"First things first, throw everything you know about phantoms out the window right now."
Aria stood in front of a whiteboard that Sebastian had just ordered for her, while Blue sat on a couch, confused.
"Aren't phantoms just basic demons?"
"They are, but there's more to them than you're led to believe. You see, phantoms are different."
She started jotting down some notes on the whiteboard using her red marker.
It read:
Phantoms are classified in three categories:
1. Green – These phantoms are either born from extremely positive feelings—which is rare—or from weak negative feelings, which is more common. They are basically harmless.
2. Red – These are born from strong negative emotions. They are dangerous. They are not capable of speech or understanding.
Examples: The spider phantom and the one from your school.
3. Grey – Unlike the others, these are souls trapped by lingering feelings. By their own feelings and feelings of the living. These evolve quickly and are capable of speech and understanding.
Even after the living forget about the deceased, the soul will live on forever, with no other choice but to feed on souls.
Blue raised her hand in frustration. "But those phantoms spoke—the spider and the one from school. Wouldn't that make them Grey?"
Aria nodded. "That would usually be the case, but my eyes do not lie," she said, pointing to her bright red eyes. "Those were Red. So we have to assume that whoever is doing this is trying to make a new species of phantoms."
Blue clenched her fists, frustrated, but kept a calm facade.
Aria stroked her chin. "So, I've been meaning to ask... if Ethan is human, how is he able to see phantoms?"
Humans cannot see phantoms.
Blue blinked, confused. "Normal people who have experienced trauma or been on the verge of death can see them."
Aria nodded in understanding. "And you're able to see them because you're one of the Gifted."
The Gifted were a small group of humans born with the ability to see phantoms.
A maid walked into the room holding a tray of snacks and drinks. Quietly, she placed the tray on the table and left without uttering a single word.
Blue picked up a cupcake and took a bite. "So... are phantoms in Hell too?"
"Yes. The ones there are much bigger, faster, and more dangerous than the ones here. That's why phantom training is done by Royals and some talented demons."
"Phantoms can't be trained—that's ridiculous. They're savages, especially the Red ones," she snickered, slapping her knee in amusement.
"Humans," Aria sighed and rolled her eyes.
"But that would be interesting to see."
---
Two hours later, Sebastian came by and reminded the girls that time was up.
Aria had taught her a few minor details about phantoms.
"I'll walk you out," Sebastian offered.
Blue followed closely behind, leaving Aria to her thoughts.
Thirty seconds later, her stomach growled. She placed her hand over it. "I knew it. Human food is not enough to keep me satisfied."
She needed to feed. Giving Hardin some of her blood was draining her energy.
"Being someone's antidote is so hard—especially if they're also your food."
Sebastian appeared at the door once more. "You know, when I miss the taste of human flesh, I drink some whiskey."
"Why? Isn't it better to eat the real thing?"
Sebastian began walking toward the cellar in the basement, and Aria trudged behind.
Old bottles of whiskey were carefully placed in polished wooden honeycomb cubicles.
"I made a promise that I would never eat humans again," he explained.
"Sad," she commented, picking up a random bottle from a cubicle. She popped it open and took one sip.
---
"So catch this—someone's out there trying to force phantoms to evolve," Blue said.
Ethan was lying across her lap and jolted upright. "What?!"
"I know, right?"
"What kind of messed-up psychopath would do that?!"
She burst out laughing. "Imagine—they're trying to build a whole phantom army."
"Oh, and take over the town," he added with mock horror.
"Oh no! Next thing you know, we'll be phantom slaves," she gasped.
They both cracked up, laughing until they were out of breath.
Then silence settled in.
Ethan slowly sat up, turning to face her. "Okay... but what if we're actually right about this?"
Blue met his eyes and nodded. "I know. But I'd rather not spiral about it right now. Tell me about your day."
She shifted, curling toward him.
"Not much. I went skateboarding, then played ball with the guys."
She raised an eyebrow. "Jake was there, wasn't he?"
Ethan grimaced. "Yeah. He asked about you again."
Blue rolled her eyes. "Of course he did."
