitly told her why she was kidnapping Lily.

And to be honest, she had never really questioned it; it hadn't seemed that important. She was getting her rubies, and that was what truly mattered to her. But now, with Valentine's sacrifice heavy on her soul, the tables had suddenly turned, and it was very important for her to know "I'm his daughter. I'm part demon," Lily whispered back, looking down at her scuffed heels, her voice small. "Well, at least that's what he told me. He pretty sure wants me to rule the underworld with him."
Jinx watched her closely for a moment, her purple brows furrowing.

A hybrid. They usually died during birth, which made seeing one, especially one so powerful, incredibly rare. No wonder Lily had gotten angry so quickly earlier; hybrids were known for being temperamental, their conflicting natures clashing violently. Jinx let out a slow breath, shaking her head. If it were up to her, she wouldn't be in this impossible situation right now. She wouldn't be on the run with people she barely knew, and she wouldn't have to worry if her... friend Valentine was dead or alive.

Max, seemingly oblivious to the heavy mood, jogged in front of Jinx, waving a hand impatiently. "Okay, now back to my question: why didn't you just like, take us to Lily's house?" The comment made Jinx roll her eyes, a familiar spark of annoyance. Was the warlock an idiot or something? "The reason I didn't just take us to Lily's place is because that's probably going to be the first place he would have sent his followers looking for us. At your house." Jinx said, looking pointedly at Lily, who walked beside her.

"We couldn't have gone back there; he has eyes everywhere."
Lily swallowed hard, a cold dread washing over her. She knew it was the truth. Suddenly, a devastating thought came to her mind, twisting her gut. "Are you telling me I'll never be able to go back home?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper, as Jinx wordlessly handed Valentine's bag to her. Lily slipped it on, clutching the straps tightly.

"It would be unsafe, so... It's a possibility..." Jinx replied, her voice soft, devoid of her usual sass.
Lily rubbed her hand down her face, her eyes fixed on the pavement. A possibility? Is that really all the purple demon could say? That she would never see her friends and family again? Tears welled in her eyes, hot and sudden. "Will my family and friends be safe at least?"
Jinx stopped walking abruptly, the others following suit.