Hey guys! So, this epilogue is an account of what is happening to V. I decided to split it into three or four parts, because I really didn't want to leave you guys on a cliffhanger ending. Also, the setting changes pretty constantly, so keep a sharp lookout for that. 

The time period is one year after the last chapter. 

I year later

Epilogue: V

It isn't that the building of Bloodcrest is ugly.

It just lacks architectural design.

I understand that it is meant to be fear-inspiring, with its tall sharp towers and barbed wire fences. But I'm still not impressed. Perhaps it is because the architect has put in one too many blue-fire torches in the courtyard. Or that all the training barracks look like squat little toads made of wood. But I am impressed with how many people, or students, Bloodcrest manages to kill in a year. Their dying screams provide a very nice soundtrack when I turn in for the night.

I shake my head to dispel those thoughts. I had promised myself ― and Jungkook― that I would stop thinking murderous thoughts. It isn't easy. I've had my fair share of kills throughout the years, and my urge for blood hasn't cooled very much. Of course, living next to Bloodcrest for a decade may have something to do with it. But I really don't have any desire to move. I find this place almost... relaxing. No one in the streets looks twice at me, too afraid of Bloodcrest's power to even look up from their work. And it also helps that there's a bustling illegal black market just blocks away. It is one of the reasons I picked this place to be my temporary home.

Today, I am resting in a high tree just overlooking the menacing barbed wire fences surrounding Bloodcrest. The training fields are deserted in the dark hours of night, though some lights in the barracks are still on. The first dots of stars are starting to blink into existence in the ink-black sky, when the front iron gates of Bloodcrest open with a loud creak. I look down, expecting to see a low-ranking soldier ready to go out on nightly patrols through the town, or a Mask eagerly walking down to the brothels on the docks.

What I didn't expect is a student.

It's not everyday that you see such a small, cloaked figure running away from Bloodcrest at night. I'm surprised that whoever it is even managed to even get out, considering that Bloodcrest's security is top-notch. As I watch, the cloaked figure quickly looks left and right, before running down a narrow alleyway.

This could be interesting.

I abandon my roost on the high sycamore tree, and fly down silently to follow the student. She's smaller than I expected. A first-year, by the looks of it. Those are usually the ones who come in with hope, hope that they can survive and become one of the greatest warriors in the vampire kingdoms. At least half die trying.

But this girl doesn't seem to be running away. She doesn't have any pack, food, or even a flask of water. The only weapon she has is a sheathed dagger dangling from her belt. Either she's a horrible planner, or her aim is something else. I find myself more intrigued by the second, and touch down silently on the ground just a few meters away from her.

"Where do you think you're going?"

The little girl jumps, then looks guilily around. When her eyes meet mine, she lets out a little squeak, backing away in horror. There is something about her ruby red eyes which looked vaguely familiar, though I can't remember from where. She is wearing an inconspicuous black dress and cloak, but is obviously a student of Bloodcrest as she has the school crest tattooed on the back of her hand. Her cloak is fastened at the base of her throat with what I suppose is a family crest. A rose, etched deep into the silver metal. What clan is that again? The name is at the tip of my tongue, but I can't remember. The knowledge seems to get farther and farther away as I grasp at it, so in the end I give up, focusing my attention once more on the little girl.

"Curfew passed fifteen minutes ago," I say with amusement. "What are you doing outside the gates of Bloodcrest? And the truth please. Lies bore me."

"I―I need to get medicine for a friend," the girl stammars. "But the centurions wouldn't allow me to go out and buy some, so..."

"So you decided to sneak out at night after curfew to get some." At her terrified expression, I chuckle.

"Oh relax." I wave my hand dismissively. "I'm not going to report you. I don't want anything to do with you. Do what you want, I don't care. I like rebels like you."

Relief sweeps across her face, but her eyes are still guarded. She doesn't trust me yet. Wise decision. She starts to back away, then stops, as an idea seems to strike her. She turns back to me, and I raise an eyebrow.

"Can you please help me find my way to the apothecary?" The girl asks hopefully. "I know the general direction, but... it would be nice to have a guide. And you seem to know the city so well!"

