#rumira

Rumi nodded, moving closer and as if aware a slight smile graces Zoey’s face while she sleeps soundly. Mira knows it’s because she can feel the subtle shifts within their hearts as all the wounds inflicted on themselves and each other started to heal. It was a soothing warmth that came with clarity.

“Did I scare you? Trying to force you-”

“No, no no no,” Rumi moves so fast and her arms are around Mira so gentle and instant relief flows through her “I’m so sorry I should never have let it get that far, it’s just so hard to tell the parts I should keep secret and what I can share,” Rumi finished her voice trailing off a little.

“What is it?” Mira asked, pulling back from their embrace just enough to see the confusion and hurt in Rumi’s eyes.

“There is more I need to tell you about what I saw beyond the barrier of the Honmoon. I think the only reason you and Zoey were hurt is because of me,” Rumi said, her eyes suddenly distant and pained.

“How? You weren't even here,” Mira teased, in an attempt to get her to laugh, but all it did was make Rumi look more guilty. “Rumi this wasn’t your fault, none of us figured out Molly was a siren until it was too late,”

Mira muttered ‘wish I could kill that bitch again’, under her breath as anger surged through her.

“No, I saw her. S-she… Mira I have to tell you something, everything,” Rumi spoke but her voice wavered while her body trembled. “I ruined everything, Zoey almo-”

Rumi heaved, letting out a croaked sob and Mira’s heart sank as she instinctively pulled Rumi closer, “It’s ok, I got you, you can rest now. We’re ok,“ Mira soothed rubbing her back.

It wasn't exactly a relief that there were more secrets, but Rumi was willing to share and Mira felt a deep relief at that alone. Rumi was warm to the touch but she was shaking in Mira’s arms. “Do you need more?” Mira asked and there’s no need to specify. Blood, does Rumi need more blood?

“I’m ok for now, promise, just tired and dirty,” Rumi said, her hand traced through slightly matted hair.

“Shit Rumi, I’m sorry, lets get you cleaned up, I can help you with your braid,”

“No. No braid,” Rumi responded firmly.

Mira frowned and saw there was something in Rumi’s eyes, she didn't quite understand yet.

“Is it ok to leave Zoey alone?” Mira asks unsure.

Rumi takes Mira’s hand and smiles fondly looking down at her, “Zoey's heart beat is steady, she’s sound asleep,”

"You can tell?"

“I can hear it,” Rumi answered with a nod.

The drop of information so honest and casual has Mira pause for a moment and let out a relieved laugh.

“You should stay with Zoey though, I can take care of myself,”

Mira can’t stop herself from scoffing at that comment and raises her eyebrows at Rumi pointedly.

“I mean, I can shower and get myself some water,” Rumi said softly.

Taking one last glance at Zoey noting her relaxed expression Mira takes Rumi’s hand and heads out to the kitchen. “Let me take care of you, please?”

“Ok,” Rumi responds with a smile.

Mira feels a release of pressure that eases a little more with every smile and tender touch they share. Rumi let Mira guide her to a chair by the kitchen table and she handed her water that Rumi took without protest. Just as Mira stuck her head in the fridge the front door crashed open.

In blink Rumi is at Mira’s side, with an arm firmly around her waist. Eyes sharp focused as she listens intently, for a moment before her expression changes. Not quite relieved but something harder to read and everything was clearer when a voice called out.

"Mira, Zoey! It's a damn siren pretending to be Rumi. I rushed after it, without my phone before I realized I wasn’t chasing Rumi but a shape shifting demon, halfway across the country-”

"Celine? Shit," Mira says as her stomach drops, realising in all the chaos they failed to update Celine.

Celine freezes her eyes wide and her weapon raised “Get the fuck away from her!” She orders, rushing towards them.

Panic overwhelms Mira, her breath catches in her throat not sure if she can stop Celine as she prepares to attack Rumi. Blood rushes from Mira’s head and holds her arms out blocking her path “Stop! Don’t hurt her, it’s Rumi she’s back. Rumi’s back!” Mira screams.

"Get out of my way Mira. Don’t let it foul you. Those things do more than glamour, can change their scent, get into your head and chip away at your spirit,"

Rumi leaps up and over Mira before she can stop her and to Mira’s surprise Celine immediately lowers her weapon. "Can you ‘see’ me? All of me?" Rumi asks her words, weighted and tense.

"Rumi?" Celine gasps and her weapon vanishes.

"I'm sorr-" Rumi barely gets out before she is pulled into Celine arms and held so tight the breath seems to have been squeezed out of her.

"You're sorry, you're sorry. Do you know what you put these girls through!" Celine said through a choked gasp.

