Amelia was already on the other side of the threshold as Grey let Taehyung out of her room. Grey's best friend glared at the Beast, stepping almost halfway down the hall to let him pass. He nodded his head at her for acknowledgment. She turned up her nose at him.

Grey sighed through her nostrils. "You wanted to talk?"

"I'm beginning to have second thoughts," Amelia said. "Do they all warm your bed?"

Grey laughed humorlessly, leaning against her doorframe. "It's not going to work, Amelia. You can't hurt me more than I've hurt you."

She tongued the inside of her cheek, tears forming in her dull eyes. They'd lost a bit of their shine since the Ruby Courtyard. "Fine. But I want you to know, I'd never lie to you as often and as deeply as you've lied to me."

"Yeah, well it was either keep you out of it or be responsible for your death." Grey pushed a loose curl behind her ear. "Guess which one I chose?"

"I can protect myself," Amelia snapped.

"Mmm," Grey shook her head, "not from this."

Amelia shifted her weight to her other hip. "I don't even know what this is."

"It's a shit show, starring me." Grey closed her eyes, letting her head lull back against the doorframe. "I just want it to be over."

"What's the matter? It's my turn to be mad, not yours."

"I know," Grey smiled softly, keeping her eyes closed, "I just need someone to talk to. Someone that isn't leaking testosterone, formerly possessed, or part animal."

Amelia shrugged. "I was partially possessed. Does that count?"

"But you hate me. It's basically the same."

"I don't hate you," Amelia sighed, "I just don't know you. Shacking up here is better than staying in my room."

Grey laughed as much as she could based on circumstances. "Then, I'll make the exception. We can get formally reacquainted." She gestured for Amelia to enter. Her best friend examined her foyer and living room warily.

"This room fits you," she said.

"Thanks. Make yourself comfortable if you want story time."

Amelia plopped onto the couch, grabbing a beaded pillow and snuggling it. "Alright, shoot."

Grey fell into an armchair, sudden nostalgia making her stare at the coffee table. Right there, at the very center Anaphiel offered their gifts for the masquerade ball. She opened all of them so eagerly, excited to dance with them and even more excited to gush about them with Luca. Look at how much time had passed. Look at the way things had changed. Instead of gift bundles, her one and only friend curled up across from her on the couch. That warmed her heart more than any diamond-encrusted trinket anyone could buy.

"You already know the basics. Angels, demons, my stay here. You don't know about how deep my involvement goes."

Amelia removed her slippers and put her feet on the cushion beside her. "Oh, let me act like I didn't see this coming."

Grey rolled her eyes. "I... really like these men." Amelia's eyes widened, Grey wagged a finger at her before she could say something rude. "They're wonderful once you come to understand them. And it takes a while, but I feel like I know them enough."

"Okay, pause. You like all of these guys? Like like?"

Grey ran hands over her face. "It just happened, okay? I can't help it. Have you seen them?"

"I can't stand them but yes, Grey, they're sexy." Amelia nodded. "Beautiful."

"So, I'm not crazy! They're hard to resist. And we've been through a lot."

"But this doesn't give you an excuse to help yourself to the buffet. There's obviously some dark stuff going on. That should have your attention more than their cool hair, or clothes, or... really perfect jaw lines."

Grey cracked a smile. Amelia was logical, but she wasn't blind. Getting serious, she said, "The dark stuff has ruined my life enough. Dwelling on it does nothing."

"Fine." Grey's best friend squeezed the pillow harder. "So, are you playing Mystic Messenger with all of them, or?"

Mystic Messenger? Grey threw the pillow behind her at Amelia's head. Her best friend ducked, smacking her lips. "What? You're living an otome game!"

"This is serious, Amy. I don't know what to do. Sometimes, they infuriate me. Sometimes, I feel like the most special girl in the world. Each of them are different. They bring...things out of me."

Amelia clicked her tongue. "All of them? Do you hear the dilemma? All seven individuals. That's a lot of men."

"They each mean something different. Hoseok is more of a big brother. Namjoon is..."

"Namjoon is what?" Amelia crossed her legs.

"More of a smartass mentor. He's always been really laid back and his intentions always seem to be decent." Grey raised an eyebrow as Amelia almost imperceptibly leaned forward in the hopes of hearing her elaborate. "Is there something I should know?"

