“Do you really think you’re in any position to negotiate?” Liang Di made no effort to hide the tentacles coiling around her. “You’ve seen things you shouldn’t. Be grateful I haven’t silenced you yet—and you still dare to bargain?”
Liang Lin chimed in, “Forgot how you threw sand in my eyes? I hold grudges. Talk now, I let you go. Stay silent? You’ll learn what ‘interrogation’ really means.”
Their voices deepened. Shadows stretched across the ground, sprouting tiny devil horns.
Poor Gratice trembled, tears welling in her eyes. “Y-you’re devils! Actual devils! I’ll talk—I’ll talk, okay?!”
“It… came from… a church.”
*A church?*
*Just as expected.*
“Good girl,” Liang Di murmured. A tendril slipped into Gratice’s ear. “Rest now.”
Youth had its perks—she crumpled to the floor instantly.
“Did you wipe her memory?”
“No. She’s the second human I’ve seen with an anomalous body. Shouldn’t be possible.” Liang Di frowned. “Gag her. Carry her back to the inn, lock the room. We head straight to the church. Examine her later.”
*So she’s just pack mule duty now.*
Grumbling inwardly, Liang Lin hoisted Gratice and dumped her in the inn room.
4:30 AM. Mist veiled the streets.
“Fog’s rolling in.”
Liang Di hated this damp air—rain felt inevitable. A few pedestrians hurried past, umbrellas clutched tight.
After the night’s ordeal, Liang Di looked drained. Liang Lin, energized as ever, urged her on. “Hurry up! We’ll miss our chance!”
“That priest was suspicious. Hope the nun’s alright.”
The church gates were chained shut—rusted iron, heavy links, a silent *keep out*.
“Step on my shoulders. Get on the wall. I’ll flip in and catch you.” Liang Lin crouched.
Liang Di almost refused—her tentacles could scale it easily. But seeing Liang Lin’s small, determined form, she swallowed the words. Almost instinctively, she placed a foot on her shoulder.
The wall was high. Liang Di struggled slightly in her long skirt. A breeze brushed her legs, sending a shiver through her.
Liang Lin backed up, sprinted, vaulted the wall with one hand bracing, and landed smoothly below.
“Jump! I’ve got you!” She turned, arms wide.
Dawn broke. Pale light touched Liang Lin’s face—resolute, yet soft as a spring blossom.
For a fleeting moment, Liang Di froze.
*This felt familiar.*
*A sea of flowers. A child’s voice, firm despite missing a tooth: “Don’t be afraid! I’ll catch you!”*
*Her own tears. The leap. Tumbling together into blossoms, petals swirling like gentle rain.*
*“Ha ha ha~”*
*“HA HA HA HA~”*
*Two flushed, laughing faces.*
“Hey! Spacing out? Jump already!” Liang Lin shouted.
Liang Di snapped back, leaped.
Arms slender but strong caught her. Wind tousled Liang Lin’s messy hair, lending her an unexpectedly handsome air.
“Why stare? Get down.”
“O-oh… right.”
Only then did Liang Di notice her hands still gripping Liang Lin’s arms.
“…You haven’t changed.”
Wind stole the words. Liang Lin squinted, leaned close. “What? Didn’t catch that.”
Liang Di sighed, smiling faintly. “Nothing. Not important.”
“How strange,” Liang Lin muttered. “Always saying weird stuff. How would *you* know if I changed?”
“Mm-hmm~ Maybe I do.” Liang Di tucked a silver-white strand behind her ear.
*Click.*
The main door unlocked. A blurry figure—*the priest*.
“Shh.”
They ducked behind the church, crouching, peeking.
*Now.*
Liang Di nodded. Liang Lin lunged—arm locked on throat, sharp jab to the kidney.
*Thud.*
The priest’s eyes rolled back. Liang Lin sidestepped his collapse, swiftly binding him in a complex knot.
“…You tied him *suggestively*,” Liang Di grimaced.
“I tied the little vampire girl the same way!”
“But Gratice is pretty. Looked… lewd.”
“Huh. Fair.”
“Where’d you learn this?”
“Book! From Auston’s study. What’s wrong with it?”
“…Nothing. You do you.”
*Well. The old man had eclectic tastes.*
The priest awoke beneath the sacred statue, sprawled like discarded meat.
“Oh—my God.” Terror flashed across his face.
“Cut the ‘Oh my God’ crap,” Liang Lin pressed a pocket knife to his throat. “Are the missing girls alive? Take me to them. Or else…”
Blood seeped from the cut. His teeth chattered. Eyes closed.
Liang Di stiffened. “Liang Lin! Poison capsule in his mouth—don’t let him bite it!”
*Crunch.*
“AAAAAAAH!!!”
