This chapter is concurrent with Going on a hunt…

Taeyang was waiting for the results of the formulas that Lin received the previous night. He was no scientist, but he'd dealt with enough chemical engineers to know when an equation was taking something away. Tae isn't one to have wishful thinking, but just this once, he was hoping it was not what he thought it was.

But wishing was going to do nothing. As he walked a familiar street in Oasis Springs, he looked down at his hands. 'Your gloves are useless...' Fia's words echoed in his mind. All this time, he thought that enchanted gloves would at least lessen the effect of whatever happened when he first touched someone. It was a trend he'd been noticing. It first occurred when he met Lorelei in Ravenwood and shook her hand.

Back then, he chalked it up to nerves, or probably because she looked so hot. Hey, confident men can get nervous too! But then it happened again when he shook someone else's hand. Then he finally remembered when he met Seraphine that one evening. He saw her face change as he let go. He knew she felt something. And now Fia said she felt everything there was to know about him from a basic tussle, and he was wearing gloves then.

It didn't bother him that the gloves weren't working. It was the fact that he didn't know what was happening. All he could remember from those brushes was that he had a general idea of the person's psyche. He remembered Lorelei; she was a riot! So much hidden resentment and anger. He touched his neck where Mikhail first bit him. Now that was something. He'd never felt such a rush of blood before, and he'd never felt such smugness coming from someone before. As Tae neared a house on the corner of a quiet street, he hoped Chika would have all the answers for him. Fairies had good memories, so maybe she'd encountered a siren before.

Chika always had a huge smile whenever she greeted people. You'd never guess if she was having a bad day until she told you! The fairy eagerly stepped out onto the porch to greet her guest.

Chika: Taeyang! It's been a while! Tae: Hey Chika! Oh, I didn't know you had guests. Chika: Oh no worries! We were just catching up as she was in the area.

The blue lady had an easy smile. Tae then looked her over and felt a flicker of familiarity.

Tae: Wait, weren't you Ashley's midwife? Nikita, right? Nikita: Yes! You must be her mate, then! How is she doing? Tae: Pretty well, actually. The twins are growing fast, too. Nikita: I'm glad to hear! I was going to check on her but I didn't want to intrude on your space.

As he spoke, Nikita felt her heart surge. Ashley had mentioned one of her lovers was a merfolk. What serendipity!

Tae: Are... you alright? You zoned out for a second. Nikita: Oh I'm fine! Sorry, I just...

Nikita raised her hand towards Tae as if looking for something. Before he could ask what was going on, mist appeared in Tae's palms. Psionic mists…

Nikita: Forgive me for intruding on your personal thoughts, but...were you looking for Chika to ask about your nature? Tae: I was, yeah. Chika: Well, what a twist of fate, huh! Nikita's a mermaid and a siren put together. I think she's far more qualified to answer than me. Nikita: Chika, dear. I think we'll have to cut our visit short. I think deep down, I've been waiting to meet this guy. Chika: No worries, Niki! Have a good one, you two!

Nikita led Taeyang to a secluded area then teleported them to a sandy beach. A humble but beautiful home stood before them, and she welcomed him in.