Amelia scowled. "What are you talking about? Everyone in this house is gross far as I'm concerned."

"Right," Grey said, pursing her lips. "Anyway, how do you feel with Vanity being around?"

"I've never hated someone as much as I hate her."

Grey was about to agree, but couldn't. She hated being lied to, but during the nights and days when Variel roamed her head, she and the Queen spoke. Putting herself in the Queen's shoes, wouldn't she have done the same to escape? If telling people your true intent, hoping for them to kill another without anything in return, meant scaring them off... making a little white lie would add appeal to the idea. 

Amelia continued. "She changed my thoughts. That's the highest intrusion of privacy and she does it at the drop of a hat."

"She won't do that anymore," Grey said.

"I don't believe it," Amelia said, shaking her head.

"She owes me a debt. Right now, she has to listen whether she likes it or not. I won't let her do it again."

Amelia nodded. "I still hate her."

"I don't blame you. But as you adjust to the penthouse and Anaphiel, I need you to listen too."

"To what?"

Grey straightened in her chair. "You are not only a part of this secret, you're a part of this household. I'm not asking you to get along with the others. I'm just asking you to try to keep the peace. We have enough scores to settle and not enough time to settle them."

Amelia dug her fingernails into her pillow. Grey went on, "Stay with me. I'll handle the angels. You try not to kill the Queen in her sleep. The closer we stick together, the faster we get out of this mess. Can you do that?"

"How much time do you have left?"

"This is the last week of October. Then two months."

Amelia nodded. "You've bought my companionship."

"Then hurry up," Grey said, standing, "we're late for the meeting."

Amelia frowned. "Now? I don't get a two day advance warning?"

"Two days of no activity here is a luxury. Let's go." Grey moved to the door. Amelia slowly put the pillow she'd been holding to the side. She pushed herself off the couch, each step slow and arduous. Grey was careful not to touch her as they strolled through the hallway side by side. Not because she did not want that comfort, but because she would wait patiently day in and day out for Amelia to reach for her again.

:::

The girls sent a message with their presence. At last, they were united. 

Anaphiel, Vanity, and Luca narrowed their eyes on her best friend. Grey swallowed, hoping the girl wouldn't come into this meeting with her smart mouth blazing. Except, while Grey waited for Amelia to erupt, her best friend only leaned closer to Grey's ear and said, "I've never been stared at so hard in my entire life."

Rather than sitting, Grey joined Amelia by standing around the outskirts of the table. Amelia scooted closer until they were shoulder to shoulder.

"Welcome Amelia," Luca said warily.

Grey felt Amelia inhale a sharp breath. She grabbed her friend's hand. "Let's skip introductions."

"Very well then," the kitten said. She trotted towards the only object at the table. 

The First King's journal was a reddish brown. Golden curlicues wrapped about the cover and spine, twirling into a gorgeous pattern where it met the pages and molded them together. The book was locked, but without the conventional lock. Unless they had a blowtorch, the cover wasn't opening.

Luca tapped a paw on the book. "Any volunteers?"

"I can use a claw," Taehyung said, shrugging.

Jungkook rested a hand on his side. Amelia tensed as he said, "I have my sword."

Grey let Amelia hold her hand as the others dove into conversation. Jimin was the first to snatch the book and use both hands to pry the cover open. When his hands grew sweaty, he handed it to Yoongi, who glared at it and decided to hand it off to Namjoon. The leader grazed a finger over the solid gold and shook his head.

"Do we have any fire?" Jimin asked. "Maybe we can melt it."

Amelia craned her neck back. Grey wondered how much she was holding back.

Taehyung shook his head. "Nothing we have here would be hot enough."

"Jin used to be a blacksmith, remember? Maybe he'd know what to do," said Jungkook.

"Three problems with that," Hoseok piped, "That was in 1786. He's had a million jobs since then. He would kill us if we tried to set this place on fire. Also, he's still asleep."

Amelia hissed in Grey's ear, "1786?"

Grey casually shrugged. "Immortals."

Vanity turned her pretty head to Grey, who felt the gesture as soon as it happened. Amelia's nails dug into Grey's palm. She tried to stay calm for both of them. 

"Grey," the Queen said. "After what we learned in the cemetery, why don't you give it a try?"

The angels swiveled in their seats to examine her. Namjoon sidestepped the table and handed her the book. Noticing Amelia's eyes on the cover, he kept his voice low and said, "Please, don't touch it."