"I di-

"No Rumi, you don't treat people like this. I raised you better, you don’t just vanish! They don't even sleep or eat just zombies, walking around,"

"I'm sorry," Rumi said with more relief than anything else.

“You can’t leave,” Celine said breathlessly and Rumi had tears streaming down her cheeks when she nodded letting out a relieved laugh.

Celine finally pulls back her eyes to Mira before they go wide with concern again. "Where is Zoey?"

“Sleeping,” Rumi responded, guilt laced her tone.

Mira walks down the hall leading them back to Zoey’s room quickly. "The siren tried to kill her, but Rumi saved her, by biting, gave some of her strength to Zoey, the venom healed her,"

“What about you two?” Celine asks.

“What do you mean?” Mira answers surprised that Celine doesn't flinch at the mention that Rumi had fed and didn’t try to correct her about the venom's healing effect.

“You both look terrible, Rumi’s covered in dirt and Mira’s trembling,“ Celine said as she stepped closer looking deep in Mira’s eye “Did the siren feed on Mira?”

“Yes,” Rumi said as her hand tensed around Mira’s wrist.

“Then you need rest, both of you,” Celine said.

Rumi eyes went wide “Celine-”

“Don’t argue… I’m so sorry I let my guilt, my shame, my grief suffocate me and I didn’t listen, couldn’t see the truth,” Celine answered and her eyes went distant.

“Right, the truth,” Rumi said, her tone tense as she locked onto Celine curiously, even a little angry.

A question in the air and Celine glanced at Mira for a hint as to what that could be, but she had no idea what Rumi was referring to.

“Rumi, you and Mira get cleaned up and rest, I’ll watch over Zoey,” Celine instructed, practically shoving them out of the room.

“Ok but once Zoey is awake, we all need to talk,” Rumi said firmly.

Mira exchanges a questioning look to Celine, her mind spinning wondering what Rumi could be referring to a familiar anger spikes in her.

What else had Celine not told them.

--

It's never quiet now.

All this noise is calming.

Rumi can hear Zoey breathing and Mira talking quietly while she is in the shower and it feels like she isn’t alone. Mira plays Zoey’s favorite song, laying beside her and Rumi can pick up the subtle way their scents change, when they are relaxed. Can feel the warmth of Mira and Zoey’s skin and the pulse beating underneath it. The Blood.

Hears a sudden clatter of a frying pan meeting the stove and Rumi’s heart rate picks up as she realizes Celine is in the kitchen making dinner. Rumi felt the question burning on her tongue: did Celine know Miyeong was a demon? Was what Rumi saw even real or was she so dazed she imagined it all.

Turning off the water as she lets out a deep breath and shakes her head knowing that either way she has to tell Mira and Zoey what happened. Real or not. Rumi sighs fondly when she spots the neatly folded clean clothes laid out by Celine.

Pants and shirt are put on quickly without much thought but looking down at her grey jumper Rumi feels no need to put it on. It’s a little cold, but still she’d prefer to have her patterns be seen right now. Pride washes over her as she looks at her reflection and smiles at the tiger like stripes along her arms. Tracing them with her eyes for the first time in her life Rumi really looks at them, noting how the lines blur at the edges a little. That even when they are not lit up, the color subtly shifts with each breath.

Then without even trying she hears a quiet murmur from Zoey, a sign she is waking up and rushes out of the bathroom.

Just as she reaches the doorway Rumi freezes, what if Zoey wakes and is terrified of Rumi or angry. Her heart rate increases suddenly, sure that Zoey would be upset, after being attacked by Molly with Rumi’s face. She can't be the cause of anymore hurt for her.

“Rumi, you can come in, she’s still asleep” Mira's voice is welcoming but there is an undeniable sense of tension to it.

Rumi stands at the threshold in the doorway, her eyes go to Zoey and her throat tightens. Their scents are so much more potent now and Rumi feels shot through her nerves, “I shouldn’t be here when she wakes, I don’t want to scare her,” Rumi offers awkwardly, looking down at the floor.

“Rumi, the only thing that will scare Zoey, will be waking up to find you're not here,” Mira said hoarsely.

“Mira-”

“No Rumi, do you know what you put Zoey through? She held onto your hoodie just to get herself to sleep, and when she would wake I could see the light go out of her eyes, when she remembered that you left us… I-I can’t ever see that look again,”

“Ok,” Rumi simply said, still unsure but Mira wasn’t done.

“You be here when Zoey wakes, you be the first thing she sees when she opens her eyes,”

Rumi nods and steps through the doorway standing at the foot of the bed and can tell from Mira’s stiff shoulders and because her lips are closed tight in a thin line. That she is holding back from requesting Rumi lay beside Zoey on the bed.

But Rumi shouldn’t get that close, not when she can barely restrain her hunger.