I snort. "Do I look like a messenger to you? Just because I'm not turning you in doesn't mean I'm helping you. I help no one."

The girl looks disappointed, but doesn't try to argue. As I start to walk away, my mind wanders back to the rose crest on her cloak. A rose. A briar rose. Blooming against a silver background. Now, what clan has a rose for a crest... ah, yes. The Sirius. And who were the Sirius rulers again? King Taehyung, and Queen...

I turn around so fast that the little girl jumps. Her hand instantly goes to her dagger, and she shifts into a fighting stance. She's smart enough to know that something has changed. We both stare at each other, mutually weary, but for different reasons.

"What are your parent's names?" I fight to keep my breathing controlled. If she is who I think she is...

"Like I would tell you!" The girl snaps as her eyes dart around, looking for an escape route. But I'm one step ahead of her, and when she lunges to the right, I block her way. I grab her wrist, leaning my face close to hers. Her breath comes out in short gasps. "What are your parent's names?" I hiss at her. "Tell me!"

"Get lost!" She struggles in my grip, but I'm not letting go. Not until I have answers. "Are your parent's names Kim Taehyung and Jeon Jungkook?" I ask her. She's so surprised, that it takes her a moment to hide the recognition on her face. But it's too late. I now know.

"Jungkook." I breathe. So this girl is his child? Now that she mentions it, I see the resemblance clearly. Those crimson eyes and raven hair. That expression which naturally puts people at ease. She is Jungkook's child through and through. Why hadn't I noticed before?

"Let go of me!" She sends a vicious kick to my kneecaps. I gently set her on the ground, and she quickly scrambles back a few meters from me. She's afraid. No wonder.

"My name is V," I tell her, hoping to make things better. "I won't harm you, I promise."

She looks confused for a moment longer, before her face breaks into a pleasantly surprised smile. "V! I was wondering why you looked so much like my father! Yes, mother's told us about you. You're the shadow spirit that destroyed Shadow Valley, but also saved my mother's life. To think that I found you here!" She sounds so excited, nothing like the scared girl she was a moment ago. When she smiles, I see even more of Jungkook in her than before. It hurts.

"What's your name?" I ask her.

"Areum." She gives a small bow.

"Well Areum," I say, "I owe your parents a favor from long ago. I think it's about time that I pay it off, don't you? I'll escort you to the apothecary. It's not safe for you to be wandering around at night alone."

"Oh really?" she chirps, excited. "Yes, that would be wonderful. Thank you!" I can see the obvious relief on her face, and feel a twinge of guilt for having refused her before. If she was any normal student, it isn't a far shot to think that I would have left them to fend for themselves. But the fact that she's Jungkook's daughter complicates things. Her wandering alone at night calls for unwelcome attention, and I didn't like the idea.

I lead the way through the narrow winding streets, with Areum running to catch up with me. I don't slow down, as I know that she has enough stamina to keep walking alongside me, and she would want to get the medicine as quickly as possible. As we walk, Areum tells me about her home life. She has a brother, two years younger than her, who has golden brown eyes instead of crimson. She loves Armad Castle, which is her home, and her family.

"And your parents?" I ask, trying to sound indifferent. "Are they happy?"

"Last time I saw them, yes." Something on the border of longing enters her tone. "I haven't seen them in more than seven months. School leave only comes for five days a year, you know. But in a few months, I'll be able to see them again."

"That's nice." A few months. In a few months, Jungkook would be coming to Bloodcrest to meet his daughter. Would it be possible for me to see him again, at least for a few seconds? The thought is almost too good to be true, and I find myself smiling as I think of how Jungkook would react when he sees me.

Areum looks at me wearily. "Did you date my mother, by any chance?"

A muscle in my jaw twitches. "Why do you think that?"

She shrugs. "The way you talk about him. Like he's one of the most precious jewels you've ever encountered. And not to mention that you look exactly like my father. Really, you two could be twins!" She laughs, though I can't see anything amusing about it.

"No. We never dated." I leave it at that, and Areum doesn't question it. Smart girl.

"So what kind of medicine do you need?" I ask, changing the subject. Areum's face turns serious again.

