Beyond Redemption || Lee Know

Seven.

I stare at the ethereal man before me in hesitant awe, his beauty holding my gaze with a tight grasp. I open my mouth to begin to say something, but words escape me as I look at his perfect face. He straightens and flashes me a brilliant, white smile, breaking the ice.

"I'm Hyunjin. Welcome to my home."

I continue looking at him, not a word escaping from my lips. I try to figure out how he's intimidating and inviting all at the same time.

"You look quite tired, Love." Hyunjin continues speaking and looks at me with concern. "Tell me, how are you feeling?"

"How am I feeling?" I snap, his nonchalance breaking me from his trance. "I've been kidnapped by a bunch of men that do nothing but drug me and fight with each other. Or did you mean the part where I'm broken? Because that shit hurts."

He smiles at me with amusement and then holds out his hand to me. "Come here."

I ignore his request, but he tries again. "I won't hurt you, Tristin, you have my word. Come."

Already knowing how Jisung likes to handle things, I assume that my other option is likely being forced, so I reluctantly place my right hand in his. His palm is surprisingly soft, and his fingers close around my hand gently. He leads me towards the back of the room, up the platform, and gestures to the throne.

"Please, sit."

Several of the guards surrounding the throne look between each other, questioning Hyunjin's request. I glance at him hesitantly, and he nods at me, assuring me. When I take a seat in the regal chair, Hyunjin sits down in the floor directly in front of it, crossing his legs like an elementary student.

"Do you know who we are, Tristin? Do you know what we are?" He asks me.

I furrow my brows at him. "I've been asking questions since I got here, but nobody seems willing to spill."

"Well, I won't make an elaborate show of it or make you guess. I'll just tell you, plain and simple. We're vampires, Tristin. Everyone you've met here so far, they're part of my clan."

I chuckle involuntarily. "That's ridiculous."

"Is it, though?" Hyunjin challenges me. "Is it ridiculous, or does it answer some of your questions? Perhaps even questions that you've had for years?"

How would he know about that? All the years of feeling like I was being watched, being followed. The figure in the woods at the fair. The fear in Mrs. Garcia's eyes. But vampires?! It still doesn't make sense...

My stomach drops when I remember my wreck. Seungmin said that Jisung rescued me. But I lost control when something landed on my car. When Jisung landed on my car. He 'got there so quickly' because he's the one that caused it.

I think of their abnormal strength. Jisung healing himself from the broken glass. And his teeth. His mark on my neck and the threat of another bite. Humans don't have teeth like that unless they're fake.

Hyunjin's eyes light up as he sees the realization and the acceptance on my face. But how? What do they want from me?

"You've been following me for years." I state.

He nods gently, confirming. "And I apologize that you've been frightened all this time. I had to wait until it was the right time to bring you here."

"But why? Why am I here?! Nobody has told me anything yet."

Hyunjin leans back on his hands, so unexpectedly casual. "You're right that my men have watching you for a long time, Tristin. And after hearing all they've told me, I have much reason to believe that you would be extraordinarily helpful to me and my people. Invaluable, even."