"I told him to back off," Ethan said, more serious now.
She smiled, just a little. "Thanks. I really don't think I ever want to talk to him again."
Ethan nodded. "Is that why you've been avoiding Emma and Willow?"
"No," she said quietly. "When I broke up with Jake… they took his side."
He agreed with her.
"You're still coming to my basketball games, right?"
She nodded. "Nothing—especially not this Jake nonsense—is ever going to stop me from supporting you."
Ethan shuddered and wrapped his arms around himself. "Are you sure you're not in love with me?"
Blue stretched her arms toward him and puckered her lips. "Don't get shy on me now. You already know my secret."
Ethan paled as she moved closer, then chucked a pillow at her. It hit her squarely in the face.
"Don't do that, you weirdo."
Blue burst into laughter. "Come on, I was just trying to show you how much I love you!" She hugged the pillow tightly.
His stomach twisted at her words. He rolled off the bed and picked up a pillow.
"What are you doing?" Blue asked, tilting her head.
"I'm going to sleep," he said, stopping by the door. "Or are you just too scared to sleep alone?" he teased.
"As if," she scoffed.
Ethan flipped the light switch and darkness enveloped the room. "Sleep tight."
---
"When the darkness begins to creep in
And the fireflies lose their spark
I'll be your light."
Aria's voice bounced off the walls as she sang to the man laying unconscious. Her voice was soft and elegant.
Quiet groans escaped Hardin's lips as he began to stir, his eyebrows furrowing. His eyelids opened to reveal his beautiful heterochromatic eyes, and she smiled.
"How was your vacation in Hell?" Aria asked.
Sweat glistened on his perfectly toned face as a scowl contoured on his face, he sat upstraight.
"How long has it been?" He jumped straight to the point.
"I don't know how to tell you this," Aria paused. "It's been thirty years."
He rolled his eyes when he saw the spark of amusement swirling in her eyes. "Can you be serious?"
"Trust me, the second you step outside, you're going to see some spaceships!" she quipped, maintaining her facade.
He saw through her.
The doors burst open and Sebastian strolled in—his eyes wide and teary.
"You're awake!" he beamed as he ran toward him, arms outstretched, ready to envelop him in a hug. But before he could, Aria blocked him with her arm.
"Do you want to send him back into his coma?" she reminded.
"Just this once... can I hold you, Hardin?" His voice lacked emotion, but his eyes were pleading.
Hardin averted his gaze. "No," he rejected, running a hand through his messy blond hair, he ruffled his hair. "It's been years since I've had an attack like that. I think it would be for the best if I avoided physical contact for a while."
Sebastian nodded. "I'll go cancel your meeting with Louis Lee."
"I would appreciate that," he replied, and Sebastian walked out.
"So, Sebastian and I discovered something new," Aria started. She got up from her seat and picked up a blood transfer machine. "My blood helps, as well. It's what cleared up your whole body."
Hardin lifted his blanket and peeped underneath. He was wearing grey sweatpants and a white shirt. "Who changed my clothes?"
The room fell silent.
He glanced up at her, eyebrow raised.
"I did," she mumbled. "But don't worry—my eyes were closed the entire time."
He understood why she had done it. If anyone else had changed his clothes, his condition would have worsened.
"Thank you."
Aria's eyes widened. She was baffled at his soft tone. It was the first time someone had ever said that to her. It made her heart melt.
"Anytime," she grinned brightly.
"So... do you want me to hold you in my arms while you sleep?" she giggled, stretching out her arms.
He rolled out of bed, his feet hitting the cold white tiles. "If you're feeling so generous, perhaps you can help me take a shower."
Her face scrunched in disgust. "You know, you're kind of a pervert."
His lips curled. "Relax—I was joking."
"You can do that?!" she gasped. "The Hardin Carrington knows what a joke is. Consider me riddled."
He ignored her and disappeared into the bathroom.
Something has changed. Ever since the museum opening, he's let his guard down.
Or maybe... he was just used to her being around.
But she loved it.
---
hey guys
It's been a long ass time.
Here is my Instagram account :definetlynother73