Rumi’s thirst for blood, specifically Zoey’s and Mira’s, her need to bite and drink had saved them and her. Right was wrong, everything Rumi ever thought she knew including the most unchangeable harsh truth of her life. That she lost her eomma before she ever even knew her was all wrong.

Lost in conflicting thoughts Rumi let out a deep exhale and caught Mira’s concerned eyes watching her closely and so lovingly. It still caught Rumi by surprise how much Mira and Zoey cared for her, when she was so flawed.

“What is it?” Mira asks, almost smiling at Rumi’s frustrated bewilderment.

“I hurt you in so many ways, I just don't understand how you can forgive me?” Rumi said a heaviness settled on her chest.

“Oh don’t worry, you’re going to have to make it up to us,” Mira said and Rumi already felt her desire flaring up.

“How exactly?” Rumi smiled thinking about cuddles and kissing, even trying something they hadn’t before when her thoughts were halted.

“Well you’re on dish duty forever, and I want you to write a list of all the specific things you're sorry for. “Mira said, arms folded, she let out a deep breath “Where making a more strict schedule on your feeding. We need you to start sharing everything with us,”

Mira’s resolute tone pulled at something deep within. A call that wasn’t painful but grounding and that made Rumi feel protected. Claimed by Mira and Zoey after they let her bite, it strengthened their connection and Rumi knew she could only feed from them.

A realization that had Rumi conflicted and this was clear in her expression.

“Rumi? Are you about to lie to me right now?” Mira asks with a tightness to her throat.

Rumi shakes her head as her eyes go wide.

“No. It’s ju- Mira I can’t feed like I used to at all, I need human blood,” Rumi said couldn’t help but turn away unable to meet her eyes. There is a pause as Mira gets up from the bed and comes over with her hand on Rumi’s cheek. She stroked her thumb tentatively waiting for Rumi to meet her eyes and her expression was so loving, more than Rumi ever deserved.

“Ok,” Mira replied with gentle affection “We’ll figure this out together, thank you for telling me,”

“It’s that easy,” Rumi responded, a little taken aback.

Mira rolls her eyes at that but before Rumi can say more she hears a subtle change in Zoey’s breathing as she stirs. “Rumi,” Zoey mumbled, her eyes opening and hands reaching out frantically as her heart rate increased suddenly.

“Zoey! What’s wrong?” Rumi asked as her stomach dropped instinctively moving closer.

“You’re here, you’re still here!” Zoey jumped up to her feet and leaped off the bed into Rumi’s arms who didn't miss a beat wrapping her arms around Zoey's back. The maknae's legs curled around her waist as she sunk her head into Rumi’s chest in a tight koala hug.

“You still-you forgive me,” Rumi croaks out.

“Of course silly,” Zoey scoffs but there’s an unwavering love in her eyes.

The truth it hurt so good a mixed bag of pain that even with love this powerful, Rumi had hurt Mira and Zoey deeply and that wasn’t just going to go away. Loving someone was complicated but you have to dive in, knowing that it could hurt and dig your teeth in anyway.

“Zoey.. How do you feel?” Mira asks softly.

“Mira, you never said anything about the connection, the-” Zoey cuts herself off eyes wide in awe.

“You feel it don’t you? Warm and full of energy,” Mira asks softly as she reaches out her hand, placing it on Zoey's back.

“Better than when I mix red bull and coffee,” Zoey said, smiling wide as she turned to Mira.

“Really, you’re ok?” Rumi asked shakily.

“I’m great, I just - Rumi?” Zoey stutters out in awe, her hand reaching up to softly stroke Rumi’s cheek with her thumb.

“I’m sorry Zoey,” Rumi gasped out.

(I’m sorry for leaving

I’m sorry for coming back

For biting you

I’m sorry for everything)

Zoey smiles before meeting Rumi’s lips in a tender kiss and a tear trickles down Rumi’s cheek at the tender affection she is shown. Letting out a choked feral sound Rumi’s hand found the back of Zoey's head and pushed her closer.

Deepening the kiss, but suddenly a drive takes over and Rumi’s fangs descend and she instinctively pulls back. But Rumi barely got the chance, feeling Zoey’s smile against her mouth as she chased her. “Don’t you dare,” Zoey murmured, before meeting her lips again.

“Definitely feeling better,” Mira chuckled, a wide smile on her face as she watched them.

“You saved me,” Zoey said, her eyes wide as if she was recalling it all now.

“I did,” Rumi stuttered out.

Could tell by Zoey's steady beating heart, warm skin and calming scent that she was more than alright. That all this time everything Rumi thought she knew about her demon half, was wrong. Her bite, her venom had actually healed, she did this. Could smell the venom still pulsing through Zoey’s blood.

“Do you remember what happened?” Mira asked with a slight concern.

