Jeonghan looked at the boy with distaste. "Why do we need him again? Humans smell funny, I don't like it."

The three of them were in the council room for Seungcheol's coven. A small throne had been constructed in the middle, with six chairs on either side. Seungcheol was sitting in his proper place as the head of the coven, while Jeonghan lingered in the middle of the room.

Hyungwon was currently kneeling in front of Seungcheol's throne, remaining as still and possible because that was what Seungcheol had told him to do. He wore a new collar around his neck, this one illuminated with a dark purple color, as it had been crafted from Seungcheol's magic. While worn, it held Hyungwon in his human form. Seungcheol had also modified the curse, examining his previous work before editing certain sections so that Hyungwon retained his feline ears and tail while in his human form. He didn't have a reason yet as for why he'd done so other than for his own amusement and curiosity, and that maybe it would bring out his feline instincts. Animals were far easier to manipulate than humans, after all.

Strangely, it didn't look bad on the boy.

"Because I said so. Is that not sufficient reason for you?" Seungcheol asked sharply, and Jeonghan looked off to the side, not bold enough to question Seungcheol's judgement. "Besides," Seungcheol said, setting his hand down on Hyungwon's head, and Hyungwon stilled. "I've always liked collecting pretty things."

"Maybe so," Jeonghan agreed. "But that didn't involve stealing from the most powerful witch alive."

"He stole from me first," Seungcheol said offhandedly, furling and unfurling his fingers atop Hyungwon's head, his fingertips passing through the silky strands. The boy rumbled softly as his feline instincts prompted him to purr. Seungcheol pulled his hand back, smirking as a small whine escaped Hyungwon's lips before he fell silent. With each small touch, he was conditioning Hyungwon to trust him, to desire his care, and when he broke away, he left Hyungwon with a painful ache for more contact.

"Aren't you afraid that he's working for Changkyun?" Jeonghan asked tensely, and Hyungwon flinched at the name.

Seungcheol smiled at the reaction before addressing Jeonghan. "No. Chankgyun threw him away, after all," he said, taking pleasure in Hyungwon's second flinch as he sank down a bit further onto his knees. "And apparently, he doesn't want his kitten back anyway."

Hyungwon's head fell slightly.

"But that's okay. I've been taking good care of the kitten," Seungcheol said. "And because he's a good kitten, he makes sure to do exactly as I tell him." His words were a little darker at the end, and Hyungwon straightened his back, looking directly forward.

Jeonghan just frowned, looking at Hyungwon with skepticism in his eyes.

"Would you like a demonstration?" Seungcheol asked, his voice saccharine as he looked at Jeonghan, who merely nodded, his lips forming a frown. "Kitten, do you remember what I told you?" Seungcheol asked, leaning down so his lips were close to Hyungwon's ear.

Hyungwon shivered at the closeness before nodding, keeping his mouth closed.

"What did I tell you?" Seungcheol asked. "Speak."

Hyungwon licked his lips before answering in a quiet voice rough from disuse. "To stay still and keep quiet."

"Let's see how well you can obey," Seungcheol replied, sitting up straight as he channeled his magical power solely into the fingertip of his index finger. The power condensed, forming a small purple flame, which Seungcheol touched lightly to the upper edge of Hyungwon's left ear.

Hyungwon immediately tensed, his body shaking with unimaginable pain, and he bit down hard on his bottom lip, closing his eyes as they began to tear up. Even though only his ear was being affected, his entire body burned, wave after wave of pure agony coursing from his head downward. Even his knees, which had gone numb, burst back into feeling as pain ignited every muscle and joint in his body.

But he didn't move, and he didn't make a sound.

Seungcheol, flame still pressed to Hyungwon's ear, looked over at Jeonghan with a bored expression, his eyes asking Is this satisfactory for you?

"Fine," Jeonghan said with a sigh, looking away. He didn't feel anything but disgust for the human, but he wasn't particularly a fan of unnecessary violence, and it was difficult for him to watch Seungcheol harm a creature who was unable to fight back.

Seungcheol smiled and extinguished his magical flame, pulling his hand back from Hyungwon's ear. Where his finger had been now lay a patch of burnt fur, and Hyungwon's ear continued twitching, unable to cope with the physical damage.

"Stand up and face me," Seungcheol commanded, and Hyungwon stumbled to his feet, favoring one knee as he turned to face his master, forcing his eyes open. "Look what you're done," Seungcheol said softly, exhaling in disappointment as he harshly wiped away the remaining tears on Hyungwon's face before examining his bloody lip.

Seungcheol stared at the droplets of blood, mesmerized for a moment before an idea popped into his head. He pulled a small vial out of his pocket and removed the cap, holding it up to Hyungwon's lips and letting the blood drip into the vial. He collected several drops before pulling it back and closing it securely.

"What are you going to do with that?" Jeonghan asked, eyeing the pocket Seungcheol had slipped the vial of blood into.

"I think I will write a love letter," Seungcheol said with a small smirk as he stood up, heading towards his private chambers.

Hyungwon remained where he stood, unable to leave without the proper command, but Seungcheol had already left the room.

Jeonghan paused, staring at Hyungwon's body, frozen in place but still trembling from pain. Then he looked away and left the room.