"Going to Scop Coffee?! Isn't that just a cover name for that SC club?!"
Jessica echoed Halton's words in disbelief. Club? He wanted to take her to a club? No way—Jessica had never set foot in anything that "mature."
"I—I'm not going! That place is dangerous. Why do you even wanna go there? You planning to get some girl pregnant or something?" she shot back, eyeing him suspiciously.
Halton shook his head frantically. "No! No! Do I look like a delinquent? I'm a good kid!"
"Then why drag me to a club?" Jessica pressed.
"Well, um … it was my friend from this afternoon who invited me. But I'm too scared to go alone, so I asked you to come," Halton admitted, beads of sweat popping on his forehead.
All because of that damn Leviathan demon! It whispered in Halton's ear: "If you can't bring her there, what's the point of you living? Your life's purpose is to help us demons. If you can't do that—die."
Terrified, Halton couldn't refuse.
"You could've just said no," Jessica snapped as she started walking away.
"Please … just once." Halton chased after her and dropped to his knees, panic written all over his face. Who wasn't terrified of Sion's wrath? That ever-smiling guy who secretly held so much anger … Halton never thought his life would hinge on a demon's whim.
"Halton! What the heck are you doing?!" Jessica groaned.
"I promise I'll look after you," Halton pleaded again.
Jessica sighed. Seeing him so pathetic made her relent—if what he said was true.
"Fine. But don't breathe a word of this to my family, alright?"
Halton's face lit up with relief as he nodded vigorously.
***
Scop Coffee.
On the outside, it looked like a normal café. Inside, though, was a hidden, upscale club—its name a deliberate ruse to fool the police.
Jessica's first time in a place like this, the pounding music and flashing lights already made her want to bolt. She was about to tell Halton when someone called her name.
"JESSICA!"
She turned to see Sion sitting alone at the bar.
"Go hang with him! I gotta hit the restroom," Halton lied, hoping to slip away unseen.
"Um … okay." Nervous, Jessica walked over to Sion.
"Sit!" he commanded, pulling out the stool next to him. "Want a drink?"
Jessica weakly shook her head.
"Come on! Just one glass." He poured a whiskey … just a sip.
"Cheers?" Sion raised his glass.
Jessica clinked glasses with him and took a small sip—instantly queasy.
After a moment, she managed: "Why did you bring me here?"
"Cause .…" Sion paused, glancing back at the entrance, spotting Winter searching the room. He leaned close and whispered breathily, "I can be with you."
Jessica froze, eyes wide, as Sion stared at her with unmistakable longing.
"Your lips are so sexy," he murmured, tracing her mouth with his finger.
"Don't touch me!" Jessica swatted his hand away.
Sion's gaze flicked to Winter. One … two … three—
Before she could react, Sion cupped Jessica's face and kissed her fiercely. Shocked, Jessica shoved him hard, but he didn't budge.
Winter huffed with hurt in her eyes—tears threatening to spill—and turned and walked out.
As soon as Winter disappeared, Sion freed Jessica's lips.
SLAP!
"You jerk! What was that?!" Jessica slapped him, rubbing her stunned mouth.
"Sorry. Wait here—I'll be right back." Sion darted off after Winter, leaving Jessica humiliated as everyone stared. She fled the club.
***
Out in the hallway, Winter stopped in her tracks as Sion grabbed her wrist.
"Why didn't you tell me you were here?" he asked.
"Why would I? So I could watch you make out with my friend—and my best friend at that!" Winter yanked free, tears in her voice.
Sion gently touched Winter's cheek. "Hey, calm down. You jealous?"
"Don't you dare care about me!" she snapped, trying to pull away. He held her firmly.
"How could I not care? Look. I'm sorry you saw that. But just so you know … your friend was flirting with me first. I'm a normal guy—got swept up in the moment."
"Jessica? Flirting with you?" Winter's voice cracked.
Sion nodded. Winter fell silent.
He pressed her against the wall, closing the gap. Tilting her head, he whispered, "You've hated her from the start, right? You were the one who sent that video from Jessica's account. You're only pretending to be her friend, aren't you?"