"Willow extract. And I wouldn't mind getting some witch hazel too. The cuts on her back looked deep."

I nod. "Witch hazel is easy enough to get. But the willow extract may pose a problem. It's in short supply these days, and the only place where you can count on getting it is..."

"The black market," she finishes for me, her gait suddenly slowing down. I understand her fear. The black market is the one place that even Bloodcrest forbids their students to go. It is a place with no rules, filled with rebels and murderers, and illegal goods. Going there when you are a Mask is dangerous. Going there when you're just a first-year at Bloodcrest is absolute suicide. Especially when you are as pretty as Areum.

"Don't worry," I tell her when I see her nervously twisting her hands together. "You're with me. I won't let anything harm you."

She gives me a grateful smile. "You... you're a very kind shadow spirit." I stare at her. Kind? I've been called many different names throughout the centuries, but never kind. No one except Jungkook had even bothered to learn my name. But I smile and nod at her. If she thinks I am kind, then why try and change her opinion? But the only thing I tell her is,

"Get ready. We're nearing the black market."

☆☆☆

Sneaking into the black market is child's play.

Making sure that the hilt of my dagger is visible, I saunter straight into the bustling crowd. The best way to blend in, is to look like you actually belong here. And I do. I come here all the time. Areum hurries along my side, dark locks of hair curling in the wind.

"Pull your hood up," I hiss at her. "Do you want to attract attention?" She hurriedly pulls her black hood over her head, her eyes darting around nervously. She moves closer to my side. At the same moment, a hand clamps down on my arm. I lash out with my knife, satisfied to hear a pained cry from the owner, and the hand releases mine quickly. I take a look around. If someone tried to ambush me so fast, what else lay in store?

This place stinks of liquor and animal dung, and the air is filled with the squabble of bidders and buyers. Stalls line each side of the road, and even though the outside looks humble, what they sell is anything but. I see a group of men haggling over pairs of wicked looking scimitars, and testing them by swinging them into the crowd at random. Illegal drugs and vials of blood are piled up like small mountains in front of a few ramshackle dwellings, while others have firepowder barrels packed together in a dangerously haphazard position. But the most abundant thing is blood. Human blood. I even see one sign advertising humans for sale. I pull Areum along quickly, wanting to get to the apothecary as fast as I could.

"I hope you've learned some fighting moves at Bloodcrest," I whisper to her. "You might need them." I can hear her gulp.

The apothecary is a squat, small little house at the end of the street. We duck into the shop. The roof is so low that I nearly hit my head. The smell of herbs washes over me, tinged by something dark and bitter. I wrinkle my nose as Areun walks over to the counter. A girl no older than her looks at us through sharp gold eyes, but Areum refuses to be daunted. Herbs hang in bunches over her head, and thousands of vials line the wall behind her.

"Some willow extract, please. And also a packet of witch hazel." She says, in a clear, high voice.

The girl nods, and rummages through a drawer or two before emerging with a packet of witch hazel. Setting that on the counter, she scratches her chin, holds up a finger for us to wait, and then disappears through the back door.

A minute passes. Then another. I can see Areum's agitation mounting, and my patience is also dwindling. Was is taking her so long? Finally, the girl slips back through the back door, holding a vial of something clear. She sets it next to the witch hazel, then holds her hand out for money. Areum squints at the clear glass bottle, before nodding. "It's willow extract." She presses a few gold coins into the girl's hand, and the girl pockets them with a smile.

Then she looks at me for the first time. Once her eyes meet mine, she lets out a small shriek of fear. I frown. Is my reputation so bad even here that people cower when they see me? But once she looks over my facial features, she starts to relax. It is not me that spooked her, I realize. It is my eyes. Still frowning, I walk out of the shop with Areum close at my heels.

"Why was the girl so scared of my eyes?" I wonder out loud.

Areum shrugs, too happy to care about what I'm saying. "You do look pretty intimidating. Maybe she was just afraid of the half dozen weapons strapped to your back."

"I suppose." I say slowly. Something is off about this whole thing. To be afraid of me is one thing. To be afraid of my eyes signals that she is not afraid of me, but of someone else with the same eyes. But who?

