"What's your favourite colour?"

Ahyun pondered the question as we strolled across the grass-covered lawn. I knew I should be heading to the reception venue to get that video for Quinn. Instead, I found myself taking a midday walk with Ahyun as if it were a leisurely day. Guilt tugged at me-I knew I needed to cut this short and rain-check for another time, preferably after the wedding. But just for now, could I not savour these few minutes of her wanting to spend more time with me?

"I don't think I have a favourite," she finally replied after a thoughtful pause. "But I like purple the least."

"Why?"

"It's heavily tied to magic. Not a fan of that. Do you have a favourite?"

"I do," I confirmed, still mulling over her words. "I love red."

"Really?" She glanced at me, her eyes alight with curiosity.

I nodded, a nervous smile playing on my lips. "Something about it feels so passionate. When you think of red, you think of intensity, passion, boldness, power, anger-"

"Love," she added smoothly, her voice casual.

"Yeah," I agreed, feeling my pulse quicken. "You think love. Hey, you are human, right?"

She looked taken aback by my question, but she nodded. "Yes, yes, I am. Are you?"

"Yeah. Unless my parents lied to me."

She smiled. "Well, if it's any consolation, even if they lied, I could make do with it. So long as you're not a witch."

"So, what if I was a vampire? You wouldn't be scared of me sucking your blood?"

"If you were a vampire, I'd know. Your eyes would either be red or amber."

Our shoulders brushed, pulling our gazes to each other, and we shared a sheepish smile. "Based on my understanding," I responded, recalling my mythical knowledge. "Firenze vampires don't have coloured eyes. Their eyes look normal."

She chewed her lip in thought. "Yeah, there's that. But if you were a Firenze vampire, you wouldn't need blood as much as a Belene vampire or Lujan." She glanced at me with a smirk. "So I wouldn't worry too much."

A blush rose to my cheeks, and I glanced away to hide it. "What if I was a werewolf?"

"Wouldn't be a problem."

"Weretiger? Orc, maybe?"

"Nope."

"Selkie."

"You would be so freaking cute!" I laughed. She joined me and the sound captivated me, being the best thing I could ever hear. "As I said, I could pretty much work with anything except a witch."

"What about a fairy?" I wondered because while fairies weren't witches, a lot of their temperaments were the same. They didn't use spells, but they still used magic. Granted, their magic is directly linked to nature. Magic was magic, wasn't it? And fairies were still highly spiritual and mischievous creatures. Take Freya for example and that one time she made vines out of my feet because I had grabbed a freshly baked croissant and ran.

Okay....maybe, I had provoked her a bit, but still.

Ahyun thought about my question. "I think I'm on the fence about them, but even so, they would be better than a witch."

"How so?"

"There are good and evil in everything, true. But witches oftentimes gravitate to one side of the spectrum, and that is not the side to be good, modest, decent people. I think they let their power get to their heads so much so they begin to pretend as if they are gods or the Dark Lord himself. They regard no one beyond themselves as if we merely do not exist. I can't stand those types of people, you know?"

There was a lot of truth in what she said. That was undeniable. And even though I didn't truly understand what moulded her views on witches, I could tell that whatever it was had a big impact and was reinforced over the years.

"I get it," I responded. "The phrase witches are bitches didn't come from nowhere. But, I've also met some pretty kind, considerate and sweet witches who wouldn't hurt a fly. Much like I've met some fairies who've done terrible things."

Ahyun chuckled at my comment, but didn't respond any further, letting that conversation die down. One thing I was appreciative of, at least. It was the respectful way we could both voice our varying perspectives on the subject. That hadn't been a common thing for me before moving to Seaview, as people would tend to easily get upset or frustrated as soon as I disagreed with them. It wasn't so with Ahyun, or anyone else I've met since I moved here. Everyone here is so accepting, so open-minded. I love that.

As we reached the edge of the lawn, Ahyun ran her hand through her hair, her fingers lingering in the strands for a moment before we stepped onto the cobblestone road. Once we were flat on the road, she completed the gesture, running her hand through to the tip and back from her face.

I knew it was a habit, something she did often and unconsciously. It was very attractive to me, so I wouldn't complain. She was adorable. "If you could live in any city in the world, where would you live?"

