As I took a closer look, I realized how upscale Rei's apartment was. It was a good size, easily accommodating two or three people. There were likely two bedrooms, and the living room was quite spacious.
Currently, we were all gathered in the living room, ready to have a "civil discussion," as Han Riu had described it.
I settled on the floor, back against the wall, not wanting to be anywhere near Rei, who lounged on the couch, legs crossed. Han Riu watched from the coffee table. The atmosphere was uncomfortably familiar, like two scolded children.
"Now, we have some things we need to discuss with you."
Just yesterday I was stealing bread from the bakery, and now I was reasoning with a cat.
I let out a sigh and waved my hand in annoyance, "Fine, whatever. Go ahead."
I adopted a defensive posture, arms crossed, but couldn't help wondering what was so amusing. A laugh had definitely come from the couch, but Rei was already facing the other way.
"Alright, we've gone through formalities already, but I'm Han Riu, one of five dragon brothers who protect the three realms," he declared, oozing confidence.
"I'm Reiki; you can just call me Rei."
"Eve." I simply said.
Rei rolled his eyes at my introduction, but accepted it. After all, he'd already learned my name the day before.
"So, Han Riu, what do you want from me?"
Han Riu and Rei exchanged a glance, then looked at me, their expressions suggesting they were unsure how to phrase their question. The silence made me anxious.
"Ahem… I am also searching for something—for someone. Rei is assisting me in my endeavors, and in return, I assist him. But I am afraid I am not as powerful as I once was."
That sounded like an issue for him, but what of it? They're probably trying to get me wrapped up in their business, and that wasn't happening.
"What's that got to do with me?" I looked at Rei, who began answering.
Rei opened his mouth to say, "Han Riu is trying to contact heaven," but Han Riu quickly jumped on his lap, using his paws to silence him.
"Hey, hey, who said you could go into it?"
The poor cat seemed to be contacting heaven. I didn't get why he'd want to go there, especially given my lack of knowledge about dragons and their place in this world—Lucien hadn't mentioned them.
"Long story short, I am looking for a friend. The ruler of darkness remains silent to the matter, so I thought I would try the ruler of light."
Excuse me, but this cat-dragon was attempting to contact the ruler of light? Who could his friend be that he'd seek help from Heaven?
"So what's that got to do with Rei?" Why choose Rei's help? Did they already know each other?
"Rei is an exorcist, so sticking with him should lead to an angel eventually. Or a demon with information."
Ah, that makes sense. Wait—
"I don't have any information. If you're going to ask about the Underworld's ruler, I have no idea. I've never seen him nor heard much about him. He's, as you said, missing."
Their looks deflated as they realized I had nothing.
The ruler of the underworld wasn't someone you could just meet. I'm not sure how it was back then, but things seemed much simpler. I had no information to offer.
Han Riu stepped forward, a look of seriousness gracing his features.
"Eve, please. We ask for your help in aiding us. I think we could benefit from each other. Whatever it is you are looking for, surely it would be something a seasoned exorcist or dragon could find."
The cat sounded genuine, something I haven't heard in a long time. They must be desperate.
I shrugged.
"I don't know what I'm looking for." I spoke bluntly.
Han Riu turned to look at me, confused. "You don't know?"
"Nope. Dunno."
It wasn't a lie. I really didn't know what I was searching for.
"That makes no sense. How are you looking for something and you don't know what you're looking for? You expect me to believe that?"
I sighed and sat up, crossing my arms. I shouldn't expect to be trusted in this situation.
"Listen. Lucien told me to look for something and that I'd know when I found it. Believe it or not, that's the truth. I have no more information."
They didn't seem satisfied with that answer, but Han Riu appeared almost speechless. I couldn't give them more; I didn't know more.
"Lucien!?" Han Riu yelled out in surprise, making me flinch at the sudden outburst.
"…Yeah?" I said slowly.
Was he well known to dragons as well? Given his underworld influence, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised by his broader fame.
"Do you know him?" Rei was now curious.
"Know him? He is a menace, the worst across every realm. What is a brat like you doing hanging around him?"
I squinted my eyes as a show of disdain from the side insult but let it go. Lucien was a demon, so I wasn't surprised he wasn't liked.
