Aurora closed the book very gently, her fingers still trembling slightly. Her eyes glanced over the last line, "The blood moon is a sign of separation, especially for those with Luneva blood."
She took a deep breath, put the book in her cloth bag, and walked to the librarian's counter.
Aurora (voice calm but slightly hoarse): "I want to borrow this book."
Librarian (looking at her curiously): "Are you sure? This is an old book, not many people read it."
Aurora: "The fewer people read it, the better."
She signed the book, hugged the book tightly to her chest, and walked quickly out of the library as if afraid someone would snatch it away.
Aurora (whispering):
"…The blood moon… and the curse of Luneva…"
Outside the library, Blacke was leaning against a stone pillar, hands in his pockets, his sharp eyes watching.
Blacke (messages F4's group chat):
"She just borrowed a book about the blood moon. It's heavy, not the kind of book that idle young ladies read."
Knox:
"Blood moon? Another superstitious nonsense?"
Zane:
"Maybe it's just curiosity. Aurora is a bit... different after all."
Easton:
"No. This girl is getting more and more secretive. Blacke, follow her."
Blacke smirked, then followed Aurora, keeping her distance.
In the dormitory hallway, F3 was gathered in a corner of Jenden's private room.
Jenden (speaks softly, in a low voice):
"Tonight is the perfect time."
Marcus (leans back in his chair, swirling his wine glass):
"You mean... right before the blood moon rises?"
Liam (smirking):
"Exactly. Her mind will be confused then… easier to control."
Jenden (frowning):
"But Aurora is not like the other dolls in this hall. She is smarter, and… there is something… dangerous about her."
Marcus:
"That's more fun. High risk… high reward."
Liam (leaning close to Jenden, whispering):
"Just remember… don't let the F4 get their noses in. They only care about supercars and parties, not about the blood moon or Luneva."
Jenden nodded, his eyes flashing with malice.
Blacke continued to follow Aurora, but didn't know that further away, Marcus was also walking slowly at the end of the hallway, keeping a safe distance.
Marcus glanced at Liam around the corner, then curled his lips:
"We don't have to worry. Their eyes are only fixed on Aurora… and don't see us."
Liam nodded slightly, his hands clenched in his pockets, as if clutching something.
7:30 p.m. The fog was thick on the stone path leading up to the small cafe perched precariously on the mountainside, near the Academy. The space was so quiet that Aurora's footsteps echoed clearly, mixed with the sound of the wind whistling through the dry treetops.
Aurora pushed the door open and entered, the wind chimes tinkling softly. The warm scent of roasted coffee immediately filled the air, dispelling some of the cold.
She walked straight to the counter, her voice light as air:
Aurora: "A cup of milk coffee... with little sugar. Thank you."
The bartender nodded. Aurora chose a table near the corner, close to the large window. She put down her bag and pulled out an old-covered book. The title was dim: "Blood Moon and the Forbidden Rituals".
She flipped through the pages, her eyes focused, occasionally frowning slightly when reading the passages about "sacrifice" and "curse".
Footsteps sounded outside the door. Blacke had just appeared, dark-coated, face as cold as ice. But before he could enter, three other figures stepped out of the darkness, Jenden, Marcus, and Liam. F3.
They met.
Blacke paused for a second, his icy gaze sweeping over them.
F3 smiled, not a friendly smile.
Jenden: "Well, didn't think I'd see you here tonight, Blacke."
Marcus: (tilting his head, voice sarcastic) "Blood moon night… wandering near the academy again. You've noticed 'that girl' too?"
Liam: "Or is it just a coincidence?"
Blacke glanced at them, his eyes not bothering to hide his contempt.
Blacke: "Get out of the way."
Marcus chuckled.
Marcus: "Don't want to talk? Too bad. We were just discussing an 'interesting plan' for Aurora… But never mind, you don't need to know."
Blacke didn't reply, just slipped past, pushed the door of the cafe and entered. He walked straight to the counter, his voice low:
Blacke: "A cup of black coffee. Hot."
While waiting, he took out his phone, opened the F4 group chat:
Blacke: "Go to 'Moon Peak Café'. Right away. F3 is here."
After sending, he glanced through the window, F3 had disappeared into the mist.
Less than 5 minutes later, Knox was the first to enter. His hoodie was pulled up, but his eyes were as sharp as knives.
Zane and Easton followed closely, all three of them didn't say anything until they sat down at Blacke's table.
Knox: "What did F3 say to you?"
Blacke: "Not worth listening to. But… they mentioned Aurora."
Zane: (glancing at the corner of the cafe) "She's really here."
Easton: (smiling faintly) "And read exactly what everyone wants to hide tonight."
Blacke was silent, sipping his coffee. His and the others' eyes occasionally turned to Aurora.
Knox: "If they're going to strike on the night of the blood moon, sooner or later..."
Zane: "We'll have to strike first."
Easton: (leaning back in his chair) "The question is... whose side is Aurora on?"
