Page 121 of Ruthless Kings of Obsession

"After that, we start holiday festivities early," Sia concludes, something like relief crossing her features. "Take advantage of the break to figure out what the fuck is really going on."

"And when the new year comes," I add, meeting each of their gazes, "we hit the ground running. No more reactive measures – we need to get ahead of whatever's being planned."

Hannah's expression shows subtle approval. "A reasonable approach. Though I must stress the importance of extreme caution. The Blind One's reach appears to extend further than initially estimated."

"How exactly do we stay safe though?" Ishya asks, real concern in her voice. "If he can engineer diseases specifically targeted to individuals..."

"We maintain distance from potential exposure vectors," Hannah states practically. "Avoid common areas, minimize contact with unknown substances, ensure all food and drink comes from verified sources."

"Basically paranoia as a lifestyle choice," Sia mutters, though she doesn't actually disagree.

"Prudent caution," Hannah corrects mildly. "There's a difference between paranoia and appropriate protective measures."

I think about all the security features in our new home, all the careful protocols Hannah's implemented. How what once seemed excessive now feels barely adequate.

"What about the event after New Year's?" I ask, watching Hannah carefully. "We can't exactly skip that."

"No," she agrees, something dark flickering in her expression. "That will require... special preparations. But we have time to develop appropriate countermeasures."

The Christmas lights continue their cheerful twinkling, making everything feel slightly surreal. Here we are, three Maidens and a security expert, planning how to avoid being used as test subjects in some twisted medical experiment. All while holiday music plays faintly in the distance and tinsel catches light like captured stars.

"So we're agreed?" I look at each of them in turn. "We finish this week's obligations, then go dark until after Christmas?"

Sia nods slowly, real concern breaking through her usual sharp edges. "Yeah. Much as I hate running from anything, this isn't a fight we can win with normal methods."

"And it gives us time to gather information," Ishya adds, her accent thickening slightly with stress. "To understand what we're really dealing with."

"Speaking of information," Hannah interjects smoothly, "I'll need detailed lists of anyone who's shown unusual symptoms. Patterns only become clear with sufficient data points."

We spend the next few minutes sharing everything we've noticed – which students have gotten sick, what kinds of symptoms they've displayed, how quickly things progressed.Hannah takes notes with mechanical precision, her expression growing more concerned with each detail.

"This will help," she says finally, tucking her tablet away. "Though I strongly recommend you all leave campus as soon as possible. The pattern suggests escalation is imminent."

"Meaning?" Sia prompts, tension evident in her posture.

"Meaning whoever is conducting these trials appears to be moving into more aggressive testing phases." Hannah's voice carries careful warning. "The holiday break provides perfect cover for more... extreme experiments."

The implications of that settle over us like a physical weight. Because this isn't just about avoiding classes anymore – this is about potentially saving our own lives.

"I'll make arrangements for increased security at all your residences," Hannah continues, already typing on her phone. "Though I suggest varying your routines and locations as much as possible."

"Running and hiding," Sia mutters, though there's real fear beneath her bravado. "Some fucking holiday this is going to be."

"Better alive and hiding than dead from some engineered plague," Ishya points out grimly. "At least we have somewhere safe to go."

I think about our mansion, about all my Kings under one roof, about Hannah's careful protocols and endless contingency plans. "You're both welcome to visit," I offer suddenly, surprising everyone including myself. "If you need somewhere secure..."

Hannah's expression shows subtle approval, though she adds, "After appropriate screening protocols, of course."

"Of course," I agree, managing a small smile despite everything. "Can't have any mysterious illnesses ruining Christmas dinner."

"Speaking of which," Hannah rises smoothly, checking her watch, "we should conclude this meeting. The longer we linger, the more attention we risk drawing."

We all stand, the weight of everything we've discussed settling around us like heavy cloaks. But as we gather our things, I catch something else in their expressions – determination maybe, or carefully contained fury.

Because whoever's behind this, whatever their ultimate goal – they've made a serious mistake in targeting our world this way.

They might have diseases and poisons and carefully engineered plagues. But we have something potentially more dangerous:

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