Suddenly, I hear the laughter of people nearby. Areum and I exchange a glance, before ducking into a dark alleyway. To get this far just to be caught is unacceptable.

One man, surrounded by three women who are obviously from a brothel, comes walking down the street. And yet, it is not just any man. It is a Mask. I curse low under my breath. A normal soldier may overlook us, not wanting to search in a dark and deserted alleyway. But a Mask is a different problem altogether. They sense the presence of people like how a viper sniffs out their prey. I quickly glance at the walls surrounding us. I could fly up, yes, but the Mask would then certainly notice us, and there would be nothing stopping him to report to Bloodcrest. No, the best decision is to stay put. I pull Areum deeper into the shadows, hoping that the Mask wouldn't notice us.

But luck is not on our side. As the Mask waves goodbye to the half-drunk women, his gaze seems to sharpen, and his eyes scour the area. He slowly puts one foot in front of the other, as if calculating his next move. How he can sense us I do not yet understand. I have a level of respect for Bloodcrest's training, but right now, I'm wishing that Masks could be a little bit stupider. I focus on the Mask again, only to find his beady little eyes already staring at me.

And then he looks straight at us.

"Areum, go back." I say sharply. She hesitates, looking between me and the Mask. I grab her hand and push her behind me. I would never forgive myself if something happened to Jungkook's daughter. The Mask walks towards us, barely glancing at me before focusing on the Bloodcrest tattoo on Areum's hand.

"Curfew passed hours ago," the masked warrior says sharply. "You're a first-year, aren't you? What are you doing out of Bloodcrest? I'll have to punish you, you know." His eyes gleam, obviously enjoying the fear in Areum's eyes. I step forward.

"She's here with me. I took her out of the school by force." The Mask's gaze sweeps over me. I look dangerous enough that my cover story seems plausible. I continue, "Centurion Titus lent her to me for... a night's work."

"Well she'll be punished all the same," the Mask concludes. "She shouldn't be out at this hour."

"I could say the same thing about you," I say, suddenly disgusted. "Look at you, hanging out with three women before midnight. You 're not supposed to be in the black market and we both know that."

The man bristles, drawing himself up to full height, which is still a few inches shorter than me. "I'm a centurion. And a Mask. I can travel anywhere I want. My actions are not your concern!" We both glare at each other, and my hand itches to go for my scim. If I just kill him here, all our problems would be solved. I knew I could. But that would be messy, and I didn't want Areum to witness such gore if possible. But there seemed to be no choice. Just as I am about to draw my scim―

"Leave it, soldier." Another voice comes from the shadows. Soft, but with a deadly edge that the Mask had failed to produce. We all turn around, looking for the source of the voice. The Mask has one hand on his scim. "Show yourself!" He commands.

For a while, there is nothing. Then, a figure detaches itself from the shadows, cloaked fully in black with a long, wicked looking sword dangling from his side. The hood of his black cloak is pulled over his head, masking his face, and two double-bladed scims are strapped to his back. The hilt of a dagger is visible in his pocket, and another beneath his sleeve. I'm ready to bet that he has at least four knives hidden in his boots. His mask is black. It covers all of his face except for his eyes and lips down, but doesn't seem to be melding with the skin. He isn't a student of Bloodcrest, that is for certain.

Because his dark void-like eyes mark him as a shadow spirit.

I narrow my eyes at him. Our kind didn't like to mix with vampires by nature. In my case, it was inevitable, but what was in it for him? He is obviously a free spirit, who has no need for a human host anymore. The shadow spirit ignores my glare, having only eyes for the silver-faced mask. "Leave. Your accusations tire me."

The Mask's scowl deepens, if possible. "And who in the ten hells are you?"

"You don't need to know who I am," The low, drawling voice comes again. "But you do need to know that you're trespassing on my territory. And I don't tolerate people who cause scenes. Get out."

"Territory?" The Mask scoffs. "Since when was the black market someone's territory?"

"It always was," the voice replies. "You were just too naive to notice. Now, leave. Or must I force you?"

The Mask's eyes bulge. "You can't order me around! I'll have to arrest you too, it seems. You need to leave here and come with me at once!"