“Sort of, I remember Rumi caught me,” Zoey stated again with awe in her voice, her fingers delicately stroking Rumi’s neck.

“I feed off you,” Rumi blurted out shame in her tone.

“I know, and I passed out during it,” Zoey pouted.

“I’m sorry I had to, it was the only way to heal-”

“Rumi bit me and I barely even remember, that’s so unfair!” Zoey continued to whine.

“Zoey, bigger issues,” Mira huffed amused.

“Right, right, I know,” Zoey smiled, pressing closer to Rumi.

“Do you want me to let go?” Rumi asks.

“No, never,” Zoey mumbles, her head on her shoulder.

“Ok,” Rumi chuckled, she couldn’t let go either, in fact she reached one arm out and Zoey gasped slightly before Rumi pulled Mira towards them. Into the embrace and she wrapped her arms around them both.

“I’m really sorry,” Rumi said.

“I’m just glad you're here,” Zoey said softly resting her head on Rumi’s chest while Mira’s forehead was against Rumi’s.

“Me too,” Rumi said exhaling and then Mira met her lips with a soft peck.

–-

Mira couldn’t stop smiling. Her face was starting to hurt a little but she kept a small smile on her face while sitting in the corner section of the couch. Rumi was resting her head on her lap while laying across the couch. While Zoey still hadn’t let go and now lay atop of Rumi.

An expression that looked a little crazed as Zoey had been anticipating this conversation for over a week. Mira could see her mouth was about to burst with all her questions with all the research still plastered on the windows. From every half truth or flat out lie that they didn’t push Rumi on. Held up in their minds even before Rumi vanished. Now they had Rumi back and they had no words. Simply watched Rumi like they were trying to file away every inch of her, completely lost in her bright aurora.

Rumi’s fingertips drifted across Mira’s temple and brushed her hair to the side and Rumi smiled up at her adoringly. “We haven't done much talking, a lot of staring,” Rumi teased.

“I don’t want you to feel attacked or try to leave again,” Zoey said shakily.

“Rumi, you can’t ever let yourself get to that state ever and you can’t run, when things get hard,” Mira said firmly and heard Zoey take in, a sharp breath.

“I’m not going to run again, that’s the truth,” Rumi said her eyes on Mira then flickered to Zoey reassuringly.

“Do you even know what the word means?” Mira asks bitterly

“No,” Rumi sighs, looking so desperately guilty and Mira almost wants to stop the conversation.

The fight before it starts but she doesn’t.

“You promised,” Zoey said, hiding her face in Rumi’s shoulder.

“I know, the truth is more complicated than I thought it would be,” Rumi answers and it seems she is referring to more than the lies already revealed.

Anger rises up in her and Mira huffs out an “Obviously,”

“I know, my lies have hurt you both,” Rumi lets out a deep breath composing herself, her eyes distant as she mulls over some internal reflection “That not accepting every part of myself, that wants to feed on blood, that repressing my demon traits has hurt everyone,”

“Do you not trust us?” Mira asked, her head pounding afraid of the answer.

“Mira? Of course I trust you? Both of you, with my life,”

“Then why Rumi? Why did you shut us out,” Zoey asked and she whimpered after speaking the words.

“I didn’t share because I thought you’d be disgusted, that you wouldn’t want to know the details, or see me when I’m like that. I never imagined you'd ever want me to bite you,” Rumi said, frowning as if it was obvious.

“We love you, all of you,” Zoey said.

“You don’t have to hide from us, ever,” Mira said as her hand stroked the top of Rumi’s head and through her hair.

“I had to put you first, keep you safe even from me,” Rumi argued.

“The only thing that put us in danger was you starving yourself?” Mira added not willing to hold back anymore. But there is a since that follows and she holds her breath for a moment.

Rumi nods, “I really believed that it was wrong to drink from you, from anyone. It’s not exactly a crazy leap to make… I understand now, the bite is a connection just like how our voices create the Honmoon, it’s energy flowing and building,”

Mira pressed in closer, softly inviting Rumi to share even as shiver ran up her spine, sure now that something happened to Rumi on the other side of the barrier. An event that altered her perception of herself. Could tell by the way Rumi didn’t hide her patterns, vibrantly shimmering, this usually resulted in her slipping into a hoodie. Or at least bracing herself but Rumi didn’t pay them any mind right now.

“What happened to you?” Mira asks, her words low and shaky.

“What did you see on the other side of the Honmoon?” Zoey asked with a gulp.

Rumi hesitates as if she is calculating what to tell Mira and what to leave out about what happened and she snaps. “You almost let yourself starve again, didn’t you?”

“I-” Rumi starts to defend herself.

“Didn’t you?” Mira repeats no warning in her tone, straight answers are all she’s accepting at present.

