Crimson Moonlight

XI. Party Attack

   The next day, I woke up early and tried to push the thoughts of danger to the back of my mind. Today was the day of Jisoo's party, and I needed to unwind, even if just for a little while. I met up with Hyerin in the afternoon to go over our outfits and make plans for the evening.

"Eunchae, you look amazing!" Hyerin exclaimed as I stepped out of my room in a sleek, black dress. "Thanks, Hyerin. You look stunning too," I said, admiring her sparkly blue dress.

   We spent the next hour getting ready, chatting and laughing like old times. It felt good to focus on something other than the looming threats and ancient artifacts. As we finished, Hyerin's excitement was infectious, and I found myself looking forward to the party.

꧁ __________★__________ ꧂

   Jisoo's house was already bustling with activity when we arrived. Music blared from the speakers, and the place was filled with students enjoying themselves. Hyerin immediately dragged me to the dance floor, and we lost ourselves in the rhythm of the music.

   For a while, I managed to forget about the dangers lurking in the shadows. I laughed and danced with Hyerin, feeling lighter than I had in days. But as the night wore on, I couldn't help but feel a nagging sense of unease. I glanced around, searching for any familiar faces or signs of trouble.

   Just then, I spotted Sunghoon standing near the edge of the crowd, his eyes scanning the room. He caught my gaze and gave me a small nod, indicating that everything was fine for now. I smiled back, reassured by his presence. "Hey, Eunchae! Come on, let's get some drinks!" Hyerin called, pulling me towards the kitchen.

   We made our way through the crowd, grabbing drinks and chatting with friends. The party was in full swing, and for a while, it felt like a normal night out. But I couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen.

   As we were talking, a sudden commotion near the front door caught my attention. I turned to see a group of unfamiliar faces entering the house, their expressions tense and focused. My heart raced as I realized they must be from another faction.

"Sunghoon," I whispered urgently, searching for him in the crowd.

He was already moving towards me, his eyes locked on the newcomers. "Stay close to me," he said quietly as he reached my side.

   The atmosphere in the room shifted as the newcomers spread out, clearly looking for something—or someone. I felt a chill run down my spine as one of them, a tall man with piercing eyes, zeroed in on us.

"Eunchae, we need to leave. Now," Sunghoon said, his voice low and urgent. I nodded, my pulse quickening. "Hyerin, we have to go." "But why? What's going on?" she asked, confused and concerned. "I'll explain later. Just trust me," I said, grabbing her hand and following Sunghoon towards the back door.

   We made our way through the crowd, trying to stay unnoticed. As we reached the back door, the tall man stepped into our path, blocking our exit. "Going somewhere?" he asked, his voice cold and menacing. Sunghoon stepped forward, his expression calm but determined. "We don't want any trouble. Let us pass." The man sneered, clearly unimpressed. "You're not going anywhere until we get what we came for."

   My heart pounded in my chest as I realized the gravity of the situation. We were trapped, and the artifact was at stake. Suddenly, the room erupted into chaos as Sunghoon and the man clashed. The crowd scattered, and Hyerin clung to my arm, her eyes wide with fear. "Eunchae, what's happening?" she cried, her voice trembling. "Just stay close to me," I said, trying to keep her calm.

   Sunghoon fought fiercely, his movements swift and precise. But the man was strong, and the fight quickly drew the attention of the other newcomers. They surrounded us, their intentions clear.

   Desperation filled me as I looked around for a way out. I spotted a window nearby and turned to Hyerin. "We're going to have to make a run for it."   She nodded, her fear replaced by determination. Together, we scrambled towards the window, hoping to escape before it was too late. But just as we reached it, one of the newcomers grabbed my arm, pulling me back.

"Let her go!" Sunghoon shouted, his voice filled with anger and desperation. I struggled against the grip, but the man was too strong. "Sunghoon!" I cried, panic rising in my chest.

   Sunghoon broke free from his opponent and rushed towards me, his eyes blazing with fury. He attacked the man holding me, his movements a blur of strength and precision. With a final, powerful blow, he knocked the man to the ground and pulled me into his arms.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. I nodded, my breath coming in short gasps. "Yes, but we need to get out of here."

   He kissed my head, then glanced around, assessing the situation. The fight had drawn the attention of the other partygoers, and the room was in chaos. "Follow me," he said, leading us towards another exit.

   We moved quickly, Hyerin close behind us. As we reached the door, another figure stepped into our path. This time, it was a woman with cold, calculating eyes. "You're not going anywhere," she said, her voice dripping with malice. Sunghoon stepped forward, his body tense and ready for a fight. "Move, or you'll regret it."

   The woman laughed, a chilling sound that sent shivers down my spine. "You're outnumbered. Just give us the artifact, and we'll let you go." "I don't think so," Sunghoon replied, his voice steady.

   Before the woman could react, Sunghoon lunged at her, his movements a blur. They clashed, and I watched in awe as Sunghoon fought with a ferocity I had never seen before. But the woman was skilled, and the fight was evenly matched.

"Eunchae, we need to help him," Hyerin whispered urgently. I nodded, my mind racing. I had to think quickly. I glanced around and spotted a heavy vase on a nearby table. Without hesitation, I grabbed it and hurled it at the woman, aiming for her head.

   The vase shattered on impact, and the woman staggered, momentarily disoriented. Sunghoon seized the opportunity, delivering a final, powerful blow that sent her crashing to the ground. "Let's go!" he shouted, grabbing my hand and pulling me towards the door.

   We burst out into the night, the cool air a stark contrast to the chaos inside. We ran through the dark streets, our footsteps echoing off the buildings. My heart pounded in my chest, and I could hear Hyerin's ragged breaths beside me. "Where are we going?" she gasped, struggling to keep up. "Somewhere safe," Sunghoon replied, his grip on my hand firm.

   We ran for what felt like hours, finally reaching a secluded park. We slowed to a stop, gasping for breath and looking around to make sure we hadn't been followed. "Are you okay?" Sunghoon asked, turning to Hyerin. She nodded, her face pale but determined. "I think so. But what was that all about? Who were those people?"

   Sunghoon glanced at me, and I knew it was time to tell Hyerin the truth. "It's a long story," I said, taking a deep breath. "But you deserve to know everything."

   As we sat down on a nearby bench, I began to explain the events of the past few weeks. I told Hyerin about Sunghoon's true nature, the factions, and the artifact we had found. Her eyes widened with each revelation, but she listened intently, her expression serious.

"So, you're telling me that Sunghoon is a vampire and that we're in the middle of some ancient power struggle?" she asked, her voice incredulous."Yes," I replied, glancing at Sunghoon. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I wanted to keep you safe."

   Hyerin shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "You always did have a knack for getting into trouble, Eunchae"

꧁ __________★__________ ꧂