----


    200. WHO ARE YOU?


    SIGRID


    Ss tensed the moment I got close, his breathing growing


    heavier, and I could hear the rapid hammering of his heart against


    my chest.


    He remained rigid in my grasp as I wrapped my arms around his


    back, my face burying itself in his neck.


    His hair tickled my nose, and that delicious citrus scent clung to


    his skin—like a tree heavy with ripe oranges.


    For some reason, I suddenly craved a juicy orange.


    "Just a few seconds. We’re only pretending, Ss," I whispered,


    slightly worried,


    “Mmm, more... kiss me more..." My embarrassing moans echoed


    in the silence of the street.


    Goddess, I was so grateful for the darkness—I was embarrassing


    myself.


    "Mmm, touch me more there... faster..." I moaned against his neck.


    Any second now, I expected Ss to shove me away, maybe even,


    choke me, but he just stood there, still, tense, enduring my grasp


    and my ridiculous wailing right in his ear.


    Curious footsteps approached.


    I spotted some metal trash bins nearby and kicked them over,


    ----


    making a loud racket as I yed the part of a woman being groped


    ina dark alley—when in reality, I was the one taking advantage of


    poor Ss.


    Before they could step in and realize what a terrible actress I was, I


    took my next step.


    "You stupid ve! How dare you bite me?!"


    I shoved him away abruptly, grabbing my neck in mock outrage. 1


    raised my hand as if to strike him, but my eyes flicked toward the


    shadow blocking the alley entrance.


    "What’s going on here?"


    "Who are you people?! Were you spying on us?!" I cut him off,


    stepping back and pulling my hood tighter, feigning nervousness


    Ss melted further into the darkness.


    “My apologies, mydy," another man appeared —all of them were


    sorcerers... and a vampire.


    "Danger? Is that what they call voyeurism now? Did you enjoy


    listening to me moan, you perverted bastard?!"


    I threw a spell at them, enraged, forcing them to leap back and


    blockit.


    If, after all thismotion, my great-uncle didn’t react, then he


    was either stupid... or deaf.


    I stepped into the open street, summoning a magical whip and


    lashing out wildly, buying myself time as they scrambled to dodge


    my attacks, sputtering apologies.