\\ NIGHT\\ Fantasy AU \ ATEEZ Fanfic

// Chapter 35 \\

"Then what do I need to know?" Seonghwa asked as he rose from his chair. His signature neutral face was plastered on him as he stared down Hongjoong.

Hongjoong took a deep breath, straightening his suit jacket before he spoke, "A Taker came to my palace last night."

Seonghwa visibly tensed as all attention fell onto Hongjoong in the room.

"An attack happened in the Southern Court?" Yeosang asked, eyebrows furrowed as he stared at his companion in concern.

Hongjoong shook his head, "No, they were completely covered in robes— or, well, she— it sounded like a she anyway. I felt the Taker's cold presence and I looked to my balcony to find the robed figure there. The Taker said to deliver a message to you, Cress."

Seonghwa's mouth was slightly agape as he looked to Hongjoong, "Well?"

Hongjoong breathed, "I-it was a threat. She said 'You caught the wrong person— an innocent soul being claimed as a spy. Your downfall is coming. There's nothing you can do to save her now-"

There was a shattering of glass as my head spun to look at Seonghwa. The food that had been set in front of him was now scattered on the floor along with broken glass. Seonghwa breathed heavily as he haunched over the table, enraged dark golden eyes scanning the clothed material underneath his hands.

Hongjoong had immediately jolted back, going wide-eyed at the scene. Yeosang immediately turned around to inspect Seonghwa with narrow eyes. Yunho had slightly jolted from next to me, but I could tell he was watching Seonghwa now. All of us were watching Seonghwa, but I knew exactly why pure rage burned in his eyes.

I was wrong: Bomi wasn't the spy. Either there wasn't one at all or they were still hiding among us. However, the bigger reason for Seonghwa, was that it was a threat that he could never save his lover, Aurora.

We'd sat there for minutes watching Seonghwa. He finally closed his eyes and took a deep breath before looking backup to Hongjoong, "Was there anything else the Taker said?"

Hongjoong shook his head, grimacing, "She jumped from the balcony, I quickly peered down below but she wasn't in sight. I even had guards search the vicinity of the palace. No victims— nothing."

Yeosang bit the inside of his cheek as he swirled his wine around, "This isn't good. Takers don't normally act like this. Whatever they're planning, they're getting a bit more cocky about it. However, in doing so, they're revealing a side of them none of us have seen before. Something that might cause some of us to... overreact."

The glares Yeosang and Seonghwa shared were deadly and had the room hold back their breaths at the thick tension. However, now bellowing yells or eruptions of magic were made in that thick tension— we all knew we couldn't afford that. Instead, Seonghwa broke his gaze, lowering his head as he closed his eyes with a deep breath.

Hongjoong bit his lip before he let his mouth sit agape for a moment, "I hate to say it but... I agree with you, Lupine-"