Starlit Bonds

XV

Karina smiled and started to walk away. As she departed, I remained behind in the library, knowing there were still matters I needed to address. Karina had taken a step into the supernatural world, and it was my duty to ensure her journey was as smooth and safe as possible.

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Haerin was going about her day, finding solace in the peaceful ambiance that surrounded the school's courtyard. The rustling leaves and the chatter of students filled the air, making her existence as a student seem almost normal. But as with many things in her life, tranquility was a fleeting state.

"What is it now, Winter?" Haerin sighed, her voice exuding a hint of annoyance as she addressed the vampire. Winter, who had been attempting to make a stealthy entrance, grumbled at the failed attempt before elegantly descending from a tree, landing on the ground with a graceful agility.

"I have something to reveal," Winter announced, her tone indicating that this wasn't a trivial matter. Haerin crossed her arms, her vampire companion's sudden appearance rarely boding well for her peace of mind.

"Say it," Haerin urged, preparing herself for whatever revelation Winter was about to disclose.

Winter grinned slightly, her demeanor maintaining an air of mystery. "I may have done something, involving both of our mates," she admitted, her words hanging in the air, pregnant with implications.

Haerin maintained her composure, allowing Winter to elaborate, albeit with a growing sense of unease as she listened to the narrative. As Winter spoke, Haerin's anger slowly swelled. Then, a specific sentence uttered by Winter took Haerin aback, making her eyes widen with alarm.

"We can merge our dimensions together," Winter's words reverberated in her mind, and Haerin's reaction was immediate. She raised her voice, her displeasure evident. "Do you have a death wish?" she exclaimed, her frustration boiling over.

Winter stopped talking, seemingly puzzled. "Well, I'm already dead," she said with a puzzled grin, taking Haerin's question quite literally. Haerin couldn't help but roll her eyes at the dry humor, but she was not swayed by it.

"That's impossible," Haerin asserted firmly, skeptical of what Winter was claiming. Winter, however, reached out and grasped her shoulders, trying to convey the seriousness of her revelation.

"That's the thing, it isn't. I've figured something out," Winter revealed, her gaze steady. Haerin sighed, attempting to find clarity. "Is that what it has to do with your little plan?" she inquired.

Winter nodded, and Haerin squinted, her patience wearing thin. "So, what's that cat going to do, end a few centuries of ongoing war and prejudice?" Haerin asked, her tone unimpressed. Winter seemed to take a peculiar pleasure in unveiling her complicated schemes.

"Oh, that? That was just to distract Minji from the real issue. I just told her that she could help save the world, didn't have to say much more," Winter responded with a smug grin. Haerin couldn't help but grow frustrated.

"We're separate for a reason," she stated firmly, her eyes locking with Winter's. But Winter remained undeterred, her conviction unwavering.

"But we don't have to be, not anymore," Winter argued, her voice laced with determination. The implications of her revelation were profound, hinting at a potential upheaval of their separate existences and realms.

Haerin's eyebrows knitted in a mixture of concern and exasperation. The idea of merging their separate dimensions was not one she had ever entertained seriously. They had been living in their distinct realms for centuries, keeping the fragile balance between their worlds intact.