Her question caught me off guard, particularly because I'd been too busy admiring her to remember we were having a conversation. Embarrassment washed over me as I quickly refocused, my eyes skimming for Isabeau's bistro and Freya's bakery. "Seaview," I answered.

My response seemed to surprise her. "Why?"

"I've been to many places," I said, my tone reflective. "Different continents, different countries, different states. Therefore, I've seen many cultures, learnt many languages, but Seaview has a charm to it none of those other places had."

"What were you searching for out there?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. "I recognise a wandering spirit when I see one."

Her observation made me smile. She wasn't wrong. "Perhaps novelty," I admitted with a nonchalant shrug. "Or security."

"Well, which is it?"

I gnawed at my lower lip, glancing up and down the street before crossing the busy downtown road. "Both?"

She nodded in understanding, her steps falling in sync with mine as we stepped back onto the sidewalk. On this side of the street, the sun reached us, warm but not blistering.

"Do you find those things here?" she asked after a moment, her voice tinged with a quiet hope that made me glance at her. It was as if the mere thought of me leaving made her sad. But I didn't want to leave, not now. Not when this was happening-whatever this was between us.

And Micah.

"I do. Everything that I sought in multiple countries and cities, I find all within the four communities of Seaview."

She looked at me, a hint of relief in her eyes, though subtle. A breeze rustled her hair, and I silently thanked it because it meant she would smooth it out again. I watched as she did-the way her hand rose gracefully, her back arching slightly as her head tilted back. There was something about that particular posture that made my heart skip way too many beats at once. Everything about her was captivating, and I was swooning. Ugh.

"What's the longest you've ever stayed in one place?"

I frowned at the question; the moment shattered as if it were glass. "Two years."

"And how long have you been in Seaview?"

"Two years." I smiled at her, earning a soft scoff in return. Still, it didn't stop the flush that crept up her cheeks.

As we approached a crowded storefront, she stepped closer to me, and the fruity scent of her shampoo filled my senses. Our shoulders bumped with every step, but neither of us wanted to put any space between us. Instead, I found myself slipping a hand behind her, lightly resting it at her mid-back. I expected some sort of protest, but instead, she subtly leaned into my touch, sighing softly.

Now I was the one feeling flustered, but I played it off, feigning nonchalance to appear as casual as she seemed. "Is there a memory you never want to forget?"

"I have a thousand of those," she replied. "Which one do you want?"

I clicked my tongue, thinking. "The most recent."

She nodded, her eyes going distant as she reached for the memory, but a soft smile remained on her face. "A month ago, I was in Cozbi's studio after a dance session when a girl walked in." She glanced at me, her smile spreading to her eyes. "She had long, wavy, voluminous brown hair and toffee-coloured eyes. Her sense of style was dramatic, but elegant. She wore a white dress with long, sheer bishop sleeves and a fitted waist. It featured intricate floral embroidery in multiple colours. Red, blue, and green. The embroidery was detailed with beadwork and sequins, adding a shimmering effect. The skirt portion of the dress was short and had a layered design with lace detailing at the hem."

My attention snapped to her, my jaw slackening. I had toffee-coloured eyes and wavy brown hair, and I had a dress exactly like she described. Coincidence much? I blushed anyway.

"She was a bit short, though," she continued.

"Wow!" I gasped.

She giggled, and the wind carried away the sound long before I was ready to stop hearing it. "She is short, but not too short. She's," she looked at me again, her eyes scanning the full length of my body. "Perfectly sized."

My cheeks flamed, and my stomach did somersaults. Ahyun turned her attention back to the sidewalk, and I tried to do the same. "Why did she catch your attention?" I asked, curiosity piqued.

"It's her presence, really."

"So you were attracted to my aura?"

Ahyun blushed again. "Attracted... yes." I nodded, warmth blooming in my chest. "Your personality too. It shines even from afar. Your charisma comes naturally, easily, and it feels... safe to be in your presence. It's a bit hard to put into words."

"You did a great job. Don't worry."

She smiled, clearly proud. "So tell me, Miss I've-Been-Everywhere, where are you originally from? Where were you born?"

"Venezuela."

"Yeah? So Espoñol is your first language, then."

"Nope. Dutch is. I was only born in Venezuela, but my earlier toddler years were spent in Belgium. What about you? You have an accent I recognise as Korean."

