CHAPTER 14: 'STUPID TOR'
IK's rage boiled over as he lunged, hand outstretched to seize Jin's head. His face twisted, eyes wild with fury at being looked down upon by a child.
But before his fingers could close, Roy; Ana's head guard was already there. He caught IK's wrist in a vice-like grip, his calm expression unshaken.
"I do not recall the young lady inviting you to her table or permitting you to touch her guest. I advise you to leave before you are thrown out," Roy said evenly, his aura pressing down, suppressing IK's fourth-step power.
"Roy, let go of my hand. Are you trying to start something?" IK snarled, though hesitation flickered in his eyes. He knew that if he attacked here, humiliation at the Pavilion's hands would follow.
"I am merely doing my duty: protecting the young lady and her guests." Roy's gaze dared IK to test him.
"Che. I was merely here to make sure the 'young lady' doesn't get hurt in tomorrow's attack." IK flashed a sinister smile, pulling away and stalking off.
"Is that a threat?" Taka asked sharply, but IK didn't turn back. His silence spoke louder than words.
Jin snorted. "What a drama queen."
Laughter rippled across the VIP floor. Even patrons from other sections chuckled. IK, halfway back to his table, heard it with his sharp hearing. His face darkened.
"That little bitch… I'll turn her into my slave. I'll make sure she licks my toilet clean," he muttered. His companions scowled in agreement.
Tor and Jin, their hearing sharper still, caught every word. They laughed again. Ana and Taka exchanged baffled looks.
Later that night, Lightning Delights
"Hey, Tor, Jin do you have a place to stay tonight? If not, why don't you stay here at the Delight? We offer lots of services…" Ana teased, her playful glance landing squarely on Tor. *Wink wink.*
"Miss Ana, please don't taint the young master with those kinds of thoughts. We will find a place to stay that is not the 'Delights.'" Jin snapped, her anger flaring as she nearly stormed off.
"It was a joke." Ana laughed, raising her hands. "But you're cute when you're mad, Jin. And Tor is your 'young master'? Who would have thought?"
"Miss Ana, please do not joke about things like that. Tor is only ten years old," Jin replied firmly.
"Yes, yes, I'm sorry. Don't go. I'll even set you up in a room with Tor so you can keep a hawk's eye on him." Ana giggled.
Jin hesitated, glancing at Tor. He seemed unbothered.
"Okay… but only because you said the night is dangerous and I have to protect Tor," she conceded.
"Yes, yes. We don't want those 'Delights' creeping into his sheets at night when he has you." Ana teased again, laughing.
"You're misunderstanding my..." Jin tried to explain, but Ana and Taka continued their playful banter.
"You're so direct, Jin. I wish I had your courage at your age." Ana stepped closer, her tone warm.
Jin turned to Tor for support, but he was chuckling too.
"Young master, you understand, don't you?" she asked, embarrassed.
"Hohoho. Perfectly." Tor replied in his signature sarcasm. Jin groaned, defeated.
Ana's tone shifted as they walked toward the lobby.
"Seriously now, the raid happens in the early hours of the morning, when people are unaware. The beasts come and tear the village apart. It happens once every five years. That's why we were worried when you two appeared today, the designated day."
"You said *designated days*, like the attacks are coordinated," Jin said sceptically.
"Yes. That's what we believe." Ana explained. "The Pavilion built a branch here three years ago. Investigations found nothing strange. Thanks to the Spatial Fortress, grandmaster beasts are the strongest here. But we suspect something more powerful is coordinating them. That's why so many strong people are gathered in this small village."
"To be honest, business is good at the Delight because of it." Taka added. "But it's still dangerous. We'll protect you two."
Ana picked out two keys to rooms directly opposite each other, easy to reach in case of emergency.
At the doors, she smiled. "Goodnight, Tor. Goodnight, Jin. And Jin try not to make too much noise. Some of us need sleep." She giggled, teasing one last time before leaving.
"I've told you it's not like that. You're the one I should be telling that to. I know what Taka's been planning all day," Jin countered, teasing back as she followed Tor into their room.
The room was plush, air-conditioned, dimly lit. A king-sized bed dominated the space. Tor flopped onto it with a sigh.
"I'll sleep on the couch, young master. Have a good night's rest," Jin said respectfully, laying bedding on the chair.
"Oh really? Didn't you used to sleep in my bed even when you had yours?" Tor teased, recalling their younger days.
"That was when I was ten, young master." Jin replied, cheeks puffed.
"And now you're thirteen, so you're grown? Hohoho. Or are you scared you'll attack me in my sleep?" Tor continued, smirking.
"It's because I thought the bed was too small, so you'd prefer to sleep alone," Jin murmured, her voice soft, meant only for him.
"Fine. Sleep where you want. I'm not complaining." Tor said, turning off the lights, lying with his back to her.
As he drifted toward sleep, he felt the bed shift. Jin slipped in quietly, her back pressing against his.
"Stupid Tor," she whispered, shutting her eyes.
Tor chuckled softly in the dark.