Wang's Pov.
I snared and wanted to grab her neck when she stepped out of the room, but I couldn't follow her.
Sorry, the room is spelled; I am the only shifter who can go in and come out. The spell will wear off by midnight. I and Zhan would have been long gone, but until then, enjoy. She laughed as she walked, and we could hear the echoes of her laugh even when we heard the front door creak.
I immediately removed my phone to call Zhan, but there was no service down the mountain.
I will kill her and everyone who harms Zhan. I snared.
I should have known she was lying. God, I will never forgive myself if anything happens to Zhan. The prospect of facing life without Zhan is unimaginable. The memories we have created together, the dreams we have nurtured, and the support we have provided one another are all at stake. The thought of his absence weighs heavily on my soul, threatening to shatter the foundation upon which my life has been built.
I started growling and hitting on the barrier at the door.
Calm down, Wang. Jackson hissed. I'm trying to think.
I didn't listen to him; I continued as my anger rose.
Wang, please stop. I'm trying to think. Liu said as he put his hand on my shoulder.
I can't live without him, brother. I finally let my walls down and cried.
I will make sure nothing happens to him. I promise, Liu said as he hugged me and allowed me to cry on his shoulder.
We all stood there until it was midnight, and finally the barrier was done. We rushed out of the cottage only to find our bike's tires torn.
I shifted immediately, and Liu and Jackson followed suit. I ran with all my might, my paws digging the earth beneath it. We were home in 20 minutes and shifted back.
Zhan, I yelled as I ran into the living room. The house was eerily quiet.
I ran to our room, but it was as we left it. There was no sign of Zhan. I ran back into the living room.
No one is here. Liu hissed. I pulled out my phone and called Zhan, but it was switched off. Liu quickly dialed Meng's number, hoping for a response, but Meng's phone was also off. Feeling a sense of urgency, Jackson grabbed his phone and dialed Yu Bin's number, only to get the same result: no answer. We exchanged concerned glances, realizing we could not reach anyone. We were left in uncertainty, unsure of what had happened or where they could be. The room was silent as we pondered our next move.
I called Cheng. His phone rang, but he didn't pick up. I was lost; I didn't know what to do. A feeling of uncertainty and helplessness washed over me as I stood there, clutching the phone in my hand. It was a moment of vulnerability.
Thoughts raced through my mind, trying to make sense of the situation. Questions swirled, but no answers came. I was left confused.
In that moment, I felt a mix of emotions. Frustration, disappointment, and sadness. As time passed, I realized I needed to find my own way. I couldn't let this setback define my actions or dictate my next steps. I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts and summoning strength.
Brother, can you please call Hemfire?
I already did. I need to go somewhere. I don't know how long I'll be gone, but promise me you'll be safe. Liu raises his eyebrows.
"I will come with you."
No, you need to stay here if Zhan comes home.
Brother, I had just started speaking when he abruptly interrupted me, stopping me from finishing my sentence. It was a frustrating experience that left me feeling unheard and disregarded.
"Please stay." Liu's voice was soft as he pleaded with me. "I will be back, I promise." His words were filled with sincerity and desperation. It was evident that he needed me to stay.
"Please take care of him until I get back," Liu requested, looking at Jackson with gratitude and concern.
Jackson nodded in understanding as Liu walked out of the house. Seeing him leave, I felt a strong urge to follow him. However, I knew I had to stay and search for Zhan. My determination to find out who the mysterious woman was was unwavering. I was certain that once I uncovered her identity, she would regret ever crossing paths with me.
Let's go and see your witch, Jackson.As soon as I spoke with him, he got up.
The dingy place looked eerie, with dark clouds hovering over the sky and distant howling echoing around the area. The smell of burning incense and the sight of strange symbols carved into the walls.
She was fair-skinned, with bright blue eyes and long, dark hair. It was said that she was part of the Water Witches, a group of ancient witches who controlled the weather and manipulated the elements. She wore a long blue dress and a shell necklace around her neck, and her hands were decorated with corals and pearls.