“Yes,” Rumi says breathlessly. “But that’s not everything,”

“Before with Celine, you made it seem like she was keeping more secrets,” Mira said her eyes on Zoey, as guilt seized her realising they forgot to mention that incident.

“Why did you let me sleep?" Zoey said, annoyed.

“It’s ok you needed rest and it was fine Celine thought I was the siren. It led her away but didn’t hurt her,” Rumi said, her voice trailing off as her eyes went distant.

“What is it?” Zoey asked, confused.

“Rumi has decided it’s her fault we were attacked,” Mira explained.

“We’re demon hunters, it happens all the time, it wasn't your fault,” Zoey said with a frown.

“No no all of this, it was all to get me to feed on you, she did this,” Rumi gasped, a hurt in her eyes that Mira had never seen before.

“You mean Molly?” Zoey said letting out a huff “I can’t believe you killed her without me,”

“No, not Molly,” Rumi gulps and her eyes go distant.

“The truth. If you really want to do better, Rumi starts now, tell us what’s wrong,” Zoey said, her hands placed at either side of Rumi's cheeks.

“I saw my eomma… she had patterns,” Rumi said, letting out a deep breath.

“Are you sure it wasn’t a shape shifter?” Mira blurted out completely confused and Rumi nodded.

“Rumi your eomma’s-” Zoey started to say.

“Dead. I know, but I saw her, she brought blood for me to drink when I…” Rumi darted up and Mira could see the rest of the sentence in Rumi’s eyes.

“A demon saved you?” Zoey questioned her body tensing over Rumi. “Why?”

“It’s not possible? Celine said she watched her die,” Mira said anger simmering inside her at the thought of Celine lying again.

“I’m not really sure what I saw,” Rumi answered.

“I hate them.. Playing with us like this, pretending to be you is one thing, but your eomma,” Mira let out a huffed breath and Rumi concerned eyes on her.

“Rumi what else did this demon say to you?” Zoey asked, her eyes sharp focused as she sat up on her knees straddling Rumi.

“Told me how to use my senses to find you and then they vanished, I don’t know if it was even real, I had collapsed just before they appeared,” Rumi said and Mira’s breath caught again.

“You passed out?” Zoey asked, eyes wide as she stroked her fingers along Rumi’s cheek.

Rumi nodded her head ever so slightly shame in her eyes, “Yes Zoey,”

Mira placed her hand on Zoey’s back automatically trying to soothe as another thought entered her mind.

“Where did they get the blood from?” Mira eyes narrowed her heart raced feeling a sense of danger take hold, she held on tighter to Rumi protectively.

“I didn’t ask where the blood came from… She told me you were in danger, I couldn’t think about anything else except getting to you in time,”

“How did you know where Mira was?” Zoey asked curiously.

“I used my senses, once I was able to identify the smells and sounds, I could follow it like a trail,” Rumi answered.

“It was much more romantic when you explained it to me the first time,” Mira said as she thought back to the moment Rumi saved her.

“Oh what did she say?” Zoey said, intrigued and a little teasing.

Mira exaggerated Rumi’s voice “That it was gravity pulling her back to us, she knew in her heart she could find me,”

“Rumi you are so cute,” Zoey said and it wasn’t teasing but adoring as she sat up a little.

“It’s true, and it hasn’t gone away, it’s like an invisible string connecting me, to both of you,” Rumi explained.

Zoey made a sound Mira had never heard before somewhere between an affectionate sigh and something more feral. Lips crashing into Rumi’s mouth as she giggled a sight Mira hadn’t realised how much she missed, until now.

“Hey, it’s my turn,” Mira teased, feeling a tinge of jealousy at the way Rumi’s eyes fluttered shut, immediately lost in pleasure.

Zoey didn’t answer, just moved down Rumi’s neck and Mira met Rumi’s eyes, looking up at her with desperate want. A need for Mira and she smiled, capturing Rumi’s mouth in a searing kiss. A little strained with the awkward angle and she pulled back to catch her breath after a minute.

“Rumi, if this really was your eomma, then why didn’t she just talk to you, why so cryptic” Mira asked.

“I don’t know,” Rumi said letting out a sigh “lack of communication skills could be genetic,”

Mira couldn’t hold back from huffing out a laugh as Rumi cranned her neck up and met her lips again. A kiss so sweet she couldn’t stop while her mind was racing a drive from deep within to never let Rumi slip away again.

--

Her warm robe wrapped tightly around her Celine lets the heat from her hot shower linger, easing her beaten and exhausted body and it seems to work, for a moment. All is at ease Rumi is home, she is ok which is a miracle after all the mistakes Celine made. More importantly Rumi has Mira and Zoey, she will always have them. Celine is sure of that now.

