Demon and the Mage (Jeongcheol)

Seungcheol

It took less than an hour to ready ourselves for battle and track down where they were hiding Jeonghan. In that time, Blaise and I had been hit by two more attacks on our powers. Through the bond, I could feel Jeonghan weakening, his fear now trickling through as often as his pain. The only bonus was that he wasn't staying conscious, giving him a reprieve from the terror.

Thanks to Vernon's insistence on a brief run through the club, my powers were better able to withstand the hit. Blaise, however, was a different story. His skin now held a pale green sheen and his hands trembled around his weapons. He seemed to be staying upright through sheer determination alone. Toby was sticking close to him, casting him worried glances out of the side of his eye every now and then.

Vernon, Joshua, Toby, Blaise, and I stood looking at the dilapidated house where Jeonghan was being held. Even shrouded in darkness, I could see the shutters hanging off the windows and the mould creeping up the external walls. We were on the Isle of Wight, a short flight from Southampton. We'd left Seokmin in the heavily warded club, Seungkwan having been flown over by Vernon to join him. After everything that happened last year, we weren't taking any chances. Despite their protests, we'd locked them in Toby's office with weapons and even more wards. Even Blaise had added an extra shield, something that had surprised Joshua.

We were armed to the teeth. Our breath was hanging in the air, all of us braced for what we'd find inside.

I guided my power into the building. It sought out Jeonghan immediately, wrapping around him for a second. He was unconscious, his power substantially drained.

My demon roared, wanting to storm in and claim our mate, but I knew better than to charge in uninformed. It took immense effort, but I pulled my power away to search the rest of the property. I left no corner unexplored, searching out every nook and cranny to be sure.

"It's a trap," I said baldly as my power returned, bringing only bad news. "Eighteen ghasts in the basement with Jeonghan. There's another mage in the basement. His imprint is familiar. I don't think he's a threat. He's out cold. Then there're nine lower demons on the ground floor and two higher. Seven higher demons on the first floor. One duke, one duchess."

Dukes and duchesses were part of Father's inner circle and among the most powerful demons. It was an indicator of just how far the rebellion stretched.

Joshua let out a low whistle, rolling his neck. "Thirty-six supes versus three higher demons, a vamp, and a mage. Sounds like my kinda party."

"Four demons," Soonyoung said, prowling out of the darkness towards us. Another figure tailed him, his wings booming loudly through the air.

"And an angel," Jihoon said, his arms folding over his chest as they came to a halt beside us.

"I told you I don't want you here," Soonyoung hissed.

"And like I told you, you gave up the right to care what I do a long time ago." Jihoon turned his focus to me, his lip twisted sardonically. "What's with you demons and your mates? If I had a mate, there's no way I'd let him be taken from me."

I snarled, tempted to rip Jihoon's head from his shoulders just for the satisfaction, but the look on Soonyoung's face stopped me. He looked...devastated. Like Jihoon's glib remark had sliced his chest wide open, leaving his broken heart exposed for all to see.

I wasn't the only one who noticed. Vernon took a casual step in front of Soonyoung, giving him a moment to pull himself together. "So you're with us?"

Either Jihoon hadn't noticed the effect of his statement, or he didn't care. "I'm in. Where Soonyoung goes, I go."

My brothers' faces mirrored my confusion. How could Jihoon speak of finding his mate in one breath and then refuse to let Soonyoung walk into danger alone in the next?