"And you want me to rewrite all of this? That's it? That's your 'important assignment'?" I snapped, irritation slipping straight into my voice.
Not that I was actually that upset.
If anything, I should've thanked him.
At least now I had time to think about what Nick and I talked about.
"Did I interrupt something important?" Clyde raised an eyebrow, glancing up from his laptop.
"I was training."
"With what? Learning how to seduce Specials?"
"I was training my combat force. With Nick," I shot back, dropping into the chair across from him and dragging the papers closer. "And why the hell can't you just make copies?"
"Because I prefer it this way."
"You're impossible."
Silence followed.
The kind that slowly got under your skin.
Mouse clicks.
The scratch of a pen.
My breathing—still a little too sharp.
An hour later, I was almost done rewriting the notes on force control.
And finally—not ready to bite his head off.
"You busy?" Kristina poked her head in, then glanced at me. "Alan? You're here again?"
"As you can see," I muttered.
She didn't knock.
Never did.
Which pretty much confirmed it.
They weren't just coworkers.
They were together.
Just… not publicly.
"I'm heading into the city. Come on, set up the link already," she said, walking straight in.
"Does it have to be now?" Clyde asked, flicking a glance at me.
"I'm meeting her. So yes. Unless you don't want all the details."
He stood up.
Reluctantly.
Jaw tight.
I frowned.
Now that I thought about it—
he never used that ability around others.
Not with me.
Not with anyone.
"I can step out," I said, pushing my chair back.
"No need," Kristina waved it off. "Don't stop working just because of us. Come on, Clyde—I'm late."
I lowered my gaze to the papers, pretending to focus.
Clyde walked over.
Paused.
Then—
pressed his forehead to hers.
Just like that.
And stepped back.
I looked up.
Couldn't help it.
"…What?"
Kristina caught my expression immediately—and smiled.
"See? That was quick. No need for you to leave. You've activated the link plenty of times yourself, haven't you?" she said lightly. "I'm off, Clyde."
She slipped out.
Clyde watched her go.
Expression dark.
"What was that?" I asked, setting the pen down.
"Activating the ability."
"…No. No, that's bullshit," I said immediately. "You told me I had to— Explain."
"Did I ever say it required anything specific?"
"Yes, you did! You told me not to move, so I—" I stopped. Blinked. "You lied. You just wanted to mess with me."
"I didn't lie. I just did it differently."
"You're insufferable!" I shot to my feet. "You should've just taken your affiliation badge back and left me alone!"
"If I take it back, you're out of the academy."
"Then maybe you shouldn't have given it to me in the first place! Damn it—I actually felt bad for you. Thought you were forcing yourself to kiss people, and you—"
"I don't kiss just anyone," he said, stepping closer.
I stood up immediately.
"Yeah? Good for you. I'm done here. I finished everything. Hopefully I won't see you again for the rest of the break."
"And what are you planning to do?" he asked coolly. "Go out with your Special friends and raid brothels? Or keep trying to charm Volkin?"
I froze.
"How do you—…damn it. How long were you listening?"
"From the moment Volkin offered help."
My face burned.
"So what did you tell him?" he asked.
"That's none of your business," I snapped. "Same as what I do in my free time."
"There could be mercenaries in the city."
"I'll deal with it. Stay out of my business."
"So what did you tell Volkin?"
I didn't answer.
Just slammed the door behind me.
I sat on my bed with a book from the library.
Detailed breakdowns.
How to deal with corrupted beings at different levels.
Useful.
Mostly.
Demons, though?
Barely anything.
Same lines, over and over:
They're powerful.
They look human.
Don't cross them.
I sighed and glanced at Robert's empty bed.
Still not back.
He'd been sending pictures.
Him and Matthew—
having the time of their lives.
I clenched my jaw.
After the argument, Clyde hadn't called me again.
I planned to go out with Robert—
but Taisha ramped up the training so hard I barely had the strength for my own sessions.
I didn't question it.
That rule was absolute.
Still—
I couldn't stop thinking.
What did I mess up?
I followed every instruction.
Even the stupid ones.
She even praised me a few times.
So what changed?
My phone buzzed.
Andrew.
Classes start tomorrow.
He's back today.
Finally.
I tossed the book aside, grabbed my jacket, and headed out.
The phone buzzed again.
"…What now?" I muttered, answering. "Listening, Mr. Silius."
"So formal. Come to my office."
"Is it urgent? I have plans."
"With Storik?"
"Yes."
"Perfect. That's exactly what I need. Stop by first. Won't take more than five minutes."
"…I'm coming."
"What's so urgent?" I asked, stepping inside.
"Sit."
I dropped onto the couch.
Reluctantly.
"Want a drink?"
"I want to know what you need this time and leave."
"I need you to feel him out," he said, setting his papers aside.
"…Feel him out?" I frowned. "This about Andrew?"
"Yes. Directly about Teacher Storik."
He handed me a can of soda and sat across from me.
"I want him on my side."
"For what?"
"For changing the structure of the closed world. Specials. Corrupted."
I let out a short laugh.
"Ambitious."
He didn't react.
"So," I leaned forward slightly, "what exactly do you want from Andrew?"