"Oh no." The soft voice says again, this time with a hint of a smile. "I'm afraid it's you who needs to leave. By force, if necessary. I hope you're good at marching, soldier."

He flicks his hand, and the Mask's knees suddenly lock together, and his back straightens as if pulled by a string. Only his eyes betray his panic as he salutes smartly, before he is force-marched off in the opposite direction. I turn to look at the shadow spirit, grudgingly impressed. But he is still not to be trusted.

"Who are you?" I growl at the shadow spirit. He looks up nonchalantly, like he's seeing me for the first time. His eyes glint maliciously behind his black mask.

"I could ask you the same thing. You're trespassing in my domain. If you don't leave right now, I'll have no choice but to force you."

I glare at him. "You may not have noticed, but I'm also a shadow spirit. Your magic won't work on me."

The man shrugs. "There are always more ways than one."

Areum tugs on my sleeve, biting her lip. Her medicine is clutched in her hand, and she looks wearily between me and the shadow demon like a frightened bunny. I could handle the shadow spirit hurting me, but there is no way that I would let him hurt Areum. "Don't you dare threaten us."

The man bares his teeth. "You're here without my permission. I can speak to you however I want." As he speaks, moonlight peeks through the angry gray clouds in the sky, shining down on us. It illuminates the stranger's face, just for one second. But that one second makes the ground rock below me.

I have to bite back a gasp. His face is covered by the mask, but I see enough. The stranger's dark raven hair is achingly familiar, as is his heart-shaped lips. His eyes are swirling pockets of darkness, but other than that... other than that...

"Jungkook." I can't believe what I'm seeing. Distantly, the logical part of my mind is insisting that it can't be Jungkook. Jungkook isn't a shadow spirit, and Taehyung most certainly wouldn't allow him to be in the black market of Bloodcrest at this hour. But the similarities... skies. It is exactly like looking in a mirror.

The man delicately raises an eyebrow. "Whoever I am, I can assure you that I am not Jungkook. Now, are you leaving, or do I have to resort to worse measures?"

"No. We were just leaving anyway." Areum intervenes, before I can get a word out. "Come on." She pulls me by the sleeve, and I reluctantly turn away. She half-drags, half-walks me over to the exit of the black market, sometimes turning around to see if the shadow spirit is following us. I half hope he is, but there is no sign of him in the shadowy lanes with people milling by.

As we cross the bridge separating the towns from Bloodcrest, I suddenly stop. Areum looks at me quizzically, her feet stopping too. We both stare at each other, while I try to convey my message with my eyes.

"I need to go back." I murmur, staring down at the water.

"Are you crazy?" Areum insists. "The guy is obviously dangerous. You shouldn't get mixed up with people like that. Though," she shudders. "He looked exactly like Jungkook, didn't he? What in the world is going on?"

"That's exactly what I want to figure out." I say. "And the only way to do that is to speak with him. Don't worry," I say, seeing her scared expression. "I've faced far worse than him. I'll be fine."

Areum stays silent for a long minute, before smiling sadly. "It's because he looks like Jungkook, isn't it?" My body stiffens, but she continues. "I don't blame you. It's been more than twelve years since you last saw him after all. I can understand it might come as a shock. But don't make rash decisions, V. That man isn't Jungkook. There's no reason for you to go back."

"But there is," I whisper. "You've never been in love, so you may not understand. But all these years, I've tried. Tried to make myself move on, tried to ignore his memory. But it keeps coming back. All of it. And now, the exact lookalike of Jungkook is wandering the streets of Bloodcrest, and you expect me to not go after him? I at least need some answers, Areum. And he might be the only way I can get them."

Areum lets out a heavy sigh. It doesn't suit her young face. "I can't change your mind, can I? Then at least tell me if something happens, okay?"

I smile at her. "Of course. Do you need help getting back inside Bloodcrest?"

She shakes her head. "No thank you. The centurions are all asleep by now. It'll be a piece of cake to sneak back in." She starts to wave her hand, then pauses. "Do me a favor V, and don't go back tonight. Go tomorrow."