Won’t lose them like Celine lost her Sunlight Sisters.

For a moment she lets herself daydream, get lost in the thought of Miyeong being here, seeing the amazing woman her daughter has become. Even letting her fantasies dive further, imaging wrapping her arms around her, kissing Miyeong's lips. Hand around the nap of her neck, pulling her close, desperately deepening the kiss even though it's all in her head, Celine feels a shudder of pleasure though her body. That leaves an ache for what never was and would never be.

Breaking her from her thoughts, a flicker of blue pink light glimmers ever so slightly by her open window and Celine tenses, hands at her sides she curls her fingers. Dual blades form out of the light of the Honmoon and Celine lifts them up in front of her, ready to fight.

“Show yourself?” Celine demands.

Another Siren, come for revenge. Well they picked the wrong room.

A creek, a hiss from above and Celine’s eyes dart up. In the darkness she sees two bright amber eyes glaring. Demon eyes fixed on her, like prey.

Dropping down it lands on all fours and looks up at her and when the light from the hall hits the demon's face she gasps. The long braided black hair curls around her body like a tail and vibrant purples patterns cover her arms and face.

“Miyeong!?” Celine gasps and her weapon vanishes.

Snarling slightly as Miyeong moves closer, deadly fast and with perfect grace she barely makes a noise, jumping forward, in fluid movement. Sniffing the air intently, relying more on smell than sight to guide her. Celine is frozen stiff because despite the patterns along her body, fangs hanging out her lips, the torn dirty clothes, there is no mistaking her Miyeong. This is no trick or glamour, she can feel her presence still connected to the Honmoon, one created by her daughter.

But she was dead and buried.

Celine had the haunting memory of Miyeong's face when the coffin was closed.

Watched the dirt fall after she was lowered down.

Miyeong slinks in closer, her breath now on Celine's cheek and she has to refrain from wrapping her arms around her beloved. Celine has a crushing realization then, how impossible what she has been forcing Rumi to refrain from all her life, must have been. Not touching, concealing herself. Celine was ready to cave in seconds, wrap her arms around Miyeong and love her. Save her.

But in Miyeong's eyes there is only anger for Celine. Hatred.

“I’m sorry,” Celine blurts out in a whimper.

Sorry I raised you daughter to hate herself

Sorry I taught Rumi she couldn’t love

Sorry I didn’t save you

Celine's words don’t elicit anything but a growl from Miyeong; her clawed hand grips Celine's neck and she is shoved against the wall. With enough force to send a sharp pain through her back and shake the wall enough that a mirror falls and shatters. Sending shards of glass scattered across the floor.

“Celine, are you ok?” Rumi calls out.

Miyeong's head snaps up smiling as she looks in the direction Rumi’s voice came from, breaking eye contact with Celine for the first time since entering her room. Dread sinks in over Celine as she realises exactly what Miyeong is after.

Rumi.

“No, wait you can't,” Celine begs, but Miyeong's grip only tightens around her neck.

Turning back to Celine she smirks, cold sadistic eyes linger before she pulls Celine closer, lips just a breath apart lingering and Celine lets out a longing sigh. “Don’t you wish?” Miyeong whispers in Celine's ear cruelly.

Unable to catch her breath to think clearly, she should fight, draw her weapon, anything but Celine remains still. Shock causes a state of paralysis as Celine tries to make sense of what is happening. Stop this nightmare from unfolding, but she is helpless.

A hit to her gut sends her flying across the room and the back of her head smacks against the wall and as much as she tries to remain conscious, the world goes dark.

--

“Zoey,” Rumi faux grumbles through laughter leaning her head back on the couch.

Mira smiles wide, a joy rising within her to have this normal back again, even peaceful. Zoey’s in Rumi’s lap, head resting on her shoulder, Zoey looks up to Rumi with a loving pouty gaze.

“I’ll be right back, I just need to check on Cel-” Rumi starts to say but Zoey has gone limp over her and while she is smiling Mira can see the underlying fear still present in Zoey’s eyes.

An everpresent weight on all of their chests that this peace wouldn’t be lasting and they need to cling on to this moment for dear life. The declaration Zoey had made, to hold onto Rumi and never let go wasn’t realistic, but Mira wanted her to keep that promise for a little longer.

“I’ll go,” Mira says, smiling at the corners of her mouth.

"Mira's on it, you stay right here," Zoey says, twisting around as she places her hand on Rumi's check.

Rumi's eyes lit up and Zoey met her lips in a tender kiss that quickly heats up and they both are letting out breathless sighs. They hadn’t really stopped kissing each other or Mira. Since Zoey woke up they were either talking, hugging or making out.

"Don't get too carried away, you're both recovering," Mira said with a smile, not even sure if she could be mad at them if they exhausted themselves this way.

