Suho supposed it had been too much to hope for a completely uninterrupted night. He was, after all, the alpha of the Legends, who were currently at war with Evil. Hoping for a quiet night was downright foolish.

Sighing, he slowly detangled himself from Angel’s embrace, smiling when she grumbled at the loss of heat before snuggling deeper into the covers. Leaning down, he pecked her cheek and slipped out, throwing on his pajamas before heading out to see what couldn’t wait until morning.

He was pleasantly surprised to find almost all the Legends gathered in the living room, dare he say, amicably. Chanyeol was leaning back against the living room couch, smiling a little idiotically and thoroughly ignoring Baekhyun’s commentary. Kris was seated further away, nodding his head to whatever Tao was rapidly saying and Lay was leaning into his side. Sehun and Kai were bickering over some game and while D.O hummed, bustling around the kitchen. Suho assumed his date had gone well.  

Most surprising, however, was Xiumin. It was difficult to get ahold of the guy even for their regular meet-ups, so to have him approach them of his own accord, it had to be something serious.

‘So…’ he began, then Chen’s absence registered. ‘Where’s Chen?’

‘Look who’s finally decided to come out of his love nest!’

Of course, he probably should’ve expected the ragging as well as the complete disregard of his question. He took a deep breath, trying to prepare himself for the incoming onslaught of double entendre and dirty jokes that were no doubt coming his way but Xiumin stalled the naughty Legends with one icy glance. ‘We have a situation.’

Rather grateful to his Shadow, Suho nodded at him to continue, pulling out a chair for himself.

‘Lily called me…’ Xiumin began. He explained everything Lily had told him about her sister, Rose, and informed them about his own observations about being followed. And the call he’d gotten the other night. ‘I asked D.O to trace the number for me and its registered to Leo’s name.’

‘What are the odds, huh?’ Baekhyun shook his head.

He continued with the details and D.O added his own two-bits about the medical report he’d managed to get his hands on, about the guy who’d been attacked by a female… and yet died of infection from the Abyss.

This was the first time the rest of the Legends learned about the Abby who’d attacked Tao and Raina at the university – ‘How come you didn’t tell me?’ Sehun pouted at Tao – and all the details matched up to create a rather disturbing picture.

They were silent for a while afterwards, digesting the information.

‘So…’ Suho looked around the group. ‘What now?’

‘Lily suggested we bring her with us.’ Xiumin said. There was immediate commotion as everyone started citing their arguments.

‘The mates are here, how can you even let…’

‘What if she attacks one of them?’

Suho rubbed his forehead, feeling the stress he’d managed to get rid of starting to build up again. Xiumin spoke up over them. ‘I agree with her though – she’s completely unchecked right now and who knows what else she might end up doing. Not to mention, Leo is in constant danger the longer he stays with her.’

He had a valid point too. Dragging civilians in a war that had nothing to do with them was worse than having a potential Abby living in their midst.  

‘How about we keep her at my place?’ Xiumin had obviously given the matter some thought already. His suggestion made them fall quiet.

The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Xiumin was capable enough to handle himself should the girl try to attack him; he was one of their strongest fighters. None of the mates would be under any threat this way and they might be able to figure out what Evil was playing at, dragging Xiumin’s sister into this.

‘Will you be alright, though?’ Though most of them didn’t know what had happened to Xiumin, everyone knew it had to do with his sister. He nodded, face grim. ‘I have to be.’

‘So when…?’

‘Tonight.’ Xiumin’s tone brooked no argument. ‘I promised Lily I’d make sure her family was safe.’

‘Have you talked with her brother? Or Rose?’

Xiumin shook his head. ‘Lily said she’d talk to them herself.’

‘That works too, I suppose.’ Suho nodded. ‘Anything else?’

‘Not really.’

Thanking his lucky stars, he stood up and stretched. ‘You should take someone with you though,’ he suggested to his Shadow, who rolled his eyes but nodded anyway. ‘I’ll take Chen.’

Speaking of. ‘Where is he?’