"He's my… mentor? Guardian? I don't know, whatever you call 'em. He's taken care of me my whole life. I do stuff for him, but I stay in Eden—it's not like it's any of your business."
I caught myself before saying too much. I didn't trust them, and I was unsure how to answer since our relationship was never questioned.
"Hmm, strange… Lucien is not known to take on the responsibility of another..."
Han Riu looked like he was thinking hard about something but held his tongue.
Rei sighed and stretched his arms out, appearing tired as today's weight hit him. As I stared at him, I examined his features.
He had beautiful, wavy blonde hair with bangs that fell to his eyebrows, middle-parted. His eyes were almost the same golden yellow as his hair, reminiscent of a citrine gemstone.
I caught myself staring too much when I realized Rei was staring back at me suspiciously.
"What? Don't think about trying to escape." He rested his chin on his hand and leaned forward, one hundred percent on guard around me.
I wasn't planning to act yet; I needed a strategy, so they were safe for now.
Han Riu broke into our staredown, bringing the conversation back to the issue at hand: my missing item.
"So Lucien told you to look for something, but did not tell you what it was?" He repeated my words back to me.
"Yeah."
The efforts were fruitless, but I did what I could. Looking at the two made me realize they might help after all. Their presence could bring leads or advance my search more than going alone.
As much as I hated being forced here by them, it might be what they call a "blessing in disguise."
"You want my help? Fine, I'm willing, but with conditions. This is a timed 'contract.' I'll only help you and cooperate if my end yields results. It's not fair if you only get what you want in the end."
What was the point in staying if I didn't get what I wanted? I wasn't doing this out of charity, and I was at my wits end without a single result.
Rei stood, nodding as he considered my words.
"Alright, but I have conditions as well. You'll aid my spirit exorcisms, aligning with Han Riu's goal. You'll stay here, only leaving the apartment with me or Han Riu." He gestured to the cat on the coffee table and grinned. "He may look like a cat, but he's a powerful dragon. Don't forget it."
From his standing position, Rei looked down at me, overly prepared with his terms; it was as if he anticipated my agreement.
"No, I want my freedom. I'd said I'd help, so why keep me here?"
The blonde scoffed. "You'd think I'd trust you? A demon? You earn your freedom."
I scrunched my eyebrows in disapproval, wanting to attempt another escape, but held back.
"And if I disagree?"
Rei raised his brow, not taking my words that seriously.
"Then it's no deal, and you can rot here and never find what you're looking for. With that said, I'm helping Han Riu, and you're looking for something. We are using each other to achieve our goals. What do we have to lose?"
I could see a grin slowly form on Rei's face as he then crossed his arms as if showing his superiority. I didn't like the cockiness of this human.
"Your ability as a demon will be useful to me, and it's not like you're getting nothing out of it."
This didn't feel like fair trade at all, but it looked like I didn't have much of a choice other than to help.
"You'd be wise to cooperate." Han Riu chimed in from the coffee table, jumping down to sit on the floor next to Rei.
I only huffed and turned my head from them both.
"Fine, whatever... I agree." I clicked my tongue in frustration, accepting the short end of the stick.
I didn't want to go back to the underworld, which would've inevitably happened if Lucien found I couldn't produce results.
"That's more like it!"
Rei took the two steps it took to stand in front of me and held out his hand.
"Here's to mutual cooperation!" He exclaimed happily with that golden smile.
I blankly held out my hand, and he grabbed it, shaking it once. Afterwards, he stood to his feet and turned on his heel.
"I'll see you bright and early in the morning then, Eve~"
Rei stood and waved to me as he headed to his room, which I had previously woken up from, leaving me with the cat.
How did I end up in this situation? This was all Lucien's fault, and I knew for a fact he wouldn't help me.
Han Riu stepped forward, walking between my legs and sliding through the barrier with ease and onto the balcony's railing.
"I am going to take care of something. Behave while I am gone, will you?"
With that, he jumped down, disappearing into the streets below, leaving me alone.
Huffing, I grabbed my hair and pulled at it before hitting my head against the wall behind me.
Could things get any worse?