𝕭𝖑𝖔𝖔𝖉 𝕻𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖈𝖊───
"Dance for me." The figure on the throne said.
Her throat felt dry. Even in the dark, she could sense his eyes on her, tracking her every move.
She couldn't place what it was, but something about his intimidating aura made...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
In the darkness, there was nothing. Ji-ah felt as though she could drift here forever, weightless and still. But then—
A distant scream tore through the silence.
Ji-ah jolted awake, her breath coming in shallow gasps as her eyes darted around. The world was a blur, her chest tight with panic. Where was she? What happened?
The chill of the wind reached her skin, carrying the faint scent of smoke. She realized she was lying on the carpeted floor.
Her head throbbed as memories before she collapsed rushed back. Ji-ah gasped before her hand shot to her stomach. But there was no wound. No blood. Just smooth fabric beneath her trembling fingers.
She slowly pushed herself to her feet, her body strangely light, as if she wasn't fully grounded in this reality. She's still trapped here, in this dream. But it was more like a nightmare.
Her mind raced with fragmented thoughts. She thought of Sunoo's evil smile, her heart still unable to believe the betrayal.
Had Jungwon and the others known? If they didn't... if they didn't, she had to get back to them—warn them before it was too late.
Another sharp scream echoed through the corridor, pulling her fully into the present.
Ji-ah's breath hitched as she took in her surroundings. She was back in the palace. But it was nothing like she remembered.
Shattered glass littered the floor, icy wind howled through the broken windows, and heavy curtains flapped like torn wings. Furniture lay overturned, cabinet doors hanging loose, their contents scattered across the carpet.
Dark splotches of crimson stained the once-elegant rug, and Ji-ah didn't need to get closer to know what it was.
Her stomach turned.
A figure emerged from the shadows at the far end of the corridor, and Ji-ah realized it was Ni-ki.
"Ae-ra, behind you!" he shouted.
Ji-ah spun around just as a towering vampire lunged at her, blood dripping from his torn clothes and a gleaming sword raised high.
Before she could react, Ni-ki was there—faster than a shadow. He intercepted the vampire mid-strike, his blade slicing clean through his chest. The vampire let out a strangled cry before disintegrating into ash, scattering across the floor.
Ji-ah froze, her breath caught in her throat as the ashes settled around Ni-ki's boots.
"Why are you still standing there?" Ni-ki's deep voice cut through her paralysis. His sharp gaze locked onto hers, unyielding. "Get out of here. Now."
"Where's Jungwon?" Ji-ah voice shook. She wasn't aware of what she was saying until she stopped herself.
"He's fine," Ni-ki said, his eyes darkening. "You need to leave now."
