"Brianna, please, calm down!" Jin pleads frantically. "Talk to me, tell me what's wrong!"

But the seer is hysterical, empty hand shaking as Hoseok's voice continues to pour through her now shattered cellular device. She'd dropped it upon the floor, stunned by the realization that her friends are in danger.

Why is this happening?

She's never felt so utterly helpless.

Once he realizes that he won't receive any answers from Brianna, the genie leans down and picks up the battered phone.

"Brianna?" Hoseok's voice meets Jin's ear, and he can hear the worry behind the old seer's words. "Brianna, are you there?"

Jin frowns.

"Whatever it is that you told her has her shaking like a leaf and distraught. She won't even answer me, " Jin replies, "what the hell is going on?"

He can hear Hoseok's resigned sigh, and braces himself for bad news.

And then Hoseok repeats himself.

"I saw Marie's death. Yours and Jeonguk's too."

Brianna's old mentor waits patiently for the genie he's never met before to explode, to argue that it isn't possible and so on and so forth. There's a reason that he sequesters himself away on the farm, and avoids both mortals and immortals alike.

No one likes to hear about their own death, as Hoseok had long since discovered first hand. Mortals often got touchy about it, but Immortals?

Well, they could get downright hostile. To most Immortals, the idea of death is something they simply can't comprehend at all. It's alien, unnatural, and doesn't apply to them. Death is for lesser beings.

But the Ifrit does something that Hoseok hasn't experienced in a long, long time.

He surprises him.

"That means there must be a reaper hanging about, right?" The genie pauses, seemingly contemplating Hoseok's words. "But why would they target us? We haven't done anything to bring attention to ourselves. Marie didn't either."

Hoseok disagrees.

"I don't think it's a reaper, " he points out. "Reapers don't leave behind bodies, this guy does."

"Did you get a look at the murderer? Notice anything about him?" Seokjin asks.

"I'm afraid not. All I know is that he certainly isn't a reaper."

"What about the time and date?" Jin continues. "Or location, even? When and where do Jeonguk and I die?"

Hoseok takes a deep breath, and recalls the images that had flashed through his head only a few moments ago, just before making this call.

"I don't know about the date, or the exact time so to speak, but both deaths occur at night." He reveals. "Jeonguk's doesn't happen until after yours. He's jumped in an alley just outside Pike Place. Your's happens in your home. He takes you by surprise as you're preparing a meal for Jeonguk."

"And was Jeonguk in human form, or his wolf form?"

Again the genie surprises Hoseok. It's a clever question, considering that the full moon is tonight. By pinpointing which form the werewolf is in, they can at least deduce an estimate on how many days they might have.

"He was in his human form, " Hoseok declares, "but still struggling with the after-effects of his transformation. He'd only recently shifted back, his wolf was still fairly close to the surface."

Seokjin nods, taking all of the information to heart.

"One more thing, " Hoseok adds hesitantly, "I can't say for sure, but given the connections between the murders..."

He trails off, a lump forming in his throat as he speaks.

"Well, it seems to me that Brianna might be in danger as well. I haven't seen her death, but I did manage to catch a glimpse of the murderer's mind. He's obsessed with Brianna."

Seokjin growls, anger overcoming him.

"I think it'd be wise if you and Jeonguk stick closely to Brianna for now, " Hoseok continues. "I think it would be safer for all three of you. For whatever reason, in my vision, the killer specifically waits until the two of you are away from her."

The genie casts his eyes upon Brianna's catatonic expression. She's leaning against the counter, wearing that heartbreaking expression...

"She doesn't deserve this."

Seokjin hadn't meant to say it out loud, but apparently he did because Hoseok sighs on the other end of the line.

"No, " he agrees, "she doesn't. Listen, chances are, she's blaming herself for this. I've told her so many times that just because she can see it doesn't mean-"

"She can't see anything right now, " Seokjin interrupts, shocking the hell out of Hoseok. "Her vision is being blocked."

"What?" Hoseok nearly drops his phone, and Seokjin can hear the distortion's caused by the man's fumble. "Why didn't she tell me?"

