Blood Bind (Feitan x Reader)

Chapter 22

"This is the worst idea you've ever had and I'm never forgiving you," you said, only half serious, as you stood in line with Mai to enter a gala happening at the museum. "I'm tired and almost got blown up and now I have to perform like I'm some sort of rich asshole who would attend an event like this?"

"That's a big attitude you've got. What's really wrong? Is it the outfit?" Mai said. "Since you're in the business of giving my clothes away, I'm giving you something to wear." Mai looked down at the clothes they'd given you and examined the work they'd done on your hair in the garage before you stole the iridescent sports car you'd tried to take that day with Phinks. The very car that Mai thought they should give to the valet so there was no easy way out. You doubted Phinks would be pleased if you both stole his sports car and then promptly left it in the place you were raiding. And you doubted Feitan would be pleased you disappeared from the property and threw yourself into a massive crowd with him having no idea where you were.

Good thing they weren't present.

"It's the whole situation," you whispered to Mai. "This place is filled with people."

"That's the point," Mai said. "In and out while everyone's distracted. We'll use my Nen on the way out if needed. Then nobody will know what we did until it's too late for them to stop us."

The strain of the bond dug into your chest. Every moment you were further from Feitan, even after you'd hoped you'd never be again. Palms sweating at the thought of not being there if he needed you, you rubbed them on your clothes and rolled the tension out of your neck.

"You do remember I have wanted posters, right," you said with your hand over your mouth in case anyone could read your lips.

"And going to a place like this? No way," Mai said. "You looked like shit in those things. You're a different person here."

You glared at Mai and handed the invitation they'd somehow obtained to the bouncer. It was a fake name, of course, and you realized you didn't remember it when he was checking his list. But it didn't matter because the name checked out and he heralded you both inside.

And they probably shouldn't have with the strange amount of cuts only so much of Mai's provided makeup could cover. But they'd told you to tell anyone who asked that you'd fallen during some extreme sport. And that you could "be anyone you wanted to be" at the event.

Watching Mai walk like they owned the world soothed your nerves. Their pointed heels clicked against the tile and their well-cut suit and sleek hair made them look like they were somebody who was born to be here. You'd misjudged their attire back at the mansion. They were wearing the makings of their outfit – gloves and all. Hopefully being around them would dull you and help them shine. Mai's confidence was what you needed. And that was the confidence of a person who knew they were dangerous. A person meant to be with a Spider.

If Phinks had missed this about Mai, he was a fucking idiot. And good on Mai for showing him.

But damn you hated dropping your guard and letting somebody else tell you what to do. Especially when they had more information and you were left more in the dark than you'd have liked.

But you were here to support Mai and follow their lead – so you needed to let them lead. And they had no problem with that. But the urge to grab control lingered top of mind. You pushed it down. They knew what they were doing.

"Dinner first, which is great because I'm starving. Then, they're hosting dancing, tours, that sort of thing," Mai said, adjusting their gloves and peeking at their phone. "Shalnark's ready for his part when the time comes."

"During the tours?" you said, hoping the comment didn't sound too suspicious.

"Trusting idiots." Mai nodded. "They're taking us right to what we need."