The Whispers (Underworld 6) VK

38: The Woman

Luna sat across from the woman in a dimly lit room, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched them in her lap. The woman's beauty was almost otherworldly, her sharp features striking against the shadows that danced around her face. Dark, expressive eyes peered at Luna with an intensity that made her feel exposed, as if her every thought was under scrutiny. Even sitting there in silence, the woman's presence was suffocating, a force that radiated power and malice in equal measure.

As Luna relayed the details of Hansol and Seungkwan's relationship, her voice grew weaker with each sentence, her confidence draining under the woman's calculating gaze. The woman sat still, listening in silence, her lips curling into a cold, sinister smile every time Luna mentioned Seungkwan's name. The only sound in the room was Luna's own shaky voice, and the stillness felt oppressive, as if even the walls were watching, holding their breath.

When Luna finally finished, the woman let out a low, amused laugh that sent a chill down Luna's spine. It was a sound laced with cruelty, as if she found the entire situation laughably trivial and delightfully sinister all at once. Luna's stomach twisted; something about that laugh made her feel like prey caught in the gaze of a predator, her fate resting in hands that had no mercy.

"You've been watching them closely, then?" the woman asked, her voice smooth and unhurried, each word lingering in the air like a thin layer of smoke. Her eyes flickered with something dark, something almost gleeful.

Luna hesitated, swallowing hard. "I... I have, but it's just—it's getting difficult. Everyone's watching them, and they're—" She fumbled over her words, trying to explain her frustration with the situation, how it wasn't as simple as just following them around without being noticed.

The woman's smile vanished, and Luna's heart leapt into her throat. The air in the room grew colder, as if the temperature had dropped by several degrees. The woman leaned forward, her gaze narrowing, and Luna felt a wave of dread wash over her. She looked away, unable to meet those piercing eyes.

"Difficult?" the woman repeated, her tone dripping with scorn. "Do you think I care if it's difficult, Luna? You are here because you have a job to do. I don't need excuses, I need results." Her voice was quiet, almost a whisper, but it held an edge that made Luna's blood run cold.

Luna stammered, "I—I understand, but Seungkwan... he's—he's always with Hansol, and it's just—"

Before she could finish, the woman's hand shot out, fingers wrapping around Luna's throat with a grip that was both delicate and deadly. Luna's breath caught, her hands flying to her neck as she tried to pry the woman's fingers off, but it was useless. The woman's strength was inhuman, her grip unyielding.

The woman leaned in close, her face mere inches from Luna's, her dark eyes blazing with fury. "Did you think I brought you here to play games? To watch from the sidelines as they hold hands and make doe eyes at each other?" Her voice was a low hiss, filled with venom. "You are here to do what I ask, without question. And if you're not willing, Luna, I have no use for you."

Luna's vision blurred as the woman's grip tightened, and she let out a choked gasp, her fear reaching new heights. She could feel the strength behind that delicate hand, the ease with which this woman could end her if she so desired. She was reminded of just how powerless she was in the face of this person, this force that seemed to exist outside the bounds of ordinary human limits.

"Listen closely," the woman continued, her voice a whisper that cut like a knife. "I don't care about your petty jealousy. Your task is simple. Keep an eye on them, gather information, and report back to me. If you allow your personal feelings to interfere with my plans again..." She trailed off, letting her grip tighten just enough to drive the point home, before finally releasing Luna.