Blacke put down his coffee cup, his voice low and firm:
Blacke: "Her side doesn't matter. What matters is... not letting F3 touch her."
The atmosphere in the cafe was thick. There was only the soft sound of Aurora flipping through the pages, but no one knew that each word she was reading could decide the fate of the entire group.
Aurora gently closed the book. The "click" sound echoed dryly in the quiet space.
Her eyes stopped on the book cover, but in those blue-gray pupils there was not interest but boredom, mixed with a vague worry.
This whole story… just reminded me of them… images of Rina and Diana flashed through my mind.
She let out a soft breath, but as soon as she raised her head… her gaze caught sight of F3 Jenden, Marcus, and Liam standing at the opposite window.
Jenden raised his eyebrows, his lips curled up in a challenging manner.
Marcus tilted his head, making a "come out and meet us" gesture with his hand.
Liam just crossed his arms, his sharp gaze seeming to read her every thought.
Aurora looked straight ahead, the corners of her lips curled into a familiar smirk. Still cold, still arrogant, just like the first time she and F3 met, the time they tried to tease and break the ice around her.
In another corner, Blacke, Knox, Zane, and Easton just witnessed that moment.
Easton: "Look… that smile… F3 is definitely asking her out."
Knox narrowed his eyes:
"That smile… is F3 playing a trick on her?"
Zane crossed his arms, his eyes cold:
"Definitely meeting at the window."
Blacke said nothing, just looked at Aurora intently, as if trying to read the layers of emotion behind her face.
Aurora stood up from her chair. Her steps were slow but sure, not bothering to avoid F4's gaze.
Easton dropped a sentence as he passed by:
"Coincidence."
She replied curtly, not caring at all:
"I don't think so."
Then continued walking to the counter.
Aurora raised her eyebrows, didn't reply, then continued walking to the counter.
The owner looked up, smiled:
"Mr. Blacke has already paid for you."
Aurora paused, frowned, then turned to look at Blacke:
"You're following me?"
Blacke replied slowly, his voice low and calm:
"No. I'm just interested in you."
Zane immediately interrupted, the corners of his lips curling up teasingly:
"We're all interested in you."
Knox nodded slightly as if to confirm, Easton chuckled lightly:
"Yeah, nothing more… or at least for now."
Knox:
"You're the first girl we've paid for, really."
Aurora tilted her head slightly, her face expressionless:
"Thanks… But I can pay for myself."
After saying that, she took out cash, the exact amount of her milk coffee, and placed it on F4's table. Without another word, she pushed the door open and walked out, leaving the four men watching.
Knox smacked her lips:
"You were tired just now, why are you so alert now?"
Zane crossed his arms, his eyes still glued to Aurora's back:
"Something… just changed after she finished reading the book."
Blacke frowned slightly, his voice low:
"And I want to know why."
---
The alley behind the library
Aurora's footsteps echoed softly on the damp brick floor. The wind blew through the dark alley, the smell of cigarette smoke and the smell of metal from the old iron doors mixed together. Three figures had been waiting, leaning against the wall.
Jenden (half-smiling):
"Who's this? The immortal girl of the academy. Gets better faster than a wild animal."
Marcus (raising his eyebrows):
"I really want to know... What did you swallow that made your wounds disappear in just a few days?"
Liam (laughing softly, his eyes glancing from head to toe at Aurora):
"Or is it... your nature that's different from normal people?"
Aurora (folding her arms, smiling crookedly):
"Are you guys done talking? I'm busy."
The three of them paused for a moment. Aurora's face showed no fear, just indifference mixed with a hint of challenge.
Jenden (steps forward, voice low but clear):
"Don't leave yet. We have a "little plan"... just for you."
Marcus (slowly, teasingly):
"But to be honest... Being this cold has its charms."
Liam (curls his lips):
"Your figure isn't bad. If you didn't know better... you'd think you were the type to be admired."
Aurora (looks straight at the three of them, voice cold):
"I don't have time to stand here and listen to you guys talk nonsense."
She turns to leave
"BAM!"
A sharp pain flashes. A figure appears behind her, the baseball bat comes down in a flash. Aurora collapses to the tiled floor.
Xiao-Yu (smiling brightly, swinging the bat in her hand like a trophy):
"Good job, right?"
Jenden (nods slightly):
"Very good."
Xiao-Yu (happily):
"Now then… do whatever you want to her like you've always dreamed of, go ahead. I'll go first."
Xiao-Yu turned and walked away, the sound of footsteps fading away.
Marcus (licking his lips, eyes flashing):
"Actually, I really want to…"
Jenden (raising his hand to stop him, voice resolute):
"Wait. I want to know who Aurora really is first."
At that moment, at the end of the alley, four figures appeared. Blacke, Knox, Zane, and Easton. Without a trace of panic or anger, they only looked at the scene of Aurora lying unconscious and Xiao-Yu still smiling with the stick in his hand.
