Evanesce

(Chapter 14) Thunder

We continued driving for a bit, every time I tried to inquire where we were going, Jongin would shush me gently, claiming it a surprise. We drove through the dense forest for a few minutes before pulling over at a small vacant parking lot. The lot was empty apart from some fall leaves blowing in the wind. I saw no buildings or benches around and the sun was setting quickly, casting us into its shadow.

"What are we doing?" I asked slowly, suddenly nervous to be so alone with him. Jongin just smirked and jumped out of the vehicle, opening my door before I could even think about it. I turned to exit the car but his body blocked me, cornering me in the seat. He leaned down to me, resting his hands on my knees, as he kissed my cheek, down my jaw, to my neck. My heart raced at his gentle touch, slowly running his hands up my thighs. My breath caught in my throat as he made his way back to my face, lips ever so gently brushing mine. Jongin rested his forehead against mine, before quietly chuckling at my current state, no doubt he heard my heard pounding against my ribs.

Jongin backed up slightly, before leading my arms to wrap around his neck, pulling him closer to my body. He then effortlessly picked me up, carrying me away from the vehicle bridal style. I gasped at the abruptness, still attempting to calm my erratic heart.

"I need you to close your eyes. Don't open them until I tell you." Jongin demanded calmly. I obeyed and waited for something to happen. I felt a rush of air around as Jongin walked slowly forward, then a sudden dropping feeling, making me slightly nauseous. The knot in my stomach felt as if I jumped out of a plane without a parachute.

I clung to Jongin tightly as I waited to open my eyes. He sat us down gently, placing me on his lap once again. After waiting a few moments, I felt something warm and soft against my lips that made my heart jump from my chest. Jongin kissed me gently as I sat in shock, all senses fully focusing on him. When he pulled back I finally opened my eyes, just to see him smiling at me, partly smug and partly shy, like a young boy with a crush. I blushed and dropped my heard to hide on his shoulder as he laughed at my obvious embarrassment.

"Sorry, I couldn't help myself anymore." He whispered in my ear, causing me to shiver in response. "I guess I must've distracted you from the actual surprise." He said coyly, gesturing to the scenery. We sat atop of one of the lower mountains, barely beneath the clouds. The top was just shear rock with evergreens scattered below, the sunset was now much more visible between the distant mountain range.

The sky was a gradient of orange, pink, yellow, blue, and purple, the sun cast the valley into darkness but ignited the mountaintops with gold light. It was so breath taking, I almost didn't notice how cold the air was around us, until I began involuntarily shivering. I felt Jongin move behind me, then a warm piece of fabric drape over my shoulders. I glanced back at him concerningly, but he shrugged it off, claiming the Wolf blood made him warm enough.

I shoved my arms through the sleeves as I inhaled his sweet scent. Jongin gently pulled me closer to him, enveloping me in his warmth, as we watched the sunset until it disappeared.

"I almost don't want to leave, but I can't let you freeze to death up here either." He joked, resting his head on my shoulder. I sighed in satisfaction, feeling my entire body relax into my protector. Jongin reluctantly stood, lifting my with him, before once again instructing me to close my eyes.

We drove through the darkness in content silence, both of us at peace with the day we spent together. Suddenly my mind awoke, processing the information I gathered today.

"Can I ask you something?" I turned to Jongin curiously. He seemed taken aback but nodded regardless. "How did we get to the top so fast?" I knew Wolves were fast, in wolf form, but we got to the top too fast.

"Oh, that. We're mutts, I'm not sure if anyone told you, that's why we each have our own set of... skills" He said vaguely, making me more curious.

"So yours is... speed?" I mused, Jongin laughed shaking his head.

"Teleportation." He corrected, still smiling.

"If you can bend space at your own will to take you places, what can the others do?" Jongin thought for a long moment.

"You make it sound way cooler than it actually is." He snickered. "Just a quick run down, they can explain their own powers if they want to. Minseok is Ice, Suho is Water, Yixing is our healer, Jongdae is electricity, Chanyeol is fire, Kyungsoo is power, Baek is light and Sehun is wind." I felt my head spin with all this new information.

"What does 'Power' mean?" My confusion was apparent on my face as he chuckled at my ignorance.

"I don't know it's a mix of things honestly, some of our powers are a bit of a wildcard since we're 'Mutt's' so it's difficult to see where some stem from. Kyungsoo and Suho did so much research and put a lot of time into figuring out what his powers are. It seems to derive from Earth, he can warp roots and vines and even rocks at his will if he tries hard enough. But his main power is pure strength. He can break anything but a spell. That's why Kyungsoo and Suho are a killer team together." Jongin spoke so proudly of his brothers, it really showed his respect for them. I smiled at the sentiment, earning a confused glance from Jongin.

"Is it your father who's the Wolf?" I asked hesitantly, not knowing the situation between his parents. He thought for a moment before shaking his head.

"No, that was Mom, she was such a powerful and lovely person.." Jongin chuckled Solemnly

"What is your father then?" I asked carefully as we finally pulled into the driveway. Jongin sat for a moment, staring through the windshield, pondering something. He looked at me nervously, then opened his mouth to speak. Before he could even get a word out someone yanked my door open, startling me. I whipped around to see a beaming Baekhyun in my face.

"Hey guys. Did you have fun?!" He pulled me from the vehicle while Jongin watched in bewilderment. I was led into the house by the hyper boy, and immediately greeted by Suho and Minseok who smiled warmly.

"Kyungsoo is working on dinner now, so go wash up." Minseok told me, Suho nudged him in judgment, causing Minseok to lighten up a bit.

"Seems like you and Jongin had fun today." Suho mused, smiling suspiciously at me. I blushed and looked away, nodding sheepishly. Jongin entered moments later with the bag from the tech shop, taking me by the hand. He led me up the stairs and helped my set up my new phone while Kyungsoo finished preparing dinner.

Jongin was entering his brothers into my contacts when Sehun interrupted, beckoning us to the dining hall. During the walk down, the youngest two bickered about insignificant things, acting as brothers. While moving along the polished staircase, I noticed a figure standing by the front door.

The boys behind me had yet to take notice, it was an older man, he had silvery brown hair that lie flat on his head. His eyes were sharp and cat-like, almost fierce. His features were very feminine and perfect, almost as if he were carved from marble. As the man laid eyes on me, his smile grew into a cheshire grin, closing the distance between him and the staircase to greet us.

"Hello! You must be Minji, the boys have told me so much about you. Lovely to meet you, I'm Leeteuk." He beamed, his perfect white teeth glistened like steel as he leaned forward, Jongin was quick to pull me back.

"You should have given someone notice you were coming." Jongin stated coldly, holding me in place behind him.

"Now is that any way to speak to your father?" The man asked in bewilderment, his tone slightly laced with venom. I peered around Jongin, attempting to read the situation when I noticed them. He smiled smugly at the boys, Leeteuk's blood red eyes were bright with excitement and hunger. It took my breath away as my brain began to put the pieces together.

"You're demons.."