Seori Cracked Foundation
Seori
Cracked Foundation
I’ve lied before. To demons. To Guild officers. Even to myself. But never like this. Not when my skin still buzzes with his touch. Not when my palm won’t stop burning. Not when my blood feels like it belongs to someone else now.
The Guild's underground chamber reeked of incense and old blood. I stood before the Elders in the circle of white salt, bowing just enough to be respectful — not obedient. I couldn’t afford to look weak. Not after failing to kill him.
No — not failing.
Choosing not to.
That was worse.
"Target sighted," I said coldly. "He escaped during a collapse in the lower temple ruins. Shadow burst nearly ruptured my wards."
Half-truths. Enough detail to pass. Just enough steel to cover the shaking in my voice. Elder Nam narrowed his eyes.
“He harmed you?”
“Superficial damage.” I straightened. “Nothing I couldn’t handle.”
Lies. All of it. Because the truth? The truth is that Rheon had his hand on my throat.
And he let me go.
I left the Guild before they could press further.
Yuna and Minji were waiting outside in the alley, dressed in civilian clothes — but their posture screamed ready-for-battle.
“Seori,” Yuna called softly, eyes scanning my face. “Are you okay?”
“Fine.” I pushed past them. “It’s over.”
But it wasn’t.
Every step I took echoed with phantom heat from where Rheon had touched me. I could still hear the rasp of his voice in my skull: You’re mine.
No. He’s wrong. He has to be wrong. Back at our safehouse, the silence cracked.
“You’re not fine,” Yuna said, arms crossed, her voice edged with frustration. “Your energy’s spiked. You’re hiding something.”
I went to the sink and splashed cold water on my face. Avoided the mirror. Avoiding them. Minji didn’t speak right away. She studied me, that too-knowing look in her eyes again. Minji never pushed. She watched. And that was worse.
Finally, she said it.
“Marks don’t lie, remember that.”
I froze.
“What?” I whispered.
Minji stepped forward.
“The seal on your hand. It’s brighter. Evolving. That only happens if—”
She paused. “—if a mate bond is initiating.”
My stomach dropped. I clenched my fists so tight the bones ached.
“You think I bonded with someone?”
“You’re the one who isn’t saying anything,” Minji said. “So tell us we’re wrong.”
I didn’t. I couldn’t. Later, alone in my room, I stripped off my gloves. The mark glowed faintly. Not holy anymore — warped with crimson at the edges.
I touched it. It pulsed back.
I’m losing myself.
Or maybe… I’m becoming something I was always meant to be. And that’s the part that scares me the most.
They trained me to kill monsters. But they never taught me what to do when one saves your life… and your soul answers his.