She narrowed her eyes onto the Intellect, her lips bending into a scowl. "I wasn't planning on it."

Joon handled it well, sinking back into where he had been originally positioned without so much as a reaction. Grey ignored the exchange entirely. For the book's size, it's weight was hollow. Like she held a balloon or a box. However, the golden curlicues surrounding the leather unfurled and retracted, slithering towards the binding. The pages were still melded together, but the design had changed. Rather than a lost storybook, it resembled a true diary.

"So it's true," Taehyung said. "She can hold it."

Luca meowed. "It remains closed. Why is that?"

"We need to draw blood," Vanity said. Grey cut her eyes at the Queen. "Purity is not found in the skin. It's found on what's inside."

"Would you mind doing that?" Jimin asked. Grey's heart fluttered. Why did he look so innocent while asking such a question?

Amelia rubbed her temples, the stress rippling off her body like a snake shedding skin.

"It doesn't hurt to try," Grey said. Amelia slapped her forehead. Grey pretended not to hear it.

Yoongi began to pull a sheathed dagger from his pocket. "I'll do it."

"No," Grey blurted. "I've got it." She put the book beneath her underarm and fished Namjoon's knife from her waist. She held out her hand. The blade's tip pressed into the pad of her thumb. A red droplet, thick and bright, swelled atop the puncture wound. She smudged it against the gold.

Under her touch, solid metal disintegrated to the feel of thin pages. She flicked through the metal, watching as it dissolved like putty and separated into small cutlets. Placing it on the table with the cover opened, she licked her finger clean. 

Luca glanced at it, her fast tail sticking rod straight towards the ceiling. "Grey, thank you."

Grey spotted her cat's glossy eyes, her absolute shock at finally having everything she's always wanted. She wished this moment could have been as sweet for her. Crossing her arms, she presented as much joy as she could find. "Read it and weep."

Vanity turned the page for the kitten. The next one was blank. She flipped to another one. That page was blank too. Vanity yanked the book closer and studied several other sections, opening at random intervals. Not an ounce of ink stained the journal.

"That can't be right," Hoseok said, coming behind Vanity and helping her search. The results were still fruitless.

Yoongi swallowed and glanced out the window. Namjoon squatted, covering his eyes with a hand. Jimin leaned forward to look. Jungkook and Taehyung did the same. 

Grey said, "Maybe it needs more--"

"No," Amelia snapped, fearlessly leering at all of the hopeful faces that brightened at the suggestion. "It doesn't need more anything. You gave them what they wanted."

"If she's willing to help, you should let her," Yoongi said, tearing his focus from the window to scowl at Amelia.

Grey's best friend smiled mirthlessly. "You don't think you've used her enough?"

Yoongi said, "Used her?"

"She's cutting herself open for you. I don't see any of you being so generous."

"Well, they can't." Grey cleared her throat, biting her lip. "But I agree."

She refused to look at Yoongi, who'd balled his fists at his sides. But not only Yoongi, everyone at that table. They may have kept her alive, but that was because of a promise. What else could they offer that even came close to matching her sacrifice?

Namjoon said, "Grey has been more than generous, but you must understand we have never had a chance at this before. We've searched for this our entire Fall. You don't know the half of it."

Amelia, the sudden queen of ice and resolve, blinked indifferently. "I don't care. I've seen her break on your behalf. I've seen what she went through just to keep up with the mess you made. There's no escaping me, and as long as I'm around, I'm not letting you bulldoze her anymore."

Grey placed a hand on her shoulder to calm her. Amelia rested her hand over Grey's.

Luca broke the silence. She gasped, running towards the book.

Writing appeared on the pages, word after word, sentence after sentence. No one could see the hand from which the answers came, but the journal wrote endlessly, tirelessly until the pages were full of illustrations and prose.

Despite the disagreement, they all ran to watch.

Luca read it aloud.

"Brother and Sister, the first piece of me belongs to you as does every piece and every parcel of the world we created."

Vanity giggled. "That's impossible. How does he know it's us?"

"Rowan?" Luca called.

The book scribbled. "I have gone and you have found me. It is I, family. At long last, it is I."

Excited whispers and chatter filtered through the library as the passage continued.

"I fear my strength has dwindled in isolation. My word is not enough. You must gather all of me if we are to continue to speak."