“I feel great, you're the one who hasn’t got any of Rumi’s super healing bite lately,” Zoey says, smiling eyes on Rumi as she pushes a strand of hair behind her ear.

As soon as her feet hit the floor Mira can feel a faint hum vibrating through the Honmoon, her hairs stand on end. There, not alone, someone-something is stalking them in their own home and Mira clenches her hands summoning her Gok-Do in seconds. “Show yourself” Mira warns.

At her side a moment later is Zoey and Rumi, weapons drawn ready to fight, but Mira can’t spot the danger. Heart pounding in her chest, overwhelmed that they are about to be attacked here in their own home again. Not again.

“Celine?” Rumi gasps out shakily, stepping forward but Mira and Zoey put their arms out blocking her path.

“We stay together,” Mira insists.

“Smart girl” A soft voice sings, it's familiar and yet sends a shiver up Mira’s spine.

All three turn on their heels to face her, eyes burning red, she’s smiling but it's not warm or inviting, but frighteningly pleased with herself. Eyes transfixed on Rumi, as if Mira and Zoey weren't even there.

“Eomma?” Rumi gasps.

“That’s right, it's me, I’m here,” Miyeong says with a wide smile stepping closer, as Rumi takes a step towards her.

Miyeong?!?

Mira and Zoey leap off the ground inserting themselves between the mother and daughter, Mira hand snaps closed and her Gok-Do is in her grip.

“Demon!” Zoey snarls, letting one of her daggers free but Miyeong just steps out of its path, eyes still on Rumi.

“No! Don’t it’s her, it’s really her, she was the one that saved me, warned me you were in danger,” Rumi explains, as she turns to Zoey then Mira, eyes welling with tears. "It's ok,"

Hopeful-terrified the moment passes by infinitely, Rumi tells Mira so much in a simple glance.

Mira, that’s my Eomma she’s here.

There was no talking to her out of it, Rumi had already decided and was stepping closer.

Mira would try anyway.

“Rumi, wait, where has she been all this time? Why now?” Mira questions stammering out as quickly as her heart beats. "What did she do to Celine?"

Rumi pauses, her breath hitches at that final question.

“Celine?” Rumi gasps. “Where is she?”

“She’ll live,” Miyeong responds plainly.

Mira wants to fight or run but they are all standing still, breaths unsteady and hearts racing.

All the while Miyeong looks at Rumi, eyes fixed following her every movement, as if nothing else in the world exists.

It's the kind of gaze that's dangerous.

Watching Rumi as if she’s hers.

Mira raises her gok-do again and steps in front of Rumi and Zoey mirrors her movements to block Miyeong's path to Rumi.

“Mira, Zoey. You’re really not making a good impression” Miyeong said, her lip curving into a snarl.

“Stay back,” Zoey states firmly.

“A demon with no feelings doesn't deserve to live,” Miyeong sings, smirking as she gets the reaction she is looking for.

Zoey whimpers, her arms shaking but she does not lower her weapons and neither does Mira. She feels the colour drain from her face as her heart pounds in her chest.

Mira can tell by the look in Miyeong’s eyes, knows that she watched it, saw them raise their weapons at Rumi. Watched as Rumi begged for them not to leave her. That they let Rumi run off and ask to be slain by Celine.

She knows what you did

She wants to take her from you

A fear like no other rises within Mira’s soul and all else fades away "Don’t," Mira warns.

“You're just like her,” Miyeong accuses. “Celine’s soldiers,"

Smirking slightly when she notices Mira stiffen at that thought, because Mira is just like Celine.

“You better hope Celine is ok,” Zoey threatens, pulling her arms back in preparation to throw her shin-kals.

“Are you going to fight me Zoey?,” Miyeong asked condescendingly before her expression becomes more serious, "You won’t stop me from talking to my daughter,”

Mira watches Miyeong closely as she stalks closer as a similar feeling overwhelms her, a dread she cannot face again. No hesitations or time for snipes, Mira pushes Rumi back with one hand and swings her gok-do forward with the other.

“Stop!” Rumi yells and her sword vanishes.

Rumi gently placed one hand on Mira’s wrist and one on Zoey's; she pushed down, so they lowered their weapons.

“Rumi. What are you doing?” Mira asks, and can feel her voice tremble.

“Stopping anyone else from getting hurt, because of me,” Rumi said, looking at her with the same unflinching determination she always had when doing something stupid. Self sacrificing.

“The only thing that can hurt us is losing you,” Zoey says firmly, raising her weapons again.

“After that nothing else comes close,” Mira asserts, raising her weapon steady and sure of herself.

“That's we’re you’re wrong, there are so many worse things,” Miyeong’s voice was sincere, her focus back on Rumi.