"She didn't want to worry you."

"Well I'm certainly worried now!" He exclaims.

For a moment there is a pause as Hoseok seemingly digests this tidbit of information.

"I think I should come to Seattle, " he finally speaks. "If she really can't see right now, she's vulnerable. And I don't like it."

"I think it's a good idea, " Seokjin agrees. "But you know Brianna won't agree with us."

"Yeah, well, she'll get over it."

Seokjin rather likes this man, he decides. It's the first time he's spoken with the reclusive seer, but clearly, not the last.

"Alright, " Jin replies. "I'll take care of Jeonguk, fill him in. I think it might be wise to shut down the shop for a little bit, though it's gonna take some effort to convince Brianna of that. I think we'd be safer at my place."

"Text me the address, okay?"

"Will do, " Seokjin confirms. "We'll see you soon."

"Keep her safe, " Hoseok commands.

But really, there's no need. The Ifrit has no intention of letting his dearest friend come to harm.

Once the call is disconnected, he pockets the phone and turns to face the still trembling seer. She looks so scared, and so out of it, that Jin isn't sure she'll hear anything he has to say.

So he instead places an arm beneath her knees, the other under her shoulders, and lifts. She barely even seems to recognize that she is no longer standing, just keeps whimpering so pitifully that it becomes difficult for Jin to bear.

So difficult, in fact, that he can barely contain his rage.

Shifting her weight so that it rests primarily in the arm now trapped beneath her shoulder, he waves the hand attached to his other arm briefly above her brow. With a simple wiggle of his fingers, a soft glow begins to emanate from the tips. She falls slack against him, head cradled gently against his solid chest.

Sleep.

The sudden peaceful rise and fall of her chest eases Jin somewhat as he returns his free arm to the bend of her knees.

In any other situation, Seokjin would normally take the bus. It's always struck his werewolf housemate as hilarious that, despite being quite possibly one of the wealthiest beings living in Seattle, the genie works as a part-timer, and rides the bus about. But to Jin, it's a matter of pride.

He's come a long way from being the purely hedonistic, self-centered genie that Brianna had released from a possible eternity of imprisonment. His way of life is a testament to his own personal growth. And he likes it.

Of course, that isn't to say that he isn't still an utterly incorrigible hedonist. All genies are, after all, and his Wujin is no different. She hasn't ever judged him for it, so he doesn't see how anyone else has the right to. And really, what's wrong with a little pleasure, and self-indulgence?

But this isn't a normal situation, and besides the fact that he is lugging about an unconscious female, he is ridiculously uneasy about traveling by normal means. Without knowing who his possible murderer is, he simply can't know what to look out for. Just because Hoseok viewed his death within the safety of his own home doesn't suddenly make the streets any safer.

If Brianna's old mentor and friend is correct, and the sicko really is obsessed with Brianna, he could be watching them even now. And he absolutely despises the idea of exposing her to this creep's sick gaze, even for a moment.

He wills the door to the back of the shop to open, rotating one hand at the wrist beneath Brianna's sleeping form. It easily, and quickly obeys his unspoken command. It glows ever so slightly, just like the barely perceptible aura around his hand, as it swings open and reveals the inventory closet.

He steps in, content that the door shuts behind him. He simply can't risk the possibility of prying eyes at the moment.

There, in the darkened supply room that smells like herbs, spices, and old, battered books, Seokjin closes his eyes. He's never actually attempted to blink with a passenger before, though he's often blinked Jeonguk around. Sometimes, just to spite the young werewolf, and others, out of necessity.

Which reminds him, Jeonguk is in danger too.

With iron concentration, he pictures Brianna, Jeonguk, and himself standing safely within his marbled foyer. The room around him shifts, shimmers, and then spins out of existence. When he opens his eyes once more, he is relieved to find the three of them exactly where he'd envision. Though, Jeonguk looks confused and alarmed.

The young werewolf looks frantically about, half-eaten burger held halfway to his opened lips. It seems that Jin interrupted the poor boy mid-meal. Jeonguk quickly recognizes his surroundings, however, and his surprise is quick to be replaced with annoyance.