"Yes, yes," Luca said breathlessly, "the sword. We plan on collecting the sword. You must know where it is?"

"The Severed, The Earth, The Eternal. Three empires tearing the sky apart, their weapons raised and light ablaze against darkness that festers at their roots. Shadows lengthen and recede by the position of the sun. Never will they be able to control their fate."

"I am a light to humankind, a light to love, a light that entwines eons of past and present to the current moment. Forever shall I shine the brightest in my darkest day."

The writing stopped.

"Another riddle," Namjoon said.

"But it was him," Luca laughed, stomping on the page, "It was him!"

Taehyung sighed. "You saw what he wrote. If we don't find another piece he'll run out of power." 

"Then we go now!" Hoseok jumped up and down. "Let's do this!"

"Go where?" Yoongi barked. "Without Jin? We're getting ahead of ourselves. Let Joon figure out the riddle."

"Three realms, three empires," Jungkook said, concentrating hard on the table.

"That wasn't the riddle. That was flowery stuff. The light stuff was the riddle," Jimin corrected.

"Whatever we're looking for shines, right?" Hoseok asked.

Taehyung shrugged. "It would logically follow."

"It also tears the sky just like it said in his prayer," Grey said. "Whatever that means."

"It's literal," Vanity said. Her golden eyes peered at the ceiling. "Rowan may speak in tongues, but he mentions what's in plain sight."

"So what could that be?"

Namjoon rambled under his breath like a computer about to overheat. Taking that as a bad sign, the Queen laced her fingers together in her lap. She said, "I traveled the world while Aelith had my body. She especially loved the big cities where she could shop or hunt a celebrity. Following her train of thought, which by default would be similar to Solis', I can only imagine it has something to do with travel. Solis would be an idiot to hide Gatekeeper's parts in only Seoul."

"We need to do this one piece at a time. Let's be patient with it." Grey twirled a loose curl with her finger. Taehyung couldn't stop staring. "A light to humankind. That could mean a thousand things." 

"That sounds like it's a symbol," Jimin said. "A symbol for humankind."

Namjoon swore. He took off his glasses, pacing back and forth. "There are hundreds of symbols for humankind around the globe. But Solis likes to be flashy just like Aelith. He wouldn't drop it in an indigenous village, he'd put it in a place where it could be under surveillance all the time. Where everyone can see it."

"In plain sight," Vanity repeated.

"She stands tall. She shines at night when it's darkest. Her torch points to the clouds. Come as you are, come one come all." Namjoon slammed his hands onto the table. "The Statue of Liberty."

"America?" Taehyung's nose crinkled.

Yoongi rolled his eyes. "Unless you know of a different one I would think it's the one in the United States." 

Hoseok hopped in before it could escalate. "Are you sure, Joon?"

Vanity chuckled. "The description makes complete sense. She's a beacon of hope." 

"When do we leave?" Jimin smiled.

"Whoa, hold your horses," Taehyung said, throwing his hands up. "We should think this through."

Amelia scoffed. "I agree! You can't just rush off like that without a plan." 

"Just try not to cause trouble in our absence," Yoongi said.

"She's going." Namjoon crossed his arms.

The Wraith grimaced. "Why?"

"If Grey would like her to go, we can allow it." Namjoon looked pointedly at Grey. She nodded more for him and the pressure to say yes than for her. It wouldn't be bad having Amelia around. She needed someone to remind her of what she deserved.

"What are we going to do about Jin?" Jungkook asked.

Each angel hesitated. Jimin said, "We should still go. He would want us to go."

"No one's going to watch him?" Grey scowled.

Luca said, "He needs rest, Grey. There are wards around the skyscraper's perimeter. Vanity helped to reinforce them. He is safer here than with us."

She didn't think it was fair. Still, there was nothing she could do. "Okay, but you're forgetting the largest issue of all. King of Demons has the amulet. He's out for everyone's head. When we leave, he's coming to collect."

"Then I wish him luck." Taehyung smirked. "We have his book and his precious general."

"We shouldn't get cocky," Jimin remarked. "We just have to be really careful. Watch our step. Make it look like we never left." 

"I can't believe this," Amelia groaned.

"Now can we decide when we're leaving?" Yoongi inquired.

Hoseok said, "Tonight. It's a long flight."

Both Grey and Amelia shrieked, "Tonight?"

