Jay felt a strange anticipation after the training was over. She focused on that feeling as the world around her started to blur. A whisper reached her ear but she couldn't make out what it was saying. A sensation washed over her. She suddenly felt stronger.

The whisper became louder and she recognized the voice but she couldn't think of where she had heard it. Still, she could not understand the language being spoken even though she could now make out what was being said.

After a few seconds, she finally understood what was being said just before the voice stopped. "Come to me soon. Darkness is starting to spread."

Jon noticed she seemed to have zoned out and left the initiate he had been speaking to. He walked up to her, feeling concerned. When he reached her, her eyes seemed to focus back on what was going on.

"You okay?" Jon asked her gently.

"Yeah," she responded while looking around. There was confusion on her face. "Did no one else hear that?"

"Hear what?"

Upon hearing Jon's response, Jay shook her head and sighed. "Nevermind."

Jon hummed thoughtfully. He had sensed something strange in the air but he had figured it was Jay's powers revealing themselves again briefly. "What did you hear?"

"It was a voice. It told me to go to them. That darkness is starting to spread. I don't understand what that means. I don't know who they are." Jay crossed her arms. "The voice sounded really familiar though. Something is telling me I need to listen to that voice."

"Perhaps it was Hu Feng." Darkness is spreading? Jon thought as he felt dread begin to fill his being. I need to check in with the others. But without that damn book... He placed his hand on her shoulder. "Let's go for a walk. Maybe some relaxation is what you need. You've been training like an addict every day."

Jay just stared at him, a bit of a frown on her face.

"What?"

"You're part of that problem," she said after a moment.

"How?"

"Well, you have me training almost every day with you."

"Hey, now, you're the one training by yourself afterwards," he laughed.

She smiled. "Yeah, true. A walk sounds nice. Let's get changed first."

Jon nodded and they parted ways. They met back up out in the garden. Jon wore a plain black tee and black jeans. Jay wore the same outfit. They realized they were wearing the same and laughed. The two had noticed a while back that they had the same tastes in clothes.

It wasn't unusual to see them wearing similar clothes when they weren't training or working.

Jay enjoyed the cool autumn air as they walked. Winter was closing in and she couldn't wait for the land to be covered in snow.

Jon glanced at her and smiled. Jay felt his gaze and she felt her face heating up as she became hyperaware of Jon. Damn it...Why me? Her thoughts were full of confusion and wanting. She was scared of taking the next step towards a romantic relationship.

They stopped at one of the gazebos and sat next to each other. Jay was still struggling in her mind about what to do with the attraction between them. The prospect of love was scary and unpredictable. She knew all too well that love could easily end up being dangerous.

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

But there were also good sides of love. Jay knew this as well. She had read about the good sides and had seen people online who seemed genuinely happy together. She wanted to experience that kind of love.

The love that she thought she could never have till she accepted Jon's help. Her face felt hot as she finally made a decision.

Jay looked at Jon, who she knew was gazing at her. His eyes were full of affection and curiosity. Her heart was racing in her chest as she tried to figure out how to go about taking this leap of faith. I guess all I have to do is say it? she thought.

"Jon, I," she hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "What do you think of me?"

Jon was surprised by that question. He smiled. "Well, I think you're an amazing woman. You work hard and you never lose focus on what you want for yourself. I admire how you want to get stronger so that no one will ever push you around again."

He watched as her face turned bright red and he chuckled before continuing. "You were completely on edge when we first met. You were scared even when you came here. Yet it didn't stop you from wanting to explore and experience things. I love how you are ready to face things even if you're scared."

Jay was completely surprised to hear him say all those things. She had not expected him to think of her in such a high view.

"I want to see more sides of you," Jon continued softly. "I want to be by your side as you continue to pave your path through life. If you'll allow me to be."

Jay's mind was in chaos but when she looked back into his eyes, she felt a calm disperse her fear just a bit. "I want to be with you," she finally said, her voice somehow staying steady.

Jon's face began to turn red.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jay met Violet when she headed to her room that night. She had just parted ways with Jon after a long time in the garden, enjoying each other's company and having heart to heart talks.

Violet let out a shriek of glee as she jumped on Jay and hugged her tightly. "You two are finally together, yes? I saw you two in the garden."

Jay's face burned as she nodded. Her response made Violet jump around in a circle with excitement. Jay couldn't help but laugh. She hadn't expected her to be so excited about it. Violet hugged her tightly again.

Jay hugged her back, feeling like her body was gonna break from Violet's hug. Violet let her go after a moment. "Let's celebrate!" Violet said with a grin.

Was it really something to celebrate? Jay was thoroughly confused. But before she could say anything, Violet grabbed her hand and dragged her to Jay's room. Once in Jay's room, Violet, still brimming with uncontainable excitement, left to get some wine.

It wasn't long before she returned with two glasses and a bottle of wine. "This is from our vineyard further out in the estate. It's my favorite. I hope you like it too." She sat on the couch in the room.

She set the glasses on the table while Jay joined her. Jay had changed into some pjs while she was away. Violet poured them both some wine before they toasted and drank. The night was filled with fun as the two shared the bottle of wine.

As Violet was about to leave later that night, she stopped in the doorway and had a huge grin. "See you tomorrow, Mom," she giggled before leaving.

Jay just shook her head with a laugh. Marriage was something too far away to even think about right now. That was a step she wasn't ready to take.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The morning brought an unexpected event. Jay and Jon were in the foyer, preparing to leave to go pick up some important guests from the airport, when the front door suddenly slammed open and in walked a man covered in blood.

He was barely able to stand and leaned against the doorframe. "Grandmaster, there's been an attack," the man managed to say after coughing up blood.

Deep wounds covered his body and the sword he held was soaked in blood. Jon rushed over to him as he called for servants to call for one of their doctors. Jay helped Jon carry the man to one of the nearby guest rooms.

"Try to explain what happened, Jeremiah," Jon said after the man was laying on the bed. They had made sure to have him propped up in case he coughed up more blood.

"I don't know how to explain it. Everything was quiet and then out of nowhere, black clouds started forming and destroying everything. There were beings coming out of them. The only way to describe them is demons. They were monstrous and powerful. They wiped out the underground base."

He paused to catch his breath. "I was the only one to get out," he managed.

His words brought the memory of the whisper that Jay had heard yesterday. She couldn't help but immediately see a connection. It had been a warning that she didn't pay any attention to. How could she when she didn't know how to interpret it?

A man soon burst into the room and ran over to Jeremiah's side. He was followed by two women with a stretcher. Jay stepped aside to let them take over. On the estate was a small but well equipped hospital for everyone on the premises.

He would be well taken care of. Jay could only hope that he would survive his awful injuries. All everyone could do now was wait.