Sebastian adjusted his glasses. In front of him, Hardin lay motionless in bed. Sweat slicked his pale skin, and strands of blonde hair clung to his forehead like damp threads.
A needle punctured Hardin's arm. Blood—dark and vivid—flowed steadily through a thin tube, disappearing into Aria's body.
She sat silently on the edge of an armchair, her posture still, eyes sharp.
"His heart stopped for three minutes…" Sebastian's voice came out quieter than he expected. He had repeated the fact more than once, yet it unsettled him every time.
Aria didn't look at him. Her gaze remained fixed on Hardin, on the faint flicker pulsing in his chest. "I'm just as surprised as you," she said softly, her voice carrying a tension that didn't match her calm exterior.
The scene from the night before replayed in her mind, Hardin collapsing without warning, crimson blotches blooming across his skin like poison. The thrill of it had caught her off guard. She'd never seen anything like him. Whatever he was, he didn't belong in any known category. And that made him valuable.
Sebastian watched her. He couldn't imagine this scenario without Aria in it. Not anymore.
'How did she do it?' Aria's fingers drifted across Hardin's chest. Her thoughts shifted to Blue. At first glance, the girl was forgettable. Human, even. But every time Aria looked deeper her core shimmered, changed. Like a chameleon under a spotlight, twisting itself to stay hidden.
"That's not possible," Sebastian said suddenly. "He's immortal."
'He is?' Aria blinked, shaken. She'd assumed but never questioned.
"I need a word with that hunter. She did something," he muttered, already heading for the door. He loosened his tie, a shadow flickering across his face.
Aria rose quickly. "He's going to kill her," she said under her breath. And if he does, her core will vanish with her.
She followed. "I'm coming with you."
Sebastian didn't look back. He just nodded.
They arrived at the Valentine house.
Sebastian rang the bell, standing unnervingly still while.
Jackson stood there, half-asleep, scratching his neck. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" His tone was casual, but his eyes flicked to Aria studying her like a threat.
Sebastian didn't answer. He stepped inside without invitation.
Aria hesitated, sensing the shift in air, then followed.
"Make yourselves at home," Jackson muttered, voice lined with sarcasm as he trailed after them into the living room.
Aria sat next to Sebastian, unease crawling in her chest. Something wasn't right.
"We need to speak with your sister," Sebastian said flatly.
Jackson's face hardened. "She's not here."
"And where is she?" Sebastian asked, leaning back slowly, deliberately.
Jackson's answer came too fast. "A friend's house."
But before he could elaborate, footsteps echoed from the stairs. They're eyes darted in that direction.
Blue emerged in lavender pajamas, rubbing her eyes. "Jack, have you seen my sword? I can't—" Her words cut short. Her eyes locked onto the guests in her house.
Sebastian tilted his head, a smirk curling on his lips. His gaze locked onto Jackson's.
Jackson stayed quiet, his head between his hands.
She stayed quiet. "What's going on here?"
"Come join us."
She plopped down on the couch, nervously.
Sebastian adjusted his glasses, scanning her from head to toe. "You're the girl that nearly killed my nephew." He smiled but there was nothing warm about his eyes, they were just cold and void of any emotion.
Blue frowned at his phrasing, she had no idea what had even happened or why it had occurred. "I didn't do anything" she replied, her voice firm. "Ask her, all I did was shake his hand."
Sebastian looked at Aria and she nodded her head in agreement. "I saw it happen" she confirmed.
Jackson grabbed his sister's shoulder. "Since you have not-" he paused mid sentence when Sebastian interupted him.
"When do you start your training?"
Blue fell quiet for a moment. "Today."
Aria cocked up an eyebrow. "So today you start training to kill ghouls, werewolves and witches?"
Jackson cleared his throat. "No she starts training to exorcise phantoms. Her official demon training will start later."
Aria slumped back on the couch, crossing her hands over her chest. "I can train you, if you want?" she offered.
Blue's eyes sparkled at the idea of Aria teaching her everything she knew. She slammed her hands on the coffee table, leaning forward with a bright grin. "Let's do it."
Jackson paled, "Wait a minute. We can't trust a stranger with your training. It's very vital that you learn from the best."
Sebastian did not know where Aria was going with this but he felt the need to back her up. "She is actually one of our best fighters. And I'm sure your sister will learn a lot."
Jackson did not like the idea.
"Unless you're saying you doubt the relationship between us?" Sebastian implied.
Jackson fell back onto the couch, defeated. "Fine, do whatever you want."
Blue squealed in glee. "I'm gonna get my sword!" She exclaimed and ran upstairs to her bedroom.
'Fucking hell man, it's like 11 am' Aria thought.
Jackson disappeared into the kitchen.
"What exactly are you planning?" Sebastian whispered-yelled , into her ear. "Hardin is going to kill us when he finds that freak in his home."
Aria rolled her eyes. "Relax, this is my way of keeping the girl that almost killed him closer to us."
Sebastian shook his head sideways. "I hope you what you doing."
Jackson returned carrying a tray piled with biscuits and a large bottle of whiskey. With a practiced ease, he set the tray on the coffee table and uncorked the bottle, pouring amber liquid into three waiting glasses.
"Treats for the guests," he said with a smile.
They sat down for a while in an uncomfortable silence. No one tried to make conversation.
As soon as Blue came back down, holding an encased sword Aria led her outside to the car.
"Thanks for the hospitality" Sebastian thanked as he closed the door behind himself.
Sebastion eased the car up the winding drive, tires whispering over gravel. Blue gasped at the mansion—tall and looming, its dark windows catching the last light of day.
Vines crept up the stone walls of the left wing, clinging like old secrets. In the circular drive, a fountain murmured softly, water spilling over carved stone as koi fish drifted lazily beneath the ripples.
He killed the ignition and Blue was the first to step out of the car. She admired the architecture of the house.
Aria cleared her throat, "follow me."
Blue nodded her head. "This place is amazing."
She led the girl through the maze of halls. Servants stood at every corner waiting for an order.
They finally made it out to the back. Blue was taken aback by the bright hues of flowers, each one carrying a certain sparkle.
"These are so pretty"
"If you think these are pretty, you should see the ones in Hell" Aria said with a smile.
"Hell has flowers?" Blue blinked, baffled. She thought Hell was you know, hell.
Aria chuckled at her reaction. "Hell isn't some wasteland like some dystopian movie, it's beautiful."
"This might sound weird but I kinda wanna see it now" Blue admitted with a smile.
They ventured deep into the woods.
"If I didn't know any better I would think that you were trying to bring me out here to kill me" Blue chortled nervously.
Once they were far away from the house Aria poised her self on a rock she had found. "I have never seen you fight before" she lied, "so I'm going to need to demonstrate your talent so I can know what to do."
"Okay" Blue nodded her head. "But how am I going to do that?"
"Fight. There are a few phantoms in these woods, find one and kill it. I'll step in when you get in some serious trouble."
Blue slid her sword free with a sharp hiss of steel, then tossed the sheath toward Aria without a glance. Aria caught it effortlessly, fingers closing around it mid-air.
"Okay but promise you won't cum on yourself after you see how awesome I am."
Aria deadpanned and internally face-palmed herself.