Jackson looked at Yue, smiling as she embraced him. "It's been so long since I last saw you," she said. Her voice was warm. Her eyes shifted to me, standing beside him. Curiosity sparkled in her gaze as she asked, "And who is this handsome man you've brought with you?"
Jackson chuckled as he relaxed on the couch. "This is Wang Yibo," he said proudly. "He's my best friend."
Yue smiled at the both of us and said, "Wang, as in the hybrid?" Her eyes twinkled with interest as she continued, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Yibo. Jackson has told me so much about you."
Nice to meet you too, Yue." I forced a smile in response to her friendly greeting.
"To what do I owe this visit?" she asked, gesturing for me to sit beside Jackson.
Taking a seat on the edge of the couch, I replied, "I need a locator spell to find my boyfriend and my friends." The urgency in my voice couldn't be concealed. It was evident that I was desperate to locate them.
Yue's expression turned serious as she considered my request. She was renowned for her expertise in the mystical arts, and I hoped she could help me in my time of need. The room fell into contemplative silence.
After a few moments, she spoke with a determined tone, "Finding someone through magic is not easy. It requires a delicate balance of energy and careful incantations. However, if you're willing to put your trust in me, I will do my best to assist you, but at a price."
Jackson mind-linked me and said, "Why don't you ask her what she wants before you agree?"
I smiled and replied, "No, she can't be worse than Hemfire."
Anything you want, I replied quickly. Jackson coughed and looked at her.
"All right," Yue said, rising from her seat. "Follow me then." She walked toward the door, expecting us to follow. We quickly followed him.
We entered a room brimming with mystique. The shelves were lined with ancient tomes and peculiar trinkets, each whispering tales of enchanted origins.
In the center of the room, she reached into her satchel and retrieved a pendulum, its crystal glimmering with ethereal light. Alongside it, she produced a bowl filled with shimmering water, a magical map swirling within its depths.
Without hesitation, I placed Meng's hairbrush into the bowl, knowing that Zhan's presence would remain elusive and untraceable. It was a small act.
With a few deft movements and an incantation spoken softly under her breath, she manipulated the mystical energies surrounding us. The water in the bowl rippled and shimmered, revealing a location on its surface. However, instead of the familiar landmarks we expected, the location appeared to us in a mesmerizing array of intricate symbols.
Yue smiled with satisfaction as she examined the symbols in the bowl. "I found them," she proclaimed with a triumphant smile. Her voice was calm and confident. She pointed to the bowl symbols, which formed a map. "These symbols mark the location of where they are."
The tension in the room was palpable, as I couldn't contain my impatience any longer. "Where are they?" I asked, my voice tinged with desperation. My heart swelled with a mix of emotions upon seeing Zhan again.
With a calm smile, she responded, "Not too soon, dear." Her delicate fingers gracefully moved across the symbols, clearing them as she placed them back in their designated spots. There was a sense of purpose in her actions, as if she held the key to the answers I sought.
"Yeah, right," I muttered, trying to regain my composure. "I almost forgot. What do you want?"
A mischievous glint danced in her eyes as she leaned closer. "Spend the night with me," she whispered, her voice laced with a hint of seduction. "And by morning, I will give you the location."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The anger bubbled up inside me, causing the room to shake with my growl. "What? Are you crazy?" I exclaimed, unable to hide my frustration.
A sly smirk played on her lips as she maintained her composure. "That's the only price I collect," she replied, her tone unwavering. "I have money and all sorts of magical things, but sex is the only thing I need. I will give you some time to think about it." With that, she turned and left the room, her presence lingering in the air.
As I stood there, contemplating her proposition, I couldn't help but feel torn. The desire for answers warred with the reluctance to give in to her demands. It was a difficult decision to make, one that would shape the course of my journey.