"Alright," I sigh. A day of waiting wouldn't kill me. "Now, you should head back before anyone starts missing you."

Areum smiles, winking at me. "By the way, I'm rooting for you."

☆☆☆

The same time next day, I'm back in the black market. I lean casually on one of the pillars of the crumbling buildings, watching the few people in the streets at this hour. They all avert their gazes, looking as shady as I feel. But the one person I want to speak to still isn't here. But he'll come, sooner or later. One thing about shadow spirits is that we never back down from a challenge. And stepping into his territory uninvited definitely qualifies as that.

I feel his presence before I see him. Something comes hurtling at me in a whirl of silver and black, but I deflect the throwing star with a twitch of my scim. I hear a snarl to my left, and quite suddenly, the hooded figure is upon me. I duck his first blade, but the second I need to counter. Our blades clash together, and only his unmatched agility saves him from my scim. This shadow spirit is quicker than any I've ever faced. He uses his smaller body to his advantage, neatly ducking my thrusts and parrying. It also doesn't help that I'm not fighting to kill. I need him alive.

Finally, I succeed in tackling him to the ground, my arm around him in a viselike grip. His hood falls back, revealing the agonizingly beautiful pale face covered with the black fabric that is his mask. I grab his wrist in a deathgrip, making him release the knife he is holding in his hand. He bares his teeth at me, struggling to throw me off. But I pin him down with my knees, using my superior weight to keep him down. Finally, he goes limp as a rag doll underneath me, but I know better than to let down my guard. He may be smaller than me, but he's quick.

"You and I need to talk." I hiss into his ear.

"I don't talk to anyone!" His black eyes rage. He starts to struggle again, but stops once he feels the cool silver of a blade being pressed into his side. His breathing comes out ragged, as he glares at me in futile hatred.

"I don't think you have much of a choice now. You know what I'll do if it comes down to it." I dig the knife a bit deeper into his side. Not enough to draw blood, but enough for his breath to hitch.

"What do you want?" He growls at me. I meet his gaze without flinching. "To talk."

"Well bloody talk then!" He's not making this any easier.

"Not here. Somewhere more... private." I look around. Most people keep walking on, but a few are sending us interested glances. A fight isn't uncommon, but two shadow spirits definitely is unusual. "Let's go someplace else."

"Do I have a choice?" He spits at me.

I shake my head. "No." He huffs, but at least he stops talking.

I allow myself a small smile. "Excellent. Now, how about a drink?"

☆☆☆

The tavern I pick is the oldest, most seediest one even in the black market. I know most of the regular customers that frequent this run-down bar. I myself am one of them. I like this bar because it is the place with the most dangerous people, and I am usually attracted to the place with the most danger.

Usually, this place is filled with people, even some specters and Masks. But today, we are the only customers. Perfect.

I slide onto a bar stool, motioning for the man to do the same. He initially sits on a stool on the other end of the counter, but when I glare at him, he seats himself next to me with an annoyed sigh.

I glance at him. "Anything to drink?"

He doesn't say anything, and his lips are white with anger. I shrug. "Suit yourself." I order a red wine, then longue back in my seat, assessing the man in front of me.

"Now, let's start with mandatory introductions, and try not to kill each other in the process. Agreed?"

He mutters something unintelligible. Probably a curse.

"I'll take that as a yes. First, what's your name?"

The man curls his lip. "Names have power. I will not just tell you mine unless you give me something in return."

I sigh. "Really, you aren't in the position to be making offers right now. But say I humor you. What do you want?"

"I want your promise that I'll leave this tavern alive," the man says. "No blackmailing, no trying to ambush me. And take all your weapons out of your pockets. Even that dagger in your boot."

I count on my fingers. "That seems like about three requests, but alright. I promise." I take out all the daggers from their various hiding places, and unstrap my scimitar from my back. I spread them out all on the bar counter, but out of reach from the man. I don't trust him just yet. Then I lock my fingers under my chin, staring straight into his onyx eyes. He glares back.

"Now, where were we?" I tap my chin, as if in deep thought. "Ah yes. What is your name?"

"Jeongguk," the man mutters. "My name is Jeongguk."

