Crimson Moonlight

XVII. Hidden Sanctuary

   As dawn broke, the first rays of sunlight painted the sky in hues of pink and gold. The city was slowly waking up, and the early morning chill nipped at my skin as Sunghoon and I made our way through the quiet streets. We were headed to a secret location that Sunghoon had mentioned only in passing—a hidden sanctuary where we could plan our next moves in safety.

"Where exactly is this place?" I asked, curiosity piqued. "You've been pretty mysterious about it." Sunghoon glanced at me, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "It's a safe house, hidden from both human and vampire eyes. Only a select few know of its existence."

   I nodded, intrigued. The idea of a hidden sanctuary sounded almost fantastical, like something out of a novel. We walked in companionable silence, the city gradually becoming more alive around us. Sunghoon led us to a seemingly ordinary building, nondescript and unassuming. He paused at the entrance, glancing around to ensure we weren't being followed, before unlocking the door with a key that looked as old as the building itself.

   Inside, the air was cool and slightly musty, but there was an undeniable sense of security. The interior was spacious and dimly lit, with thick curtains drawn over the windows to block out the daylight. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with ancient tomes and scrolls. A large, worn wooden table occupied the center of the room, cluttered with maps and documents.

"This is it," Sunghoon said, gesturing around. "Welcome to the hidden sanctuary." I walked around, taking in the details. The place felt like a haven, a world apart from the chaos outside. "How did you find this place?" I asked. "It was passed down through generations," Sunghoon explained. "A safe house for those who needed refuge from the dangers of our world. My family helped maintain it, ensuring it remained a secret." I nodded, feeling a sense of reverence for the space. "It's incredible. And it feels safe." "It is," Sunghoon said, his voice softening. "We'll be able to plan our next steps here without interruption."

   We settled at the large table, and Sunghoon spread out a map of the city. He pointed to various locations, marking places of interest and potential threats. As he spoke, I couldn't help but notice the intensity in his eyes, the way he seemed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders.

"Our primary goal is to find the Bloodstone before my brother does," Sunghoon said, tracing a path on the map. "We have leads, but nothing concrete yet. We'll need to gather more information, and that means reaching out to our allies and keeping a low profile." I nodded, absorbing the information. "And what about your brother? He's not going to stop coming after us." "That's true," Sunghoon admitted. "He'll keep sending his minions to track us down. But we have the advantage of knowing this city better than he does. We can use that to our benefit."

   As we discussed our plans, the tension between our growing affection and the ever-present danger around us became palpable. There were moments when our eyes met, lingering just a bit too long, and unspoken words hung in the air. I could feel the connection between us deepening, even as we faced the uncertainties of our mission.

꧁ ____________★____________ ꧂

   Later that evening, as the sun set and cast long shadows across the room, we took a break. Sunghoon prepared a simple meal, and we sat together, the atmosphere more relaxed. "Thank you for bringing me here," I said, breaking the comfortable silence. "It feels like a sanctuary, a place where we can think clearly."

   Sunghoon smiled, his eyes warm. "I'm glad you feel that way. It's important to have a safe space, especially with everything we're dealing with." I hesitated for a moment, then decided to voice the thoughts that had been swirling in my mind. "Sunghoon, do you ever wonder what life would be like if things were different? If we didn't have to fight this battle?"