After Hyunseong made sure Emma was safely and comfortably tucked in bed, he closed to door to his room and went to join the rest of his pack in the living room. A suffocating atmosphere settled among them. Everyone’s eyes focused on him, expectant.

            “Hyung,” Youngmin began, “who is she?”

            Though Hyunseong’s body was completely healed and he felt better than he had ever felt in months, he was exhausted. He noted the chill of the room, the lack of fire in the fire place. The cold never really bothered any of them, not with their naturally high body temperatures, but Donghyun had always insisted on keeping up with appearances. He tossed a log into the already messy pile; the rough collision ignited a fire that quickly warmed the room. Hyunseong stared at the flames, his mind racing with a million thoughts while still remaining blank.

            “Hyung,” Minwoo called. “Who is she?”

            Sighing Hyunseong turned to face his younger brothers. Youngmin’s eyes were still damp with tears. Kwangmin’s hands shook restlessly. Minwoo’s brows were drawn together tightly in worry. Jeongmin’s usually pleasant, prettily handsome face scrunched up in a fierce frown. Hyunseong looked at each in turn then lowered himself onto the sofa, forgetting how uncomfortable it had once been.

            “She’s not a witch.”

            Jeongmin growled. “Then what is she?”

            Hyunseong felt the word run up his throat before gluing his tongue to the roof of his mouth. He swallowed hard, but it wasn’t until he swore to himself that he would not reveal her identity that he was able to speak once again.

            “She’s not a witch.”

            Jeongmin kicked an ottoman over, startling the twins. Minwoo regarded the two with careful, calculating eyes. He sat beside Hyunseong, feeling how helpless Hyunseong’s posture had become.

            “Hyung, if she’s not a witch, how can she use magic?”

            Hyunseong struggled against the oath that bound him into silence. He looked at Minwoo pleadingly, willing him to understand that he could not reveal anything to them despite how much he wanted to.

            “Because she’s a witch!” Jeongmin said.

            Hyunseong jumped to his feet. “If she was a witch, we would all be dead by now!”

            Minwoo blinked rapidly, placing both hands around Hyunseong’s forearm, he coaxed him back into seating. He shot Jeongmin a warning look as he attempted to find a way to figure out what Hyunseong knew.

            “Hyung,” Minwoo tried again, “do you trust her?”

            “With my life,” Hyunseong replied.

            “Do you know her? Personally?”

            “Yes.”

            “Is she your older sister?”

            “No.”

            “But she’s someone close? A noona?”

            “Yes.”

            Minwoo nodded, understanding. “Are you under a spell, one to keep you silent?”

            “Not a spell,” Hyun