"You're correct. That's where I grew up."

"Why did you move here?"

She sighed heavily, her tone turning something sombre. "I needed a change of scenery and Rockport seemed enticing."

"How long have you been here?"

She chewed her lip in thought. "Eleven years. Since I was eighteen."

I nodded. "Would you ever go back? Do you have any family here?"

"No on both counts," she said, her tone a bit painful. "My father and brother still lives in Korea but I won't go back. I can't even visit."

The pain in her voice made my heart ache and I wanted to ask what she was running from and what happened to her mother but I didn't want to ruin the moment. So I remained quiet, enjoying the silence between us and the cars passing by for a while.

"What's your guilty pleasure?" she spoke again after a moment.

I grinned sheepishly. "Food!"

"Right! Cozbi told me about that."

"Speaking of," I broached the topic that had been on my mind since I saw her and Cozbi dancing. There was a certain energy between them that suggested they were close, comfortable. "Is there anything going on between you two?"

"Cozbi and me?" She didn't seem surprised by the question, as if it was one she got asked often and had been anticipating. "Not right now."

I stopped dead in my tracks, my face falling. She turned toward me, a slightly apprehensive look in her eyes. "Not right now?" I questioned, feeling a lump forming in my throat. "Not right now, as in?"

She took a few steps closer, her eyes never leaving mine. "Three-four years ago."

My body visibly relaxed, and I released a breath I didn't realise I was holding. "Oh."

"Why were you worried? I did say not right now."

I blushed, feeling a little embarrassed. "I'm sorry. I just... my mind started going places, and I began to think that maybe 'not right now' meant last week, and if so, that would kind of suck because..." Cozbi knew I liked her long before a week ago. She raised a brow when I trailed off, but I didn't give her time to voice the question. "You two just seem so close still."

"Yeah," she agreed. "She's my best friend. Platonic friend," she reiterated.

"Platonic, got it."

She reached for my hand, and I let her interlock our fingers before she gently led me down the street again. "What does a perfect date look like to you?"

"Anything that involves food-what is that smell?"

Agent Madriquo suddenly stepped out of Freya's bakery, almost bumping into us. She wasn't holding a takeaway bag, which meant she wasn't there to buy anything, and I began to worry about Freya. Her uncle, the investigation. The worry was fleeting, though, as my eyes settled on Micah and my thoughts began to diminish into dust. Much like Saturday, the agent was dressed in her navy blue uniform, accented with a fully equipped utility belt around her waist, and black combat boots on her feet. Her hair was still in two cornrows, framing her face, and she exuded the same masculine aura as before.

Despite that, my heart began to pound at the sight of her and the urge to run my hand over the rise of those well-defined muscles appeared out of nowhere.

"I'm sorry-" she trailed off mid-apology, her gaze shifting between Ahyun and me. A confused look grew on her face, and for some reason, it made me feel like I'd been caught doing something wrong. Micah quickly recovered, plastering on an indifferent expression. "Ms Seo Ahyun, Ms Solis," she acknowledged politely. "Excuse me."

With a single stride, she was off the sidewalk and onto the cobblestone pavement. My heart drummed in my chest as I watched her circle the MLE cruiser. I hadn't noticed it, being lost in conversation with Ahyun. Micah didn't look at me again, and it made me feel terrible. Why did I feel so terrible?

I glanced at Ahyun, but her expression was guarded, hiding whatever she was feeling or thinking at the moment. Still, her gaze followed Micah's every move just as mine did, a strange tension simmering between them, separate and distinct from the tension between the agent and me.

The cruiser started and pulled away from the sidewalk, its tyres crunching on the cobblestone. I sighed and returned my focus to Ahyun, trying to push the interaction from my mind. But it was hard-too hard to ignore the way my heart fluttered and my palms grew clammy just at the sight of her. A part of me wanted to run out into the streets and scream at the top of my lungs for it to stop and come back, but I couldn't find my voice.

Then, suddenly, a loud crash broke the tension as the cruiser Micah had just left in collided with a lamppost, bringing it to a jarring stop. "Oh, fuck!" Micah muttered as she appeared before us again, her eyes fixed on the steaming car and her hands clamped over her mouth.

