"Come—what?" Skyler stammered.
Lynn bent her knees, straddling him; moonlight painted diamonds along her collarbones—deadly gorgeous.
She scoffed. "What do you think. Don't play innocent."
Skyler froze.
No more words—she brushed back her hair and leaned in.
"Wait!"
He yelped. Not exactly a prude—he'd watched his share of late?night videos—but this was warp?speed and smelled like a setup.
"What is it?"
"If I've sinned, the law can punish me—no need for… torture."
"High defense stats," Lynn murmured.
Pretty normal reaction if you ask me.
Three hours ago his childhood friend almost crushed his skull; now a near?stranger wanted to pounce—murder vibes, 100%.
"Relax," her voice softened.
"…"
"If you really hate me, picture someone else's face," she said, hand sliding down his chest.
"Maybe… we start as friends?"
Suddenly Lynn paused.
Sweat prickled; he didn't dare breathe.
She climbed off, dressed. "Enough."
Skyler sat up—there, under his pillow, a sleek dagger gleamed.
Lynn flicked a wrist; the knife leapt to her palm, spun, and vanished.
"Were you about to kill me?" he croaked.
"That depended on you."
"If I'd caved to temptation you'd stab me? A test—earn your trust?"
"Wrong. If you'd shown no reaction, you'd be dead." She retied her ponytail.
"Why?"
"Beasts have no real reproductive organs."
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Lightbulb—"You were testing if I'm human!"
"Tonight you met a Wrath?Beast."
"Wrath?Beast?"
"There are many breeds. Wrath is one. They're crafty, perfect mimics. If you want to live, trust no one."
"How do I know you're human?" he shot back.
"Quick learner. Verifying a female's humanity is… messier. Requires going all the way."
"Uh…"
She tossed him a vial. "Fast?healing serum. Use it, destroy it, let no one see."
He studied the blue liquid—looked ordinary enough.
He tucked it under the blanket; questions piled up.
Bang!—the door slammed open.
His sister burst in.
Skyler jolted upright, shirtless. "Wait—it's not what it looks like!"
"What?" She blinked, puzzled.
He glanced back—Lynn gone, only a swaying curtain and moonlight.
She's faster than wind—! he thought.
"So sus," sis eyed him head to toe, grin wicked. "Bro… you weren't doing it, were you?"
"No! I wasn't! Knock next time!"
"Sure thing." She slipped her arm through his. "Big bro, can we make a deal?"
"Shoot."
Out came her phone. "Check this lolita dress—cute, right?"
"Nice… wait, what's your angle?"
"Only 498 yuan! Bargain! Limited?time 198 off!"
"Saving 498 by not buying."
"My birthday's in eleven months! Early gift?"
"I'll die in seventy years—pretend I'm dead already?"
"You don't love me! I'll tell Mom and Dad you were out partying—came back all bloody!"
"Fine!" Panicking, he transferred a few hundred from next month's allowance—peace over pennies.
"Best bro ever—mwah!" She scampered off.
Door shut. Skyler exhaled.
…
Lynn's serum worked; by morning his wounds were mere pink scratches.
After breakfast he headed to school.
Vivian's seat sat empty.
A hollow ache gnawed his chest.
Twelve years of memories—shredded by last night's Beast.
…
By the end of morning self?study the chair remained vacant; whispers bloomed—news had spread.
Running on no sleep, Skyler needed answers from Lynn.
Unexpectedly Lynn strode over, voice loud enough for the class: "Skyler, where's Vivian?"
He blinked—acting again?
"No idea," he said.
"Really? Weren't you two together yesterday?"
"We split up last night and went home."
"She's not answering calls, no texts, skips class." Lynn frowned and stalked off.
First period: math, and the math teacher doubled as homeroom adviser.
He entered, face grave, glasses sliding down.
"Before we begin, I have news."
"Your classmate Vivian Li was… murdered last night."
The room erupted.
"What?!" Lynn shot to her feet.
Skyler, stunned, almost admired her acting chops.
…
He stood too, feigning shock.
"…That's all I know," the teacher sighed.
…
“We're sad and outraged,” he continued.
"Those wishing to pay respects may join me at the mortuary tonight."
"Lynn, Skyler—you two, office, please."
Skyler tensed. "Problem, sir?"
"Police need a few answers."
They filed into the hallway. Making sure no one was around, Skyler hurried after Lynn. "We need to sync our story."
"Story?" She spun, eyes wet and furious.
"About Vivian."
She grabbed his collar. "I knew you were hiding something! Did you kill her?"
"What?" Skyler blinked.
"Drop the act!"
"No act!" she hissed. "Why didn't you walk her home? How did she end up dead? Smells like you."
Brain racing, Skyler saw two options…
"I have no idea what you're talking about." He sidestepped.
"Quit faking! I'll see you interrogated," Lynn barked.
As he opened his mouth, a tall silhouette blocked his path.
Skyler looked up: a uniformed officer, early?thirties, buzz?cut, square?jawed.
"Officer… Huang?"
"We meet again," Officer Huang said, smile chill?free.
The same man who'd "saved" him three nights ago.
Huang patted his shoulder. "Different office for you."
Skyler's stomach sank. Great—classic prisoner's dilemma.