The Legends looked around as if noticing his absence for the first time. ‘Uh…’

‘I swear he was with us when we came back…’

‘Oh I remember!’ Baekhyun exclaimed suddenly. ‘He ran out to get some snacks before his shift tonight. We’re running low on our rations.’

D.O rolled his eyes, muttering something about them being too old for junk food and Baekhyun stuck his tongue out maturely.  Kai excused himself, telling them he was getting food Mei and Luhan; the other Legends started scattering, preparing to leave for their duties or downtime.

Suho took the chance and was sneaking away quietly when a hand landed on his shoulder, making him wince. He’d hoped to get away.

‘So…’ Baekhyun waggled his brows, voice filled with glee and Suho prayed he’d make it out alive.

……………………………………

It had been a good day, what with all of them getting the chance to go out and enjoy themselves, relax in a way they hadn’t been able to for some time. It was a well-deserved break and it had gone well.

So it was weird that he was feeling this way. Like there was a stone in the pit of his stomach, making him feel uncomfortable, on the edge – as if waiting for something to go wrong.

Had he been anyone else, Lay would’ve attributed the feeling on the over-indulgence on junk food he’d done on his carnival trip. What could he say, he was a er for street food. But being both the healer and the seer for his pack made him exceptionally sensitive to the slightest danger to them.

So, try as he might, he couldn’t relax himself; not even when Chanyeol didn’t go stomping away at the sight of Kris, too happy after his date with Nara to be upset. Baekhyun, his unexpectedly perceptive Shadow, picked on his mood immediately and set about the task of cheering him up.

He smiled obligingly, always a little charmed by the endlessly sunny disposition his Shadow possessed. He laughed a little at Baekhyun’s silly commentary over Chanyeol’s love-struck expression, shaking his head at his silliness.

It was a good day. All of his brothers were gathered together and things were beginning to go in the right direction. Suho had finally consummated his marriage –  and no, he didn’t need the light shower to know that. D.O had finally taken Kyra on what had to be their first official date. The rest had a great time as well and even Luhan was back so Mei was obviously happy too.

It made no sense to feel like this.

He desperately tried to look beyond the present, to push aside the veil, peek into the future and know. Yet, he saw nothing. Nothing at all. There was just white noise, like when the radio signals were messed up, drowning out everything else.

He didn’t know if this meant anything. It had only happened once before, when he’d come home with Luhan. At that time, he’d experienced this same whiteout.

He couldn’t even discard it as a matter of no import because if it wasn’t, then why was it happening in the first place? It felt as if there was a vision but somehow, something had messed it up.

The only thing he could deduce was that there was an unusual element in there. Something that was beyond his ability… which got him nowhere because he could See the Legends, their human mates and Evil. What could it be to be beyond – not to brag but it was true – even his abilities?

Perhaps he should ask Kyra if she had had any visions. Maybe his connection with the Legends was blocking him some way? Or perhaps he hadn’t completely gotten rid of Evil’s darkness inside him and it was somehow interfering with his abilities?

He was so lost in his thoughts; he didn’t even realize when the meeting was adjourned. His mind was preoccupied with that uncomfortable gut feeling and it was telling him to…

‘Stop!’ he called, making Xiumin and D.O – the two who’d just started making their way out – stop in their tracks.  

‘What…?’ The Legends recognized the glazed look in his eyes, waiting for him to continue. He frowned, nothing else coming to him.

‘Ya…’ Baekhyun abandoned his teasing, hurrying over to his side. ‘What is it?’

Lay blinked, his frown deepening as a frustrated sound left him. ‘I don’t know!’

Xiumin sighed, feeling impatient. ‘Look-‘ he began.

‘We need to hurry!’

The sentence came from two mouths: Lay’s, the Legend still frowning, still with the glazed look in his eyes and Kai’s, who’d just teleported inside, making Tao jump in fear. He looked tense, already reaching out for Tao and dragging him up. ‘Something’s attacked Mei…’

He reached for Lay’s hand but to everyone’s surprise, the healer nimbly stepped out of reach. ‘No…’ He shook his head, eyes fixed on some spot in the air. ‘Take someone else, they won’t need me…’

Kai didn’t need to be told twice. He grabbed Suho, teleported to grab D.O and Kris before vanishing in a gust of black smoke.

