𝐴𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡𝒉𝑖𝑛𝑒 // 𝐿𝑒𝑒 𝑀𝑖𝑛𝒉𝑜

twenty two.

Of course he followed her.

Minho wasn't gullible in the slightest; he had picked up on her fidgeting hands, the absence of eye contact, and knew that something was going on.

He couldn't wait to see what situation Haneul had gotten herself entangled with that she felt the need to lie to him about it.

It was more difficult than he cared to admit, smothering the pang in his chest at the sight of her with the halfbreed, her eyes lighting up with a smile as they fell into step with each other. Minho almost left then and there.

That was, until his senses flared and he was suddenly repulsed to the point of wincing. Minho scowled in confusion, rubbing his forehead to ease the sudden ache forming behind his eyes. Something was rebutting his aura quite intensely, but what on Earth..?

Dawning realization made his gaze drift up once again, resting on Haneul's figure disappearing into the congested street. There was only one thing, one being, who could make his skin crawl like that.

Oh, Hell no.

-

Regardless of the intimidating, shifting air to the angels, they were incredibly obliging and courteous, allowing Haneul a certain amount of space so as not to be overwhelmed by their auras.

The one who had opened the door, Chan, waited calmly for her to get situated before initiating any conversation. Haneul purposely avoided his eyes; the mixture of beauty and ethereal majesty was too much.

     "Haneul, has Jisung explained exactly why you're here today?"

     The sound of her name dripping from his honeyed tongue made her stiffen, but Haneul nodded, allowing her eyes to rise a bit.

     "To figure out why... I am the way I am, and a solution to it," she offered lamely, cheeks burning at her lack of expression. She shouldn't have been so nervous, and reached for her necklace to calm the pounding of her heart.

     To his credit, Chan just offered a graceful smile. "That's partly why we want to speak with you."

     Gesturing to Hyunjin and Jisung, Chan continued, his wings sweeping the floor as he adjusted.

     "Your friends have long since updated me on the situation you're in, and the fact that you've been spiritually sensitive from a young age. I do apologize for keeping you in the dark about our attempt to help you, however. It was mostly at my request, so as not to alarm or disturb you."

    Jisung glanced down, and Haneul felt a twinge of guilt seep into her chest. Lashing out at him probably hadn't been right, but she would have to apologize for that later.

     "The first thing we want to discuss with you is our hypothesis of why you can see through the mortal veil into the spiritual realm, and the second thing–"

     The angel stopped to give a meaningful, pointed look to Haneul.

     "Is to discuss whether or not your current guardian is fit to continue in the service of your protection."

Reflexively, Haneul opened her mouth; to protest, defend her guardian and his resolve to keep her safe. But something told her to bite her tongue, tamp her exasperation down; Haneul cautiously decided to bide her time and see just exactly what these angels wanted to do with her.

     One of the other angels–Haneul thought his name was Jeongin–grinned invitingly before engaging in the conversation.

"Haneul, I want to talk about your soul first."