Rhea leaned closer, enjoying this far too much. "You literally punched steel doors, threatened professors, scared half the city—and you're telling me Eliza Kwong makes you hide people?"
Ling crossed her arms. "Strategic avoidance is not fear."
Rhea grinned. "That's fear with a dictionary."
Ling huffed. "You have no idea."
Rhea tilted her head, mock-innocent. "Then enlighten me. What happens if she sees me at breakfast?"
Ling opened her mouth. Closed it. Then said stiffly, "Nothing."
Rhea waited.
Ling added, "She'll… ask questions."
Rhea raised an eyebrow. "Only questions?"
Ling sighed through her nose. "And judge."
Rhea smiled knowingly. "Ah."
Ling shot her a look. "Stop smiling like that."
Rhea leaned in, lowering her voice. "You're scared she'll take one look at me and decide I don't belong."
Ling's jaw tightened. "That's not—"
"And you'll pretend you don't care," Rhea continued softly, "but you'll care. A lot."
Ling looked away.
That was all the confirmation Rhea needed.
She laughed, light and teasing, nudging Ling's shoulder. "Wow. The mighty Ling Kwong. Afraid of Mommy."
Ling snapped back, defensive. "I am not afraid of her."
Rhea smirked. "Then why are you sweating?"
"I am not sweating."
"You are internally sweating."
Ling groaned. "You're unbearable."
Rhea's grin softened. "Say it."
Ling frowned. "Say what?"
"That you're scared," Rhea said gently, eyes warm but sharp. "Just a little."
Ling stared at her for a long second, then scoffed. "Fine. Maybe she's… intimidating."
Rhea gasped theatrically. "Progress."
Ling pointed at her. "Don't get used to it."
Rhea laughed again, then sobered slightly. "What if she actually sees me?"
Ling's expression changed—less teasing now, more controlled. "Then I'll handle it."
Rhea studied her. "How?"
Ling met her gaze without flinching. "By standing where she can't ignore it."
Rhea's smile faded into something quieter. "Between us?"
Ling nodded once. "Always."
Rhea swallowed, then forced a smirk back onto her face. "Big words for someone hiding girls in her bedroom."
Ling leaned forward, their foreheads almost touching. "I hide you because I want you safe. Not because I'm scared."
Rhea whispered, "You're both."
Ling's mouth twitched despite herself. "Sleep before I actually lock you in here forever."
Rhea laughed softly, resting her head back against Ling's shoulder. "You won't."
Ling wrapped her arms around her again, firm, grounding. "Try me."
They stayed like that, quiet laughter fading into steady breathing, the unspoken reality settling in—
Morning was coming.
And neither of them was ready for Eliza Kwong.
And Morning came wrong.
Too quiet. Too warm. Too dangerous.
Rhea woke first.
She was half-curled against Ling's chest, Ling's arm heavy around her waist, possessive even in sleep. Ling's face was turned toward her, lashes resting against sharp cheeks, mouth slightly parted—unguarded in a way Rhea rarely saw.
For a second, Rhea just stared.
So this is how she looks when she isn't controlling the world, Rhea thought.
A wicked smile tugged at her lips.
She leaned up slowly, carefully, like she was stealing something sacred. Her lips brushed Ling's neck—once. Ling stirred but didn't wake.
Rhea kissed again, softer.
Then—deliberately—she pressed her mouth to the same spot and sucked, just enough pressure to bruise skin.
Ling shifted, a low sound leaving her throat.
Rhea pulled back, eyes bright, almost giddy. "Oops," she whispered, biting her lip to stop herself from laughing.
A faint mark was already blooming against Ling's neck.
Rhea giggled quietly. "Good luck explaining that."
She was still admiring her work when—
Knock. Knock.
Rhea froze.
Eliza's voice followed immediately, sharp and cheerful in the most terrifying way.
"Ling, baby. Wake up. Breakfast is ready."
Rhea's eyes went wide.
"Oh. My. God."
She slapped Ling's shoulder lightly but urgently. "Ling—Ling—wake up."
Ling groaned, tightening her hold. "Five minutes."
"LING KWONG," Rhea hissed. "Your mother is at the door."
That did it.
Ling's eyes flew open.
"What?"
Another knock. Louder.
"Ling?"
Ling sat up so fast Rhea nearly rolled off the bed. "What time is it?"
"Too late," Rhea whispered furiously. "She's outside. She's right there."
Ling ran a hand through her hair, still half-asleep. "Why is she—"
Her brain caught up.
Her eyes snapped to Rhea.
Then to the door.
Then back to Rhea.
"…Why are you here?"
Rhea stared at her. "Are you seriously asking me that now?"
Eliza's voice again, amused now. "Ling, don't make me come in."
Ling panicked—actual, real panic. She grabbed Rhea's wrist. "Closet. Now."
Rhea yanked her hand back. "No way. I am not hiding like—"
Ling cut her off, whispering harshly, "Rhea, I swear on my life, if she sees you right now—"
Eliza tried the handle.
Locked.
Ling cursed under her breath. "She never knocks twice."
Rhea's heart was pounding. "What do I do?"
Ling looked at her—really looked—and then her gaze dropped.
Her eyes narrowed.
"…Did you—"
Rhea blinked innocently.
Ling touched her own neck.
Felt it.
Her eyes widened. "You marked me?"
Rhea grinned despite herself. "You're welcome."
"Rhea—"
Eliza's voice sharpened. "Ling Kwong. Open. The. Door."
Ling grabbed Rhea by the shoulders. "Window."
Rhea stared. "Again?!"
Ling nodded. "There's a ledge. You can—"
Rhea hissed, "Your house is a death trap."
Ling leaned in, urgent and low. "Trust me."
Rhea searched her face, then exhaled sharply. "I hate you."
Ling smirked despite the chaos. "No, you don't."
Another hard knock.
Ling shoved Rhea gently toward the window. "Go."
Rhea paused at the sill, then turned back suddenly and grabbed Ling's collar. "If I die—"
Ling interrupted, voice steady despite everything. "You won't."
Rhea's eyes flicked to Ling's neck again. She smirked. "Tell your mom it's a mosquito."
Ling snorted. "Get out."
Rhea climbed out onto the ledge just as Ling crossed the room and opened the door.
Eliza stood there, perfectly composed.
Her eyes immediately went to Ling's face.
Then her neck.
Her gaze sharpened.
"Good morning," Eliza said slowly. "You look… busy."
Ling smiled tightly. "Morning, Mom."
Eliza's eyes lingered on the mark.
Rhea, outside the window, held her breath.
Eliza stepped inside.
And the real danger began.