I stared wide-eyed, my jaw hanging loose. But Ahyun remained unnervingly calm, her expression unchanged, not even tightening her grip on my hand or widening her eyes. It wasn't until Micah turned to face us that Ahyun finally reacted, letting go of my hand and allowing it to fall back to my side.

A smidge of rejection crept in, growing as I glanced at her, but her focus was on Micah. "Which one of you summoned me?" Micah asked, her voice edged with frustration.

My brows furrowed in confusion. "Summoned you?"

"Perhaps I should go," Ahyun suggested.

"No!" I blurted, halting her mid-step. She hesitated, her gaze flicking between Micah and me. I swallowed hard, refusing to look at the agent. I wasn't going to let Ahyun leave because of some witchy tricks. For all we knew, this could be an illusion. "You don't have to go. Agent Madriquo was just leaving."

"I left," Micah pointed out, her tone laced with annoyance. "Then one or both of you called me back here, and now my car is-"

"Why would I call you back?" Ahyun wondered aloud, echoing my own thoughts. How would we even do that?

"I don't know, Ahyun. Maybe a telepathic bond. Whatever it is, can you two please stop abusing it? I have places to be and a job to get done, and it doesn't involve wasting time on women pursuing other suitors."

Ahyun winced, and I unconsciously did the same. A protective instinct flared up inside me, a need to shield her from anything that might cause her pain, even if it was the tall, sexy MLE agent.

"Excuse me?" I stepped closer to Micah, my gaze narrowing. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Can we not do this right here, right now?" Ahyun interjected, her voice calm against the growing tension. "This would be better handled in private."

"Oh, so now you want to be in the same space as a witch?" Micah retorted, folding her arms.

"I don't," Ahyun clarified. "But I will tolerate five minutes of it for Leandra's sake."

Both women turned to me, their gazes heavy with expectation. I felt caught between them, unsure of what to do. "Five minutes because I am confused."

Micah nodded and extended her hands. "Let's go then."

Hesitantly, I reached out and took one of her hands, while Ahyun took the other. In an instant, we were transported to a small office, lined with rows of bookshelves. A desk and computer sat in the centre, with a rolling chair behind it and another chair in front.

Micah gestured for us to sit. "You can both sit."

I glanced at Ahyun, our eyes meeting with shared uncertainty. "You can sit if you want," she offered, but I shook my head.

"I'm fine. I just-what the hell is happening?"

"We're mates," Micah stated casually.

"We are not mates," Ahyun shot back, her voice laced with malice.

"Yes, yes, you don't like witches or magic," Micah scoffed, settling into the big chair. "But magic doesn't lie, sweetheart."

"I am not your sweetheart."

"Mates?" I stuttered, the word feeling foreign on my tongue as if it had slingshot my brain out of the room and I had to run to retrieve it. "Mates as in... lovers? We? All of us?"

They both looked at me. Micah fidgeted with a pen. "I've done some reading on the... pheromones, and it appears that if another person can detect the pheromones of a witch, they are that witch's destined lifelong partner."

Ahyun shook her head, her denial firm. "No. Forget it. I don't smell anything."

"That's not how it works, Ms Seo," Micah interjected, her tone informative. "Once you've smelled it, you'll smell it for the rest of your life."

"I'm not doing this with you, Micah!"

"You smelled it?" I asked Ahyun, turning to her.

She bit her lip, and I noticed it was trembling. "I don't know what I smelled."

"But you smelled something?" I approached her slowly, our gazes locked. "What did it smell like?"

She shook her head, her eyes moistening. "I don't-I don't know. I can't-"

"Ahyun?" Instinctively, I reached for her, but hesitated just before touching her skin. What if she didn't want to be touched? But she was crying, shaking. Ugh. "Can I give you a hug?" I asked softly.

She nodded, and without wasting a moment, I pulled her into a gentle embrace. Her soft body pressed against mine, her hands wrapping around my neck as she buried her face in the crook of my shoulder. I held her by the waist, careful not to let my hands stray.

"You're crying," I whispered, barely able to hear my own voice over the sound of her quick, shallow breaths. "What's up?"

She gripped the collar of my shirt, a soft whimper escaping her lips, and the sound broke my heart. "A witch killed my mother. I can not do this with a witch."

AN// How are you liking this so far?