Skin, Wings, Fangs, Scales

CHAPTER XVII: Missed Calls

“Hello?”

Soon as Wheein answered the call, she recognized the voice behind the other line.

“Yes, Agent 53?”

Six in the morning and Yerim was already struggling to keep her heavy eyes open. Piles of paperwork were stacked on her desk, complimenting her slumped shoulders. Oh, was she was glad Wheein picked up. Hiding her exhaustion, she replied, “Ms. Jung, are you aware of where Moon is?”

Wheein sat up on her bed and slowly stretched. She felt soreness on her back, accompanied by a low grunt as the weight of her belly became evident. Beside her lay Hyejin, who chose to keep her eyes closed despite being awake. Hearing the question made the fairy raise a brow, both from the caller's state and the nature of it.

“I've been calling her for days. She hasn't answered. Do you not keep track of her?”

Silence followed Wheein's retort. Should she admit to it? But that is also telling that she did a bad job with following Moon's steps, that she was indeed tracking her. Yerim tightened her blue tie and her mind wandered off to some excuse.

“We have been trying to contact her the past few days. Since she had gone to Romania, there has been no word from her.” Yerim's brows furrowed. Moon Byul's sudden disappearance has caused her immeasurable stress. The gumiho was her assignment, her top priority that had gone south.. Or to Europe, or wherever..

“My best bet would be that she's gone somewhere with no signal. I could try to call her again and call you back later,” Wheein suggested.

Yerim's tone brightened a little. In a situation as delicate as this, even the smallest assurance proved important. “Oh, that would be helpful. Please tell her that we have conducted an investigation she would like to hear of. Goodbye, Ms. Jung.”

“I will tell her,” Wheein assured the agent. The call ended, and she lowered her phone with a sigh.

“Oh, Byul.. What are you up to now?”

“She's searching for something, isn't she?” Hyejin opened her eyes and spoke after hearing Wheein mumble. She rose, turning a knowing glance towards her girlfriend. “Si-won, was it? She called me last night. The fox might be in trouble again.”

Wheein looked at her wrist. Come to think of it, the mark did glow some time last night. But she felt no pain, leading her to dismiss any thoughts of Byul being in trouble. Thoughts began racing, traces of fear invading her mind. Moon Byul had been gone for three days, and she had no idea of where she had gone except Romania. What if.. No. That couldn't be.. She was unaware of Moon Byul's current state, and summoning her could be a bad move.

Moon Byul felt a slight tug at her wrist. She glanced at her skin, recognizing a faint glow from the mark. Her eyes widened when it clicked, and she pinched the bridge of her nose, her whiskers popping out.

How could she forget? Her soul was bound to Wheein's, and what she had gone through hell would transfer to the fairy. She ruffled her hair, annoyed at her own clumsiness. Her urge to go eavesdrop on the conversation between Joohyun and Yongsun grew stronger. But her fear of gaining disapproval from the vampire was strongest, and she respected Joohyun far too much. Wheein.. She hoped her friend was alright.

“What do I need to pay in exchange for your help with finding someone?”

Yongsun uttered the question, her tone neutral and missing any hint of hesitation. Her aplomb demeanor made Seulgi hide behind her master. She stayed focused on the witch, however, demanding an instant answer.

“Sorin, you..” Irene watched the vampire's eyes, a broken window to her hollow soul. Now more than ever, Sorin was closest to being human on the physical aspect. Yet the truth was, two hundred years ago, Sorin was far more human in cadence and grace. How things have changed for the worse.