Suspect

The man strode towards him; lazily juggling two bottles in his hands. His inky robes made it seem like he was made from the shadows. With the flames in the room flickering erratically, by his waist, the unmistakable glint of silver shone through the dark.

"Is everything true?" Yun Yong asked in a hard voice; a strange kind of discomfort gripping his heart. His mind and heart were at war with each other. Nothing made any sense.

The man snorted and passed him a bottle, "Oh, yes. That little sister of yours kept us on our toes the whole day." With a pop, a floral aroma filled the room. In an ungraceful maneuver, he sat against the door; pulling the other down with him. "Tired me and the boys out. Kid came out of shit pavilion with a small fortune and a pack of Silver cultivators sniffing after her." Warm wine moistened the man's throat as he swung his bottle back.

The space between Yun Yong's brows was creased deeply. He broke open the seal to his own drink; thinking over the reports of today that could not make any sense. In comparison to anyone, he had the best understanding of his younger sibling. He forcefully pieced together his understanding of her, but no picture formed could explain the events of today.

He took a swing of wine; the sweet taste washing a bitter one from his mouth. He remembered the alleyway, he remembered her knife.

"Do you know what happened at Wolfsbane?" Knowing the powers behind the establishment, it would be a stretch if his sworn brother did. They knew enough not to provoke these people head on, and that at this point they couldn't rival them. As expected, the other man shook his head no. "Tried to get the girls to ask around, but it seems like there were people getting paid off. Everything's sealed and hush-hush." A serious look washed over the man's features.

"She caused enough of a stir to warrant that old, crusty man sending hounds to tail her. Thank god we could eliminate them without getting caught, but you do understand how fucked we'd be if they found out that we were the ones who did this—or if they found out she was your sister, right?"

Being told off twice in an hour did not improve Yun Yong's mood, but he dared not voice his displeasure.

"She's a sharp one, but you've got to teach her better. She wouldn't have gotten away with her disappearing act if not for our interference."

He clicked his tongue, the sound deafening in the quiet. "I'll forgive you for today's nonsense. I don't care about what kind of treasures your family may have or whatever household issues you have. She's your younger sister. You're responsible for her. We're playing a waiting game here. If one power is roused, the others will follow. Make sure this doesn't happen again."

Yun Yong didn't reply. The words rang in his ears. He understood the severity of today, but right now that was secondary to the scene in a damp alleyway playing out in his mind. His focus consumed by the sight of the fabric wrapped around his hand.

Although his brothers had assured him, he had been consumed by anger and bloodlust at the thought of his mei mei falling into harm's way. No one could get through to him. He stalked around the vicinity of the household, waiting for her return.

For the past few years, he had his obligations to fulfill. His absences would become longer and more frequent. Yet despite that, the bond he had with his sister was undeniable. The two could tell when the other had returned home without having to look or hear the other's voice.

In that alleyway next to his home, he believed someone was using the chaotic state of the household to sneak in. The figure was small and weak, the perfect candidate for another spy masquerading as a servant. He did not hesitate to impose the strength he cultivated against an enemy.

He knew the extent of his power. When he raged, even the men who had fought and trained by his side for many years could not help but cough blood.

He had seen her face when she brandished her dagger. By instinct, he had shouted for her; confusion tightening his chest as she tried to bolt. Even as his body began to falter and she worried over his wound, he couldn't really focus on anything other than a glaring fact.

Yun Yong had hurt the one person he had always sworn to protect.

But her mannerisms, her behavior, her actions; it was all foreign to him. It was as if looking at a stranger that bore a familiar face. He felt it at his core. Something had changed, beyond what logic could see.

All he knew for certain, was that he couldn't recognize his mei mei anymore.