"What the hell Jin?"

Meanwhile, a pair of predatory eyes remain plastered to Brianna's shop. He'd followed the Nephilim here, and watched him interact with the female seer. Yoongi has never been a fan of seers, but he has to admit that he's intrigued by the boy's obvious obsession with this one.

What makes her so special?

To his immense annoyance, the child is still carrying about that talisman.

"He's clever, " Yoongi concludes to himself, absentmindedly running a hand through his dark and glossy hair. "He knows I'm onto him."

And it seems, in truth, that he really does. The Nephilim, despite his careless attitude, remains on high alert. Whenever Yoongi observes him, the boy glances about, clearly feeling the weight of the reaper's unsettling gaze.

He'd lost the boy more than once amidst the crowd, much to his profound displeasure. The boy seems to be adapt at running, probably because of just how long he's been doing it. A tinge of guilt presses itself upon the sullen reaper, but he shrugs it away.

He won't be held accountable for the boy's actions, no matter what it is he'd done in the past. Granted, that's easy to say, but it hasn't escaped Yoongi's notice that boy inherited his mother's eyes. Her hair too.

A painful surge of memories nearly steals his breath away, but he shoves that aside as well. This is no time for remembering the past, the present, and the future is all that matters now.

Somehow, Yoongi knows the child will return to this place. It's only a matter of time. So he's settled into a small room in the hotel opposite the shop and it's neighbors. From this vantage point, he should be able to see the boy whether he be coming or going. He's tracked the Nephilim across the country, followed him from across the sea. Yoongi has been patient, cunning, and calculated.

He can wait just a little longer.

As to what he should do about that talisman, he still hasn't worked that bit out. Talisman's such as this one shouldn't even exist, it's an affront to the natural order of the Immortal hierarchy. But then again, he supposes the boy isn't too hung up on the God's rules, considering that Nephilim themselves aren't much different.

Not that Yoongi can really judge. Once, he too flaunted the rules in pursuit of his heart's desires. And the price he was forced to pay is so grievous, that he'd run from it for centuries. He'd probably be running from it still if the boy hadn't developed a love for murder.

But he had, and Yoongi simply can't let it slide.

By the time Jin has finished explaining the situation to Jeonguk, the sun is already beginning to set. Brianna lies peaceful and sleeping in one of the genie's many guest bedrooms, and Jeonguk sits before him, attempting to wrap his head around it all.

"But why?" The young werewolf asks incredulously. "Why would anyone be so obsessed with noona that they'd be willing to hurt her?"

Seokjin shakes his weary head.

"I don't know, " he replies, "maybe we're considered threats."

"Marie too? All she ever did was help Brianna!"

Seokjin had thought of that, of course, had asked himself the very same thing. No matter how you slice it Marie's death just doesn't make sense. What had she ever done to deserve such a cruel death?

He hadn't interacted with the witch terribly much, but she'd seemed like a fairly nice woman, had been a close friend to Brianna. According to her she'd met Marie during the Salem Witch Trials, during Marie's first life cycle.

He also knew that the witch had a habit of taking less than savory lovers. But, then again, he somehow doesn't think that ties in at all.

The only connection that he can think of between the three of them is that they are all Briana's close friends. It troubles him, too, that the murderer is actually able to fully kill Immortals. As far as he's aware, only reapers have that kind of ability.

But then, it hits him.

What if the reason that he and Jeonguk are in danger is because they, at one point in the future, stand between the murderer and Brianna? What if they are killed because they interfere?

His mind is racing a thousand miles an hour as he begins to connect the dots.

Marie, too, had interfered in Brianna's life. She'd driven away whatever evil spirit had haunted their shared seer friend. And if that's the reason she was killed...

Then the murderer must be none other than the entity that had so viciously tormented Brianna.

A slew of questions still remain. How will they find the bastard? How is he able to kill an Immortal? How did he block Brianna's vision, and watch her so easily within the shop without being sensed or seen?

And above all, just what the fuck is he?