BORN BETWEEN THE CURTAINS OF DREAMS

Esme crossed her arms. "I literally just found out I was a fairy a few hours ago, okay?"

Yoo-jin groaned. "Goodness. Shouldn't you have a guardian or something?"

Esme's lips pressed together. "I do... I did. Haven't seen them in a bit."

Yoo-jin's eyes widened slightly. "Wow. That's... chaotic. Imagine if those maniacs-or worse, the Circle-got to you first."

Esme frowned. "Who are they?"

Yoo-jin exhaled, rubbing her temples as if deciding where to even begin.

"Alright, let's start simple. I'm a magical being-just like you. But our magic is different. I naturally allure and enchant, which is why you feel that pull towards me." She took a step closer, her voice turning softer, almost hypnotic. "And you, my dear..."

She paused, letting the words sink in.

"You are the first full-blooded fae to exist in both worlds. There are no full-born fae here. There haven't been for centuries. Which is why you must not let your magic run wild."

Esme swallowed, her heartbeat quickening. "Or else... who will come for me?"

"The maniacs and the Circle."

Esme took a step back. "You keep saying that. Who are they?"

Yoo-jin's gaze darkened.

"The place you transformed-Fairylandia-it's a realm no one has entered in centuries. The gateway between the mortal world and the fae realm was sealed long ago. No one should have been able to cross over."

She studied Esme, as if trying to solve a puzzle that made no sense.

"Which means someone-someone incredibly powerful-hid your true self. Shielded your magic for who knows how long. And somehow you slipped through the cracks."

She folded her arms.

"And that? That makes you & your situation dangerous."

Esme's breath hitched. "But... I was raised human."

Yoo-jin gave her a knowing look.

"You're not human, Esme. You're not even a halfling. Your kind belongs on the other side of the gate."