Winter's eyes widened. "How did you know?"
"I know everything about you, sweetheart."
"Yeah, that's right. I never liked Jessica. I kept setting her up to fail."
"Keep going. I think your so-called friend really is no good."
Winter gave a shy, guilty smile. "As you command."
Sion's grin widened. He loved it when someone gave in to his persuasion.
In his mind, 'Humans are so weak. Too easy to fool.'
***
The next morning.
"Good morning, Winter," Jessica greeted, spotting her sitting alone at her desk. But Winter didn't answer—she seemed like a stranger.
"Winter, are you okay?" Jessica reached to touch her forehead, but Winter yanked her hand away.
"You're the one who's messed up, Jess!" Winter spat. "Do you think you're so hot, flirting with some guy in a club? Insane!"
Jessica was stunned. She'd never flirted with anyone—so how did Winter know?
"What are you talking about? I didn't flirt with anyone."
"Liars never admit it."
"Who do you think I flirted with?"
"Whatever—forget it." Winter stood. "I knew you weren't and never were innocent. Being friends with you has only caused me pain. From now on, I'm done with you. Got it?!"
Winter stalked off, leaving Jessica reeling with questions. She thought life was calming down—but apparently, there was still someone stirring drama.
***
All day at school, Jessica replayed every moment trying to figure out what she'd done to anger Winter so much. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't find an answer. Jessica didn't want to fight with Winter—this had to be a misunderstanding. Winter was always so cool and unshakeable…
At the bell, a voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Heading home?"
Jessica looked up to see Sion holding a history book. She sighed inwardly, recognizing the tactic—this wasn't just a new kid in class.
"Who are you, really?" she asked, dead serious.
"Sion Kaidan."
"Who's Sion Kaidan?"
Sion grinned and snapped his book shut. "Good question."
"Sion's the leader of Sintria Library's inhabitants," he proclaimed grandly, pointing toward the distant, silent hall.
Jessica let out a desperate breath—she should've seen this coming.
"You friends with that demon?" she asked icily.
"Not friends. We just … share the same kind."
"What do you really want?"
"Just to help you," Sion replied, still smiling sweetly.
"Enough. I'm still traumatized from the last time Ian 'helped' me. Don't try to trick me again! You demons are all the same!" Jessica turned to walk away.
"Even after you learned your best friend's big secret?"
Her steps faltered.
***
That evening, Sion handed Jessica a recording—evidence of Winter's betrayal at the club. He'd recorded Winter admitting she hated Jessica and had orchestrated those schemes.
Jessica's breath caught as she listened to her best friend's voice. Her eyes stung with tears as she stared out the window.
"Why would you do this?" she demanded of Sion.
"Hold on—your friend hated you before she even met me. I only exposed the truth. It's not the sweet demon's fault."
Jessica frowned. "You're a demon. You could've edited that recording."
"Want proof?" Sion shrugged. "But believe me, hearing it straight from her would hurt more." He watched her warily.
Jessica wandered to the fireplace and sat, biting her lip, thinking hard.
"Oh, right. I almost forgot this." Sion slipped a letter from his cardigan pocket and gave it to her.
"I swiped this from Winter when she tried to drop it in your locker." He reminded her of that moment when he'd distracted Winter.
Jessica opened it—blood-scrawled threats chilling her blood. Yet no signature, no proof Winter wrote it.
"Winter's dangerous. I can get rid of her—for you."
"Are you insane?!" Jessica sprang up, furious. "You give me this and expect me to just trust you? No way! I'd rather believe Winter than you!"
"Jess—"
"I SAID ENOUGH!"
She tore the bloody note to shreds and flung it. "Just because you came between us doesn't mean you can destroy our friendship. Winter's not that cheap! This was all your trap. Stay away from her—understand?!"
Sion's smile never faltered. "Understood."
"Watch yourself," Jessica hissed one last time before storming off.
Sion merely watched her retreating back. His soft chuckle echoed in the room.
"I didn't break anything, Jessica. Your friendship fell apart on its own," he mused, shaking his head.
"Haha. I love jealousy."