Chapter Two
Isit cross-legged on the grass, picking at the blades between my fingers as I study the circle of halfbloods around me. The sun warms my face, and there's enough heat in the air that I'm glad I wore a cami and shorts.
“I lived in the human world my whole life,” Minsi says, her voice soft and hesitant. She's barely twenty-two, with delicate features that lean more human than fae. “My mother left me with my human father when I was a baby. House Aquamarine, I think? At least, that's what the records say.”
Noa snorts from beside me. “At least you know which house.
My mother dumped me at a human orphanage.
Didn't even leave a note.” She runs a hand through her dark hair, exposing the slightly pointed tips of her ears.
“Just figured out I was House Ruby when my fire affinity kicked in during high school. Nearly burned down the gymnasium.”
A few knowing chuckles ripple through the group. Most of us discovered our powers the hard way—through accidents and close calls.
“What about you, Gawon?” Gyurin asks, looking at me. She's another fire affinity, though her flames burn white-hot compared to my red. “You said you grew up with the fae?”
I nod, feeling the weight of their stares. “Yeah. Fae nursery until I was sixteen. I tried living among them for a while but…” I trail off, absently touching the scar on my collarbone. “It didn't really work out.”
“They found out you were a halfblood?” Yeojun guesses. He's one of the few male halfbloods here, tall and lean with striking light brown eyes.
“Yeah, and it was always brutal when they did. It was pretty clear they didn't want me in their world. I even tried to have relationships with full fae males, but that went about as well as you'd expect.” I keep my voice flat, matter-of-fact. “After that, I stuck to the human world.”
Jinah wraps her arms around her knees. She’s a shadow affinity, but so far I’ve seen no hints of the dark tendrils that usually bleed out of shadow fae when they’re feeling things.
Her magic seems oddly quiet. “They hate us because we're everything they're not.
They think we're mistakes. Because we can do things they can't. My mother's from House Obsidian—she actually told me that herself when I tracked her down. Said I was an embarrassment to the bloodline.”
“They're scared of us,” Noa declares, fire dancing between her fingers. “We're immune to their tricks and drugs. We can see through their glamours. And we're just as powerful as they are, sometimes more.”
“The twin queens promise things are different now. That they are changing, that we can live safely with the fae.” Minsi's voice trembles slightly. “But how do we know this isn't some kind of trap?”
I look around at their wary faces, seeing my own doubts reflected back at me. Some of them never knew their fae parents, others were actively rejected. All of us carry scars, visible or not.
“I get it,” I say, leaning back on my palms. “Trust me, I've been burned by full fae more times than I can count. Literally, in some cases.” I share looks with some of the other fire affinities.
We can't be burned by fire, but that doesn't mean we can't be attacked with fire magic.
And there are no fae worse-tempered than fire affinities.
“But the twin queens are different. Princess Seoha especially—she's fighting for us.
She could've just ignored us like every other royal before her.”
It was Seoha who personally extended the invitation to live here to most of us.
The complex was Seoha's idea, with the backing of Queen Seoyu and the allied houses of their mates.
The twin queens are an anomaly—two halfbloods who rose to royal status and then mated multiple fae males, all of equally powerful houses and from prominent fae families.
The twins are a force to be reckoned with.
They've emboldened halfbloods everywhere and given us hope that things will be different.
“They know what it's like to be caught between two worlds. And look what they've already done—this whole complex, protection under fae law, actual recognition of our rights. When has any full fae ever given us that?”
Noa nods vigorously, her eyes lighting up.
“You're right. I mean, I still don't trust most full fae as far as I can throw them, but the queens have actually followed through. This place—” She gestures at the sprawling buildings of Halfblood Hall.
“It's more than just housing. It's acknowledgment that we exist, that we deserve a place here.”
“Exactly.” I sit up straighter, feeling that familiar fire of defiance in my chest. “We deserve to live without hiding what we are.
Without fear. And yeah, maybe some full fae will never accept us, but we don't need their acceptance. We just need to prove we belong here. And fuck anyone who gets in the way.”
“I like how you think,” Noa says, grinning at me. Her expression reminds me of Soot when he's found something interesting to chase. “You're not afraid of them.”
“Never have been. Got me in trouble more than once.”
“It's only what they deserve.” She grins.
The others start dispersing, heading off to explore the complex or check out class schedules. Minsi mentions something about the training facilities, while Jinah wants to see more of the shadow affinity wing.
Noa stretches and stands, offering me a hand up. “Want to grab coffee? There's a cafe in Ember Unit. We can swap more stories about pissing off stuck-up fae pricks.”
I laugh and take her hand. “Sounds perfect. I could use the caffeine.”
Noa and I head into the small café tucked into the front corner on the first floor of Ember Unit. The space is cozy, with warm wood accents and plush seating areas. The scent of coffee and fresh pastries fills the air.
“Their Americano is decent,” Noa says as we approach the counter. “Not as good as human coffee shops, but it'll do.”
I order an iced Americano while Noa gets something loaded with caramel and whipped cream. We find a quiet table by the window, settling in with our drinks.
“How'd you learn to control your fire?” I ask, stirring my drink. “Most halfbloods I know struggled without proper training.”
Noa's lips curl into a sharp smile. “Trial and error, mostly.
Almost burned down a lot of public property when I was a teen.
After that, I knew I had to figure it out or I'd hurt someone.” She takes a sip of her drink, leaving a smear of whipped cream on her upper lip.
“Spent a lot of time in the woods practicing. Found some books about fae magic in a used bookstore. The rest was just survival.”
