Phoenix in the Moonlight

In front of the two children, she couldn't admit to the contradiction of her decision. She knew that it was dangerous staying there. She needed her freedom and she needed to remain hidden, alone. She might have been powerful, but there were people more powerful than her, who had control over her every move. To survive in the bloodthirsty world, she had to remain alone.

Inadvertently, trouble would arise and over the years she had become an expert at avoiding them, her foresight and analytical skills helped her stay one step ahead. Her father ruled the Eye of God with a tight fist. There were only two rules: his word was law and there had to be absolute secrecy. At the end of the day, all the other rules were only to ensure that those two were never flouted. Their coven was forbidden from revealing themselves to others, purposely or accidentally.

Though she didn't follow all the rules, she was clear about the most important two. She had become quite good at covering her tracks, otherwise, she was extremely careful. But sometimes, just sometimes, some people had to be slaughtered.

Her job required her to adopt different identities, to blend in a large city where she might stay for months.

She had not had a home for a long time, and the thought of coming home to someone waiting for her… it stirred something dark hidden inside her.

No, she didn't need to tell him any other name. This new one suited her well. It was the sound of the first drop of rain hitting the ceiling and the flutter of wind chimes. It suited her character.

Staying for too long would make her careless, and that got one killed. Yes, she was curious about him and the pleasure she felt every time she lay her eyes on him, but she could only distance herself from him. She couldn't read him, and that made him more charming. And dangerous.

But it was not just curiosity. His presence was overpowering; never before had someone been able to control her. Never before had she wanted to completely own a man.

She swore he looked directly towards her. Though impossible, it seemed to be true.

The corner of his lips lifted up slightly and he spoke to himself. She tried to read his lips, but it was too far away. He took another sip from the cup as he scowled. With that, he walked back towards the front of the courtyard.

With a startle, she realized that he was heading out of the courtyard. Suspicious and thoroughly sure that he was heading to the small courtyard he had assigned for her, she fled. Within minutes, she had reached, almost short of breath and flinging her clothes off and pushing them under the bed. She slowly dressed and was about to slide into the bed when his soft voice came from outside the room.

"Xin'er?" Her eyes softened just a little and she felt a smile pull on her lips despite the rush. She looked down on her disheveled form and sighed. She would just have to pretend that she was tossing on the bed, unable to sleep just like him.

She padded forward, looking back and seeing Mian Mian sleeping peacefully.

She slowly opened the door. His hands were curled, his fingers ready to knock again. He looked at her deeply, his eyes clear.

"When did you wake up, Young Master?" she whispered, looking him over as if she was seeing him after a long time.

"It hasn't been long. Has the little one fallen asleep yet?" he asked, peering over her shoulder.

"Ah, yes. She fell asleep very quickly," she chuckled. "Do you require the same treatment, young master?" She gave him a coy smile.

"Come. Staying up so late is not good for your health." He didn't reply to her little dig. He extended his palm to her, waiting for her to come to him. She looked back to the little girl and then back to him. She slid her palm into his and followed him back.

Their pace was languid and she soon found herself walking by his side and not behind him. His fingers laced through hers and they swung it gently. She felt someone follow them and stiffened for a moment. Perking up her ears, she looked at him from the corner of her eyes.

"Young Master didn't come alone to meet me?" she asked quietly.

He looked at her with a complicated look. 'She noticed,' he thought, and then laughed through his nose.

"What are you exactly, little bird?" he asked, gripping her hand tighter.

"Just that, a little bird with good instincts. When you are small and vulnerable you need to take advantage of your gut feeling."

"Gut feeling," he murmured. "Interesting."

"Is Young Master angry because I pointed it out?" she asked, sounding disappointed. For a second, she thought in retrospect, had she revealed too much of her abilities? In this day and age, especially for a woman from the pleasure house, it was only safe to be aware of the surroundings. Ladies of pleasure were far more cunning and talented than they appeared and this man was not naive enough to underestimate them.

"No, it merely surprised me." He paused. "It pleases me to know that you can protect yourself." He looked straight at her. When he left, she would have to go back to the pleasure house, dancing to the tunes of men. She would need these talents to survive.

"I am merely observant. It doesn't mean I can protect myself," she admitted. She felt his grip tighten further. She looked at their joint hand with a shrewd look. "Young Master, my hands are sweating. Please let me go." Her voice was soft but evident.