She had been kissed and confessed to in front of everyone.
Lin Shu didn’t know how to react for a moment. Hati was indeed very sincere toward her, but…
“Hati, I…” Lin Shu’s face flushed as she waved her hands frantically.
“Lin Shu, you don’t need to be in a hurry to answer me.” Hati smiled, her eyes sparkling. “I know your identity is unusual. You have a longer road to travel. I just wanted to express my feelings. I’m willing to stay by your side forever—”
Unexpectedly, Hati didn’t press for an answer. It was as if the act of liking her was enough in itself.
The crowd was still noisy, everyone cheering and heckling.
Hati took Lin Shu’s hand and pushed through the crowd to lead her out. “Alright, alright, everyone make way. I know you’re all excited, but calm down for a bit.”
Angela walked toward them, looking satisfied. “Well? Are you used to the Sacred Race’s way of fighting yet?”
Lin Shu nodded. “It fits the image of delivering all living beings perfectly.”
Of course, she meant physical deliverance.
Angela flapped her wings twice with pride, then suddenly cleared her throat and said seriously, “I need to discuss the upcoming itinerary with Hati. Lin Shu, you go back and rest first. We’ll be right outside—”
Hati escorted her back to the wooden cabin.
A small figure peeked out from behind the door.
Ani walked timidly toward Lin Shu. “W-Welcome back, Sister Lin Shu. I heard about your victory. Thank you so much!”
Lin Shu noticed a badge pinned to her chest. It was the Spiritual Tower badge that her sister, Asha, had once entrusted to her. It seemed the village chief had successfully handed it over.
Seeing that her spirits were much better than before they had departed, Lin Shu couldn’t help but ask, “Are you doing okay, Ani?”
“Yes!” she replied softly. “After you left, Sister Sophia invited me here. She told me a lot. She encouraged me and told me not to give up on myself. My sister left this for me because she wanted me to keep moving forward. It’s a new direction.” Ani tried her best to recall and repeat the words she had etched into her heart.
“Sophia?”
“Yes, she is also a very kind sister.”
Ani stood on her tiptoes and glanced at the angels behind them. Several angel nuns were guarding the small wooden cabin. They maintained expressionless faces, occasionally glancing over at Lin Shu.
Ani whispered, “Sister Lin Shu, if you… if you go to the center of the Sacred Race’s kingdom, can you take me with you?” A flash of anxiety crossed her clear eyes. “I—I want to see the place where my sister used to go to school.”
Lin Shu rubbed Ani’s head. “I’ll discuss it with Hati, but they are the ones who make the decisions. I’m also just someone being carried along.”
“I see…” Hearing this, Ani lowered her head in disappointment.
“Oh, right. Sister Sophia mentions you occasionally. She seems to be looking forward to your return. Do you want to go see her?”
Lin Shu was slightly startled. “I understand.”
—
Lin Shu pushed open the door to the wooden cabin. The interior was empty.
“Sophia?”
Lin Shu called out, but the small house remained silent with no response.
‘Is she not in the room?’ That shouldn’t be right. With so many angels watching outside, her movements should be strictly monitored.
Walking into the bedroom, Lin Shu still saw no one. On Sophia’s bed, the blankets were neatly folded at the headboard.
Just as she was feeling confused, the wardrobe door beside her suddenly swung open. A hand reached out from inside, grabbed Lin Shu’s wrist, and forcibly pulled her in.
*Bang!* The wardrobe door slammed shut.
“?!” Lin Shu’s world spun as she was dragged into the dark space. Her head struck the back panel of the cabinet, making her dizzy.
She instinctively tried to cry out, but a hand suddenly covered her mouth.
“Don’t make a sound. The space here is just right. The white-wings outside can’t see us.”
It was Sophia’s voice.
“Sophia? What are you doing?!”
Lin Shu struggled, but the other woman pressed her body close, their soft chests flattening against each other.
Once her eyes adjusted to the darkness, Lin Shu suddenly realized that Sophia’s aura and tone of voice had completely changed. Before the departure, she had been a submissive, cowardly little flower, but now her gaze had turned cold.
Lin Shu’s neck tightened as Sophia’s hand clamped down.
“You and Hati… when did you two become so close?” Sophia’s questioning voice and her hands were both trembling.
“It hurts…” Lin Shu’s wound pressed against the cabinet, and she groaned through gritted teeth. “Why are you asking this? Who are you, really?”
“Didn’t you already guess last time?” Sophia leaned in, pressing even tighter against Lin Shu. “Little Cutie?”
Hearing that familiar nickname again, Lin Shu’s heart constricted.
As she spoke, Sophia raised her hand and traced a circle on Lin Shu’s cheek with her fingertip. Then, she cupped her own face and gently peeled it away.
The entire face fell off, her hair color fading away with it, revealing the exquisite features underneath.
Lin Shu could barely make a sound. “Sefina…?”
The face before her was a member of the Blood Clan whom Lin Shu knew all too well. Long, purple curly hair cascaded down her back, and blood-red eyes stared intently at Lin Shu. Even though she was wearing a commoner’s plain cloth dress, her extraordinary aura remained.
Countless shocks and questions were lodged in Lin Shu’s throat. She wanted to ask, but she didn’t know where to start.
Sefina’s expression was fragile, as if she would break at the slightest touch.
“You gave up our contract, so you won’t call me Master anymore?” Sefina choked out the question. “Why? Little Cutie? You dissolved the contract yourself and said you were going to the Sacred Race. You just left me and ran away, and now you’re getting so close to that wolf. What about me? What am I to you?”
A single tear fell instantly, landing on Lin Shu’s clothes.
Noticing the bandage wrapped around Lin Shu’s head, Sefina’s hand gently guided her, turning Lin Shu around so she fell into her embrace.
Lin Shu’s back was against Sefina’s soft curves. She was held from behind, nestled in Sefina’s arms.
A familiar scent surrounded Lin Shu, making her snap back to reality. “Wait! Sefina, your scent… Hati will notice it—”
“So you still worry about me.” Sefina’s voice came from beside her ear. “Don’t worry, I prepared for this long ago. I know that wolf has a sensitive sense of smell.”
Lin Shu felt a hot breath against the side of her neck. Sefina was gradually approaching the spot she had bitten before.
“What has she done to you? You even sleep with her…”
She opened her mouth, and fangs pierced Lin Shu’s delicate skin.
“Ugh!”
She was drinking blood. It wasn’t a gentle method, but the sharp pain was mixed with a faint sense of pleasure. Even though Sefina’s enemies were right outside the house, they were here in this small, dark space…
Lin Shu’s heart hammered wildly in her chest.
“Your heartbeat is getting faster. Is it because you’re thinking of her?” Sefina murmured softly. The hand holding Lin Shu moved, sliding up to Lin Shu’s chest. “If I wasn’t here, what else would you two be doing?”
As soon as she finished speaking, Sefina bit deeper.
Lin Shu let out a muffled groan.
“Heh, if that’s the case, I’d rather…” Sefina let out a self-deprecating chuckle, and her other hand slid down Lin Shu’s waist.
Lin Shu felt a chill between her legs as she felt Sefina’s fingertips reach up, gently flicking aside the fabric covering her.
“!!”
A roar of shock exploded in Lin Shu’s head.
She—she actually…
T/L note: Ch 99 missing in original novel hence ch 100 is next.