4. 'Vulnerable'

*Song Meng POV

I enter my first period which is mythological studies early and take my seat in the front row of the right side. I must get here before the bell rings or else order can't be maintained in this class. As students trickle in in their groups, my focus is on one only. That girl from earlier. 'She is in this class?!' I am curious but she doesn't notice me. She takes in the room and some of the groups before sitting down by herself.

As the teacher Mr. Chonglin begins his lecture, I glance over at her from time to time. When he mentions the sightings of a vampire, I look at her to see her reaction. Surprisingly, she doesn't seem disturbed at all. Instead, her expression shifts to one of curiosity. She is so delicate and beautiful. I take a look at her face again. Her skin seems to glow a little bit and her cheeks are lightly flushed into a sweet pink. Her eyes are brown, luminous orbs that attract attention. I could look at her forever. My thoughts are disturbed when I notice Zhong Long - that jerk - is looking at her as well. He is licking his lips like the beast he is and looking at her like she is a cut of meat or something. Ugh. Weirdly enough, I get the urge that I should protect her from this rat. And I am determined to do so.

Class finally ends and I see her almost run out of the door closest to her. The forecast said it should be raining just about now and so I begin to grab my bag and walk out the door too. Outside, my vision darkens as I see that hunk Zhong Long try to take advantage of her not having an umbrella. He is holding her arm and seeing this, my vision almost goes red. As quickly as I can, I get to her and pull her out of his grasp. She seems surprised and almost trips, but lands on me. She is so petite that her head is below my chin. I get the feeling that holding her is something I could do forever.

Zhong Long's face pales as he steps back a little bit and before she can grasp the situation, I pull her towards the main square. She doesn't resist. Opening a large black umbrella, we walk together. I no hold on to her arm but she doesn't make a sound. Only then do I notice she has a distinct smell coming from her. Like the petals of a flower. I can't resist anymore.

I spin her around to face me and she looks really startled and even possibly scared. The purple I felt exuding off of her only increases as I look into her eyes. She thanks me quietly and her soft voice is the only thing on my mind.

"Don't thank me yet" I mutter, she looks absolutely stunned. I think she thinks I'm some hero that saved her from a beast but...well... I'm no hero in anybody's story, much less hers.

"Who are you?" I blurt out. I am so curious about this girl. She blinks once, twice before answering;

"Qin Shan" in a quiet voice. Her eyes start to tear and I really hope she doesn't cry. I suddenly remember everything in the past that, honestly, I wanted to forget. "What's your name?" she asks in a whisper, bringing me back to the present. Based on the green coming off of her friend earlier, I know that she already knows. But that's not what gets me. I am sure I know this girl. But she doesn't remember me at all.

"That's not important yet." I mutter giving her a look. I have so many questions yet I don't know where to start. There was a little girl in my past. One who I swore to protect, however, she vanished before my eyes when she was only three years old. This is a past I have never forgiven myself for. I believe that she is the little girl who vanished so long ago. As a member of the "Court" we are supposed to find a human. One who is vulnerable, and spend time in the shadows to watch and make sure they are always safe. That girl was my first mission, and also my last. Could I have a second chance?

"I'm not done asking questions yet" I say gently. I need to know more about her. Surprisingly she complies, "Okay."

"Who are your parents?" is my first question. Tears well in her eyes, threatening to drip down her face. This occurance is seemingly without her knowledge. As they spill over, I have to fight the urge to wipe them away.

"Qin Deming was my father and Hou Ai was my mother." She says starting to choke up. "They passed away a few weeks ago while visiting me in the United States." She mutters. I feel so much sympathy for this delicate girl. It seems she blames herself for something so uncontrollable.

"Do you know how they passed?" I ask, pressing her further. She looks me dead in the eyes "They died by a gas leak in the Castle Hotel they were staying in. I'm told it was a great accident."

My eyes narrow slightly. I am familiar with the name of that place and more than ever, I don't believe that her parents death was a mere accident. This girl's parents death must have been associated with something bad, something evil. I need to learn more about this. But even more so, I am determined to protect this girl with whatever I can. I am determined to protect this girl with my life.