"I see." Skies, even his name is similar. "Well, my name is V."

Jeongguk's lip twitches. "Such a weird name."

"No weirder than Jeongguk." I shoot back. Then, regaining my composure, I bring the wine glass to my lips. "I see that you're a free spirit. What did you do to your host body? Kill him?"

Jeongguk shrugs. "I didn't hurt him. He was too kind for his own good. I was bored inside his head, and he wouldn't listen to any advice I gave him. The only thing I was able to make him do was accidentally step on his neighbor's tulips. Kind of pathetic, really."

"Mmm." I take another sip of red wine, only half listening. I'm distracted by his lean but muscular body, and his heart-shaped lips. The way his eyes sparkle so intensely from the light reflected from my glass cup. Those facial features, even when mostly covered by the black mask, are perfection. Interesting, that he can look so much like Jungkook on the outside, yet be so different on the inside.

"Why do you keep staring at me?" Jeongguk scowls. I frown at him, debating whether to tell the truth. I was the one questioning him here. He didn't have any right to question me. But what harm would it do to tell him? He wouldn't be able to harm Jungkook if he tried, not with Taehyung watching over him.

"You look like my first love." I finally answer, taking a sip of wine as I say it.

"Ah, some tragic love story?" Jeongguk rolls his eyes. "Spare me. I agreed to come with you, but I will not be an audience for you to vent out your tragic past on."

I bristle. There is something about him that makes me so annoyed, and yet so intrigued to learn more. Beautiful, but deadly. I know that the second I let him go out of the bar, I will never see him again. And I don't want that. I want to talk more to this mysterious man, who looks so much like Jungkook. Who is a shadow spirit, just like me.

"So what do we do now?" I ask, as the last drop of red wine leaves my glass.

Jeongguk snorts. "It's obvious. You and I part ways, and we never see each other again. You go back to wherever you came from, and I'll stay here. It's as simple as that."

"Oh, and I was thinking more on the lines of a first date?" I say casually.

Jeongguk makes a sort of strangled noise in his throat. "I think not. You got me here because you pressed a knife into my side. I told you what you wanted to know. Our agreement ends there."

"Yes, but there is just one small issue with your plan." I lean forward in my chair, making sure to stare straight into his void-black eyes. "I don't plan to be moving away for a very, very long time. And that means that you have competition. If you still want me as your enemy, then I suppose that I can't argue with that. But just because you came first isn't a guarantee that you'll be able to keep your territory. Wouldn't it be much easier to be friends?"

Jeongguk's eyes flash beneath the mask, and his face is livid. "Damn you." He growls. "Damn you to the hells. You promised to not blackmail me!"

"Oh but this isn't blackmail," I say, feigning surprise. "You have a choice. I'm just stating the simple fact that things will not end well for you if you choose to become my enemy. The choice is entirely up to you."

Jeongguk looks so surprised that it's almost funny. Silence stretches between us, as he takes time to process the news. I'm just about to order a new refill of wine when he looks up.

"Say I go on this... date, with you," He forces the word out. "Will that be the end?"

"That depends," I watch his face become stormy. "If you absolutely hate it and never want to see me again, then I can't force you. I'm done with making people unhappy. Though, if you feel just a little bit of happiness by being with me, then I must insist that we meet again. Here," I reach into my tunic pocket, not missing the way Jeongguk's hand drifts towards his knife. But instead of a weapon, I draw out a slip of paper and hold it out to him. Jeongguk gingerly takes it from my fingers. "What is this?"

"It's the address I want you to be at in two day's time, at moonrise. Show this to the guard at the front gate. Don't be late."

Jeongguk swallows back a retort. "I assume that you're not going to tell me what this thing is?"

"You're correct," I agree. "It's a surprise."

"I hate surprises." Jeongguk mutters.

"You'll love this one," I promise. "You'll come, won't you?"

Jeongguk exhales a sharp breath. "It's not like you're giving me much of a choice."

"Perfect." I smile at him while I stand up. Gathering up my weapons in a flourish, I move towards the door. Jeongguk still sits in his bar stool, seemingly frozen. "I can't wait to see you. Also, wear something fancy."