Blood Water // Park Sunghoon | ON HOLD |

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓣𝓱𝓲𝓻𝓽𝓮𝓮𝓷

Aura's P.O.V

"You shouldn't have started that fight," Sunghoon scolds Jay with a furrowed brow as Ajumma leads us into her dimly lit shop, the scent of incense lingering in the air.

"We both know the outcome would have ended up the same either way," Jay retorts, his voice laced with defiance as he rolls his eyes. "The way I see it, I gave us the upper hand," he boasts, earning an annoyed glare from Sunghoon.

"The way I see it is you put Aura at risk. That fight could have been avoided," Sunghoon counters, his tone firm and protective. I can't help but sigh as I sink into a chair at a nearby table adorned with a crystal ball, Ajumma really embraces the witchy, psychic stereotypes.

"Can you two not argue right now?" I sigh, feeling a slight headache forming as I rub my temples, trying to push away the memories of the horrific battle we just endured. The tension between Sunghoon and Jay is palpable, but to my relief, neither of them speaks, silently obeying my plea for peace.

Ajumma, ever the comforting presence in her mystical shop, offers me a gentle smile. "I'll get you some tea, darling," she says warmly, her hand resting reassuringly on mine before she disappears behind a shimmering veil of beads.

"What exactly led to that fight?" Heeseung's speaks up, his dark eyes scanning the group as he takes a seat across from me at the table.

"He thought Aura was human and..." Sunghoon trails off, seemingly unsure of how to proceed.

"He wanted a taste," I finish for him, earning a chuckle from Heeseung.

"Ah, I see," he nods his head in understanding. 

"He must have been someone important, did you see how many followers he had?" Jake chimes in, sliding into a seat next to Heeseung at the circular table. The dim light of Ajumma's shop flickers over the gathered group, casting shadows over our faces as we exchange grim glances.

"Weak followers," Jay huffs, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall with a hint of disdain in his voice. The dim light of the shop casts angular shadows across his features, adding to the intensity of his stance.

"He was strong though, he's definitely old," Sunghoon adds, his tone grave as he meets my curious gaze.

"Is that how it works? The older you are, the stronger?" I inquire softly, feeling a shiver of unease creeping down my spine. Sunghoon's solemn nod only deepens my sense of apprehension. It makes me wonder just how old Sunghoon must be, to have effortlessly countered the vampire leader's formidable strength. The thought lingers in the air like a silent specter, casting a shadow over our already tense gathering.

Ajumma finally returns, cradling a delicate glass of warm tea in her hands. "It'll help with your headache, darling," she says softly, setting the tea down in front of me with a gentle smile. Taking a seat at my side, she gazes at me with eyes sparkling with a sense of otherworldly wisdom.

As she reaches up to cup my cheek in her palm, I'm struck by the warmth and tenderness in her touch. "You're just as beautiful as the last time we met," she coos, her voice like music to my ears. I can feel the heat of a blush creeping across my cheeks, but despite the surge of embarrassment, I find myself intrigued by the mysterious witch before me.

"Oh right, Sunghoon mentioned we knew each other before," I say softly, the hint of my memory loss not fazing her a bit. Ajumma nods knowingly, her expression serene as she acknowledges my words. "When was that exactly?" I inquire, my curiosity piqued as I lift the delicate teacup to my lips, savoring the comforting warmth of the brew.

The others exchange wary glances, their silent communication adding to the suspense of the moment as Ajumma leans forward, her gaze distant as if delving into the depths of time itself. "Hmm, I'd have to say well over a hundred years ago," she muses, her words hitting me like a thunderbolt. I nearly choke on my tea, hastily swallowing it down as I stare at her with eyes wide and incredulous, the shock of her revelation reverberating through every fiber of my being.