“Yeah? Like what?”
“You know full fae like to hunt halfbloods for sport sometimes. Especially the fire affinities—they think we're easy targets since we're 'diluted.'” She makes air quotes with her fingers. “I learned pretty quickly how to fight back.”
I nod, understanding completely. “The kids at the nursery were brutal once they realized what I was. Would corner me in the gardens, try to overwhelm me with their magic.” I trace a finger around the rim of my cup.
“One day, I just … snapped. Sent three of them to the infirmary with bloody noses, black eyes, and scorched clothes.”
“Good,” Noa says fiercely. “They deserved it.”
“The caretakers didn't see it that way. But it taught me something important—that I could be just as powerful as them, maybe more. So I started training obsessively, learning everything I could about fire magic.”
The bell above the café door chimes, and we both tense as three guards—males—walk in.
They're in silk shirts of bright red with the emblem of House Ruby on the sleeves.
All of the fire houses are allied with the twin queens, but House Ruby, being the biggest, was also the one to send the most of their young males as guards for Ember Unit.
I quickly scan their faces. None of them are the male from the roof, but my shoulders stay tight until they move to the counter.
“You okay?” Noa asks quietly.
“Yeah, just had a run-in with one of them yesterday. A huffy asshole going on about rules and boundaries. Trying to order me around in my new home already.”
She snorts. “Typical. Think having magic makes them gods or something.”
Right then, one of the guards turns, and I catch my breath despite myself.
He's striking in that typical fae way—all sharp angles and perfect features, with a smile that probably makes most females weak in the knees.
He has slightly long, black hair that falls in artful waves, and his uniform clings to broad shoulders.
He's one of the tallest in the group, with beautiful tanned skin and deep-set eyes the color of milk chocolate that seem to glitter with mischief.
A few years ago, before I learned better, I might have swooned.
He catches me looking, and his smile widens, revealing perfect white teeth and a peek of sharp, white fang tips. His eyes linger on me with clear interest.
Noa makes a disgusted sound. “Oh great. That one's trouble.”
I laugh and take another sip of my Americano. “Trust me, I know the type. The friendly ones are usually the worst—all charm on the surface until they find out what you are. Then the fangs come out for real.”
“He is pretty, though,” Noa admits grudgingly, stirring her drink.
I shrug, keeping my expression neutral. “Pretty lost its appeal a long time ago. I've seen how ugly it can get underneath.”
“Shit,” Noa hisses suddenly, ducking her head. “He's coming over.”
I lift my eyes to see the guard indeed heading our way, that practiced smile still in place. My spine stiffens and I resist the urge to bare my teeth. Instead, I force my features into careful blankness and brace for whatever's coming.
The guard glides to our table with fluid grace, his movements deliberately non-threatening. He sketches an elegant bow, managing to make the formal gesture seem casual and playful rather than stuffy.
“Ladies,” he greets warmly. “I'm Eunho. Just wanted to welcome some new faces to Ember Unit.”
His smile is bright and genuine as his gaze sweeps between us, though it lingers a beat longer on me. There's an easy confidence to him that I've seen in many fae males, but something about his demeanor feels different—less predatory, more genuinely friendly.
“Are you both House Ruby?” he asks, tilting his head.
I give a short nod, but Noa's response comes out clipped. “As far as I know.”
Eunho takes her curt tone in stride, his expression remaining open and warm. “Which apartments are you in? I'd love to know where to find you if you need anything.”
“That's private information,” Noa growls, her shoulders tensing.
I watch him carefully, waiting for the mask to slip—for that flash of arrogance or disdain I'm so used to seeing from full fae males when challenged. But Eunho just nods agreeably, his smile never faltering.
“Of course, my apologies. Just know I'm here to help if you need anything at all. We want you both to feel welcome and comfortable here.”
Something in his earnest tone makes me soften slightly. I've gotten good at reading people over the years, at sensing ulterior motives and hidden contempt. But I detect none of that from him—no condescension, no malice lurking beneath the charm.
“Thank you,” I tell him, surprising myself with how much I mean it. “It's much appreciated.”
Noa shoots me a knowing look, her lips curling into a smirk. I ignore her, tipping my head in acknowledgment as Eunho starts to step away. My breath catches when he winks at me before turning to rejoin the other guards.
Noa slaps at my hands. “Don't even think about it. One night and a pretty face isn't worth bringing a viper into your bed.”
I snort and go back to my coffee, though I can't help watching the guards leave from the corner of my eye. Their red uniforms stand out against the warm wood tones of the café as they file out.
“You know what we need?” I tap my fingers against my cup. “A welcome party. There's only about thirty-five of us here so far, and this place feels empty. Everyone could use some company and friends. It'd be a good chance for all of us to really get to know each other and settle in.”
Noa's eyes light up. “That's actually a great idea. I can look up the directory and get everyone's numbers to send invites.”
“I'll host at my place,” I offer. “It's pretty spacious and I've got that nice balcony.”
“Perfect.” Noa pulls out her phone and starts scrolling. “We'll need drinks, obviously. Food too. Maybe some music?”
“Definitely music.” I lean forward, excitement building in my chest. “I never got to go to any of the fae parties in high school. This'll be different, though—just us halfbloods letting loose together.”
“No stuffy rules or judgmental looks,” Noa agrees. “And hey, looks like not all the guards will be surly assholes either.” She wiggles her eyebrows at me.
I roll my eyes, but a smile curves my lips. Things are looking up. For the first time in a long while, I feel like I might actually belong somewhere.