They were ignored. Hoseok whipped his cellphone out of his back pocket. "I'll call an airline. Start packing."

:::

Amelia threw a bundle of shirts into a borrowed duffel. When they wouldn't fit, she took them all out and began to fold them. Their labels sang a sweet siren song as Amelia glanced at each one.

Armani. Chanel. Ralph Lauren.

Even the stupid duffel was Gucci.

When the hell did Grey become so stylish? When did she become so cool and collected? How could she go in that meeting and act like she was part of a family? Why was she glowing?

Well, Amelia knew why Grey glowed. She just didn't know who it came from. 

Why did she have to be so behind?

And who did Yoongi think he was?

Getting herself all worked up again, Amelia balled up a pair of jeans and threw them in the bag.

"You don't have to go if you don't want to," Namjoon said. Amelia startled, just noticing the shadow standing on the carpet at the foot of her bed.

She squeezed her eyes shut tight then opened them as though he might disappear. But he didn't, and he looked amused. "You don't knock now?" 

"You come to meetings now?"

She huffed, putting her hands on her hips. "I'm here for Grey. Convince yourself of that, please."

He cocked his head. "I thought that's why you were here. Has that reason changed?"

"Namjoon, you're so funny I forget that my life's ending." She collapsed at the side of her bed, hiding her face in her knees. She shuddered all over, sobs leaving her body in fits. And it made her even angrier that he was watching her cry. She whimpered and sniffled. "What is happening? I'm so confused."

A cold hand laid on her knee. She inhaled a sharp breath, bloodshot eyes finding Namjoon's. He leaned over to study her face. He felt like snow, and she couldn't make sense of it. She grasped only what she knew, which was that he was an angel and she was the complete opposite. Even so, his touch was not intrusive. Neither was his expression. It was open and kind.

"Come with me to the airport. I'll answer the rest of your questions."

She nodded slowly, his ice chilling her veins.

:::

Jin slept like a child. Such peace and tranquility rested over his chambers that it was hard for even Grey to worry as she stared from his threshold. He was so beautiful when his eyes were closed. Perhaps even his dreams were that lovely.

"Hey."

Grey searched for the familiar voice. Jungkook trudged through the other end of the hallway towards Jin's doorway. She moved aside so that they could share the window. The bodyguard breathed heavily. Bandages wrapped around his torso and shoulder. Healing scratches scarred his chest. He was not wearing a shirt, and she felt no warmth as they stood close.

"Do you know when he'll wake up?" She asked.

He shook his head. "I watch over him too."

That warmed her heart. He was a bodyguard even when Jin slept.

"Jungkook," she said, scooting from the doorway into the hall, "I'm sorry I haven't checked up on you."

"Jin's worrying me too, and there's nothing for you to be sorry for. I just took more damage than I thought."

"I need to be more attentive," she confessed. "And I need to thank you. Jungkook, you saved my life. You took me out of that cage."

He smiled a bit. "I told you I'd find you. I'll always find you."

A flashback slammed into her as she gazed at his lips. There she was amidst a Midsummer Night's Ball where he was this close. He had made her laugh. She had fixed his tie. Their lips were inches apart. This was different, but the same electricity lingered. She was drawn to this sweet, sweet boy that she started with. Jin, Jungkook, and Grey. The first trio.

Yet, it was only him. The noble, fierce warrior that split a demon apart to keep her from Death's grip.

A misguided soul, but a reflection.

"Jungkook, I should have done this a long time ago," she said, grinning.

He chuckled, already aware. "Done what?"

"Too much talk, not enough pack! Get to it! Our flight leaves in two hours!" Hoseok clapped his hands at the end of the corridor.

Jungkook rolled his eyes. Grey awkwardly stepped back. But she couldn't let this go. So, she recovered as quickly as she could.

"I just wanted to ask you if you'd come to the airport with me."

He still glared at the Raven, but nodded slowly.

"Anything." 

:::

(A/N) Giggling reader,

HAHAHA gotta love Hobi.

Thanks for being patient. Because of the extra time, I got all my work done! <3

I'M FEELING SPOOKY THIS HALLOWEEN SEASON. Hope you are too! You might get a jack-o-lantern sized surprise, but you also might not. Depends on my time management and inclination to be impulsive. Fingers crossed to this thing working.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart, new reader and old. 

Next release: 10/26 (October 26th)

With love,

M