I darkened the door to the health office—hand frozen mid-knock.

  If I go in there, I would have to confront Ryo, who may cost Antwon his life.

  Calm down, girl, you can do this.

  I knocked, expecting Ryo to be waiting for me with his smug attitude.

  The door opened and—

  “Mr. Junpei!”

  “Hi, hon, I’m covering for Mr. Okimoto today. Do you need anything, Ma’am?”

  “Is…Ryo in there?” I pointed to the space behind him, openly praying that he would say no.

  “Ah, Mr. Aizawa is in.” I could only see his eyes behind his mask, but his smile was sincere, as always.

  Mr. Junpei led me into the room. White curtains shrouded the four beds.

  “Mr. Aizawa is in the st bed,” he whispered. “Ms. Tsukikage, is everything alright with—” his face turned red with embarrassment. “With your harem, Ma’am?”

  Beads of sweat ran down my forehead at the thought of being surrounded by scantily dressed men, all lusting for me.

  My face grew warm, too warm.“ I don’t have a harem! What lies has he been telling you?”

  “He told me that one of your sides got out of hand and got a little bold with their hands, if you catch my drift.” He leaned in close, whispered, “I support you. You know, you remind me of your mother when she was your age. All the little boys would chase her, and she would line them up and push them down.” He giggled.

  I cringed on the inside and out. Something tells me that he was also included in that lineup.

  I covered my ears, trying to unhear details about my Mom’s teenage love life. “Mr. Junpei!”

  “I’m sorry, hon.”

  He stepped aside. I hesitated long enough to catch my breath, and I walked to Ryo’s bed. His veil was cast, but not red, not yet.

  I didn’t pull the curtain back because I wanted privacy—I stepped in to find a sleeping Ryo.

  His boyish charm was at its highest when he wasn’t being a jerk or talking. He lovingly brought both hands together as if to deliver a silent prayer, resting them under his head. His bruises were dressed.

  “Ryo,” I cooed lovingly, softly touching his hair.

  His eyes fluttered awake—to my voice—to my touch? I didn’t care. All that mattered was this moment. His eyes finally met mine, and his princely smile blessed me with acknowledgement.

  “Chrisy, I knew you would come for me.”

  His words gave me all the encouragement I needed. The perfect little Court boy for a Blood Sprout maiden.

  I wrapped my hand around his hair, pulling tight.

  His eyes widened—his face distorted with pain, shattering his perfect image. His hand cwed at mine, but I didn’t budge.

  “Ouch! Christine, you're hurt—” I pressed my finger to his lips to silence him.

  I emptied out my heart, swallowing my humanity. “You’re right, Ryo—I am hurt—you’ve been hurting me for years, and I allowed you to.”

  I could hear Mr. Junpei’s chair roll near the veil. He could listen—I don’t care.

  “You disgraced me by flirting with every girl you could see, regardless of whether she was taken or not. But I suffered it for the sake of our cns. But you went too far, not once or twice, but four times.”

  Fear washed over his face. He assumed I didn’t know.

  Pain swelled in his eyes. “P-Please, Christine.”

  I loosened my grip, but didn’t let go. I slowly moved my finger, permitting him to talk.

  He hesitated, and I enjoyed every moment.

  “I-I didn’t do anything that would hurt our retionship. S-sure I-I flirted a bit, but that’s it.

  I squeezed, wanting to hear him whimper.

  “I squeezed them like I’m squeezing you right now. Out of all the girls, four of them confessed, Ryo. They told me how you slid your hands down their bellies and—”

  “But they never touched me, Christine.”

  I bit my bottom lip

  I rexed, regaining focus. I maintained eye contact, peering deep into his empty husk.

  “Antwon will be in the Veil’s crosshairs after Hina reports to your mom.” I waited for the glimmer of light in his eyes to accept the reality his actions created.

  They flickered and then burned with rage. “That parentless bastard deserves to die for hurting me.”

  I squeezed tighter.

  “Ouch, Christine, you’re hurting me.”

  “You don’t know what pain is. But if Antwon dies because of you, I’ll teach it to you.”

  I let go of his hair and gently caressed his face, wiping his tears away. Each stroke earned a flinch.

  “Ryo,” I sang with toxin on my lips. He knew not to answer—he’s already learning.

  My voice, now elevated, was drawing the attention of Mr. Junpei’s patients as bed sheets rustled. “Dear Ryo. Sweet Ryo, Kind Ryo. If Antwon dies, I’ll come for you and your whole cn. The Court will decre war on the Veil. The streets will run red with blood, as you lose everything.”

  Tremors devoured him, coursing through his cheek.

  “Don’t worry, Ryo,” I said, voice still honeyed. “I won’t kill you because death isn’t good enough. No. I’ll brand that pretty little face of yours, so you can live the life you’ve always wanted—servicing the low-ranking dies of the Fan.”

  I slowly moved my hand away, letting the weight of it all ground him. He stoked the fmes of war—it’s only right that he feels its heat.

  He halted my withdrawal, grabbing my hand, bringing me back to his face.

  “I’m sorry. Please don’t discard me,” he said, hugging my hand like the parasite he is.

  “Okay, Ryo, but first, you know what you have to do.”

  I stood up, removed my hand, and exited the veil—no words needed.

  I hurt Ryo—my decration was made.

  Mr. Junpei was waiting for me. His finger was over his mouth, guarding his smile. He was exposing his shoulder, revealing his Iron Fan marking, showing his cn loyalty.

  He was definitely in my mom’s lineup.

  KnoxCross116