The healer turned towards Xiumin, his eyes coming into sharp focus. ‘Let’s go.’

Not waiting for his response, Lay headed outside. Although a little taken aback, Xiumin knew better than to disregard the urgency in his voice and followed him out.

………………………………..

They’d had an amicable dinner and they sat in front of the small TV, watching a cartoon show that Star had gotten stuck on. Leo was beside her, absentmindedly her head as she allowed her thoughts to drift away.

The jarring sound of the bell effectively ruined the atmosphere, making Leo tense at her side.

‘Stay,’ he told her when she made a move to get up. ‘I’ll get it.’

Nodding, she sat back. She heard the door open, then heard a somewhat familiar voice that made her tense as well. It was Leo’s police buddy, Hongbin. She tried to ignore them, to focus back on the cartoons but their hushed whispers kept distracting her. She couldn’t help but think they were talking about her.

Hongbin had been dropping by more frequently and Rose was sure he was suspicious of her because he’d grilled Leo in detail about her.

Her brother, of course, had told him off, telling him to get an official warrant before questioning them. She wondered if the policeman had taken that seriously.

‘I’m telling you, she has nothing to do with that,’ Leo’s voice rose, interrupting her thoughts and she sat up, alert. Inside her, she could feel Star’s tension as well.

Is it the Bad Man?

No, Rose reassured the child, he’s a friend.  

Why is he fighting with Lelo then?

Rose shook her head to silence her, sneaking off the sofa quietly and tip toeing to the door to peek at the entrance.

Leo was standing in the doorway, obviously blocking the way, arms crossed and stance screaming defensiveness. Hongbin didn’t look like his usual amicable self either. He was frowning and had a no-nonsense look in his eyes that told her he meant business.

‘If she had nothing to do with it, then you have nothing to worry about. I’m just going to ask her a few questions…’

‘You said it was ruled out as an animal attack,’ Leo argued, blocking his way even more.

‘New evidence suggests it was a person, a female and your sister is a prime suspect.’

If Hongbin had thought this would make Leo move, he was wrong. ‘Look, she’s had a long day and I don’t know what evidence you have but you obviously need to reconsi-‘

‘Leo,’ he interrupted, ‘you’re my friend and everything but I have a job to do. I’m sorry, I know she’s been having a tough time but perhaps…’

Rose didn’t realize when she moved. One moment she was standing behind the doorway, peeking; the next, she’d straightened and was stepping out from behind it, putting herself in full view.

Her mind was abuzz with a jumble of thoughts – Leo was trying to protect her but his resistance could be considered hindering the law and possibly, harboring a suspect; he could be arrested for such charges. Not to mention, knowing her brother, Leo could – probably would – resort to violence if Hongbin didn’t stop pushing and attacking an officer was even worse.

Before things could get to that point, she figured it would be better if she took matters in her own hands.

‘What’s going on?’ Her voice was that perfect blend of hers and Star’s tone, meaning Star was as much in control as she was. It should be worrisome but she was unconcerned about that at the moment.

‘Rose!’ Both men exclaimed, in entirely different tones. Hongbin sounded somewhat relieved but Leo was panicked, his eyes wide. ‘What are you doing…?’ he called weakly as Hongbin pushed him aside, stepping inside. 

‘Hello Rose. I’m Hongbin, I’m with the police…’ He flashed his id, assuming a professional stance. ‘There are a few questions I’d like to ask you-‘

‘You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to…’ Leo cut off the officer, making him frown.

Leo looked upset, obviously not wanting Hongbin to come near her – though if it was for her safety or his, she didn’t know. She knew that Leo was aware of her strange night-time activities but her brother had done a remarkable job making it seem like he was unaware. His reaction now, though, was very telling.

‘It’s okay, I’ll answer.’ She gave Leo a smile, trying to reassure him that things weren’t so bad.

……………………………….

A/N

Hey :) I hope this chapter makes sense. We went back to the HQs, at the same time as Mei was attacked. All these events are happening around the same time, I hope it made sense.