The four of them slowly walked forward, their steps in sync, their eyes seeming to tear the air apart.
The cold night wind swept through the narrow alley, the yellow streetlights reflected on the mottled wall.
Aurora was dragged into a dark corner, unconscious on the cold brick floor. Xiao-Yu stood there, resting the dusty baseball bat and a strand of hair on his shoulder, his mouth curling into a triumphant smile.
On the other side of the alley, steady footsteps echoed.
Four figures appeared, not in a hurry, not noisy, but the pressure seemed to be squeezing every inch of air.
Blacke was in the lead, his long black coat fluttering lightly in the wind.
Knox stood to the left, hands in his pockets, eyes as dark as abysses.
Zane was silent, eyes narrowed, observing every detail.
Easton took the last step, adjusting his cuffs, his gaze cold as if he had just measured the coffin.
Blacke (low, slow voice, each word like a knife):
"Nice... New stick?"
Xiao-Yu (pausing slightly but trying to act normal):
"Ah... this stick? Yeah, a gift from a friend."
Knox (tilting his head, voice disdainful):
"Friend? Or a tool to beat women unconscious?"
Zane (interrupting, eyes fixed on Aurora on the ground):
"Who gave you the right to touch her?"
Xiao-Yu (holding back a gulp, defending):
"This... is a personal matter. You guys don't need to interfere."
Easton (steps forward, voice flat but full of murderous intent):
"Wrong. The matter of Aurora... is our business by default."
The wind in the alley suddenly stops blowing. Xiao-Yu takes a half step back, his hand lightly gripping the handle of his cane.
Blacke (approaches, eyes stopping just enough for Xiao-Yu to feel the cold air radiating from him):
"I'll ask you once."
"What is your plan...?"
Xiao-Yu (looks at Marcus, Jenden, Liam but receives no support from them):
"..."
Knox (bends close to Xiao-Yu's ear, voice low, hissing slightly):
"Don't make me ask you twice. You know... my family never "forgives" when they take action."
Zane (looks straight into Xiao-Yu's eyes, voice cold as ice):
"Speak. Or I'll make you wish you never breathed tonight."
Xiao-Yu (breathing heavily, hands shaking slightly, swallowing at last):
"Okay... okay."
"We were only ordered... to weaken her."
"Not to kill."
"And... there's one more part... but I can't say it."
Easton (squinting, voice low but threatening enough):
"Can't say it"? Or are you afraid... of us?"
Blacke (half a step back, eyes piercing):
"I'll give you one last chance... to keep your face intact."
"Say it. That's it. Everything."
Xiao-Yu (heart pounding, sweat pouring):
".. Okay."
"The plan is... today is just a warm-up."
"But tomorrow... it will be something else."
"If you want to know, find out for yourself."
F4 looked at each other, no one moved. Only the pressure pressing down made Xiao-Yu feel like he was tied to the wall.
Knox (coldly letting go):
"Go away. Before I change my mind."
Xiao-Yu swallowed, squeezed through the narrow gap, and disappeared, leaving the stick rolling on the cement floor.
The four of them still stood there, their eyes fixed on the unconscious Aurora. No one said anything... but they all knew: tomorrow, blood might be spilled.
The footsteps echoed steadily, steadily, like the countdown of fate.
Four figures appeared from the alley entrance, Blacke, Knox, Zane, and Easton.
Aurora lay motionless under the dusty cement, breathing weakly.
Opposite them, F3 stood there, their eyes cold and challenging.
Blacke (low voice, cold as ice):
"What are you three... doing here?"
Jenden (smirking, not backing down):
"Just taking what belongs to us."
Zane (squinting, voice mocking):
"What belongs to you? Don't tell me… Aurora?"
Marcus (shrugging, eyes like knives):
"Not 'don't tell me'. And yes."
Knox (stepping forward, the pressure pressing down like a hammer):
"That's funny… you think you can touch her?"
Liam (smirking):
"You don't seem to have heard of our plan."
Easton (clasping his hands together, his voice low and steady but tinged with the smell of gunpowder):
"We don't care what you do… Just remember… she doesn't belong to F3."
Jenden (smirking defiantly):
"Sometimes… what doesn't belong to you is the sweetest thing to take."
Blacke (his eyes seem to pierce Jenden, each word etched into the air):
"Touching her… is touching our last limit."
The space is filled with stifling silence.
The wind whistles through the narrow alley, carrying a musty smell and… a dangerous smell.
Marcus (turning back, his voice mixed with joking):
"Keep her… if you can."
The three F3 members walked away, their backs disappearing into the night.
Blacke walked over, knelt down, and gently picked Aurora up. She was cold, her breathing so weak it was hard to detect.
Blacke (softly, almost whispering):
"Take her home."
The F4 were stunned for a few seconds. No one knew... where Aurora's house was.
Knox (sighing, voice helpless):
"We can't help it... take her to our mansion."
They left the alley, the four figures blending into the night, leaving only the cracked ground and a lingering smell of resentment.