Miyeong disappeared before Mira's eyes in a cloud of pink, her breath caught as she realized what was happening, but it was too late. Rumi was by her side and suddenly Miyeong was there too, her arms wrapped around Rumi.

Mira locked eyes with Rumi and saw the visceral fear just before they vanished in another cloud of pink mist.

“No!” Zoey let out an ear splitting wail.

For one disorientating second Mira's heart sinks as her barely healed wounds tears open again.

Eyes darting around for a few harrowing moments they don’t know when or if they’ll see Rumi again. Until Mira catches a glimpse of pink that Rumi and Miyeong emerge from, by the window.

“Let her go!” Mira screams leaping into the air and she almost throws her weapon but Rumi is too close.

“I said stop!” Rumi screams, a wail that sends a surge of energy that ripples through the Honmoon.

Mira doesn't take her eyes off them as Zoey backflips over the couch rushing to Rumi’s side and hooking her arm around her waist, pulling her away from Miyeong.

Miyeong lets go of Rumi guilt in her eyes as she reaches out her hand, “I’m sorry please I just want to talk,”

“Then talk,” Rumi snapped, jerking her arm away from Miyeong “Tell me why you did all of this?!" Rumi screamed, sending another ripple of light through the Honmoon.

“Not here,” Miyeong answers plainly.

“We won’t let her take you Rumi,” Mira said, her chest heaving with Rumi still in danger she can’t even take in a full breath. Still she moves closer ready to fight.

A subtle movement in Rumi’s hand indicates to Mira to back off and her body tenses, barely able to hold back her urge to take Rumi and make a run for it.

“Rumi? Tell us what’s happening?” Zoey asked softly.

“I wasn’t sure until now," Rumi said, turning to Zoey and Mira. “But it finally makes sense. She was behind all those breaches, made sure I missed my feeds, sent the siren after both of you, knowing I'd have to bite in order to save you,” Rumi states devastation clear in her shaky tone.

“Rumi, I had to help you, I’m your eomma, I couldn’t watch you-”

“You could have just told me!” Rumi screams as another shudder ripples through the barrier, her eyes shining gold.

“You wouldn’t have listened… You were going to die Rumi, I couldn’t let that happen,” Miyeong said her voice cracked but she quickly found her composure, “I had to save you,”

Mira felt a wash of nausea take over at the familiar words, almost the exact ones she screamed at Celine. The same words Mira had used to excuse the extremes she went to to save Rumi, when she was dying in her arms.

“How did any of this help Rumi?” Zoey asked with disgust in her eyes.

“I could see you two were too weak to do what was necessary,” Miyeong snapped back trying to reach out Rumi but she pulled away, “Could tell by the look in your eyes, watching you struggle and fight your instincts everyday, I couldn’t just watch anymore,”

Mira gasps as it all sinks in like a slap in the face and all she felt was guilt for not being able to push Rumi without this extreme intervention. Rumi seemed to have a completely different thought, an expression of confusion.

“Watch? I don’t understand… How did you see me, how are you even here?” Rumi asked, frowning. “Did you follow me through the barrier?”

Mira let out a huff, her hand tightening around the staff of her gok-do but she did not raise it, and noticed Rumi's subtle movement instructed her to remain still with a glance.

“I was trapped on the other side of the Honmoon, until you tore it open,” Miyeong answered, smiling as if proud.

“You manipulated Rumi, to free yourself,” Zoey said, her eyes burning with hatred as she lunged forward but Rumi raised her hand. Held Zoey back.

“I didn’t mean for that to happen, for Rumi to run… I thought she would accept herself after she fed on Mira, but I’m here now… I can fix it,”

“There’s no fixing it!” Mira blurted out her anger overwhelming her before she realized the weight of her words.

“How, how is that possible, how are you-” Zoey asked disgustedly as she stepped back pulling Rumi with her.

“Gwi-ma he tricked me, he promised I could watch you grow up?”

“Well you missed it,” Rumi responded devastated.

“No I saw it all, but you couldn’t see me, hear me, I just watched from beyond the barrier unable to cross,” Miyeong croaked out, stepping closer as Rumi backed away.

"What?" Rumi gasped eyes on Miyeong, their weapons still drawn.

"No, no that's not possible you wouldn't. Why would I make a deal with Gwi-Ma? How could you?" Rumi stuttered out.

"I had no choice, I couldn't leave you to face this alone," Miyeong said, her hand reaching out to her cheek.

Rumi flinched away from her touch and Mira kept her grip tight on her staff, her body tensing like a coil about to spring. To attack but there was no need as Miyeong stepped back and nodded her head solemnly.

"You need more time… I'll be back before your next feed Rumi," Miyeong said but she didn’t move, just stared for a while.