I look at him, skeptical. “Impressed by what? That I haven’t burst into tears yet during this conversation or flung myself out of a window during training on accident?”
“Nah,” he says, laughing. “That you’re still here. Most people wouldn’t last two weeks at SinVail without a power, let alone throw themselves into combat training for fun.”
I shrug. “Being sinless kind of sucks. Everyone either ignores you, pities you, or assumes you’re about to explode into some terrifying monster any second.”
“Spicy take,” he says, lips twitching. “But I can see how most sheep here would act that way.”
“And don’t get me started on the whispers. I walk into a room, and I’m the headline on the morning gossip scroll—Tragic Sinless Girl Probably Doomed to Die Alone in the Wastes.”
Ryker lets out a genuine laugh, and for a second, the cocky mask drops. “You should brand that. Sell t-shirts.”
“Right,” I snort. “Because being the academy charity case is so marketable.”
He glances sideways at me as we walk, his voice softer now. “For what it’s worth… I don’t think you’re tragic. Just underestimated.”
And that—that—catches me off guard. Ryker Blaise, king of parties and heir to everything shiny, just threw me a genuine compliment. I open my mouth to reply but come up empty.
“Don’t look so shocked. I have layers. Like an expensive cake.” He smirks and winks.
“Oh, yeah?” I raise an eyebrow. “And what’s under all that frosting?”
His grin goes full charm offensive. “Wouldn’t you like to find out?”
I roll my eyes, but I’m smiling.Damn him.
We’re just walking now—toward nowhere in particular—and I’m trying not to read too much into how easy this feels. Ryker Blaise isn’t what I expected. He’s flirty, sure, but there’s a charm to him that doesn’t feel entirely fake.
Then he hits me with it.
“So,” he says, voice smooth as silk, “you wanna hang out sometime? Just the two of us?”
I stop walking. Just like that. My brain stutters.
“Wait, seriously?” I ask, half-laughing. “You’re asking me out?”
He shrugs, looking way too casual about it. “Why not?”
I blink at him. “Okay… not to be rude, but you’re Ryker Blaise. You could literally snap your fingers and have a line of people at this academy throwing themselves at your feet. So, forgive me if I’m a little skeptical that you’re suddenly interested in the sinless girl who just got roasted in front of the entire courtyard.”
He grins. “Yeah, that’s exactly why I’m interested.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Because I’m a social pariah?”
“No,” he chuckles. “Because you didn’t back down. You stood there, chin up, taking all that crap and didn’t flinch. You didn’t cry, yell, fight… didn’t crumble. That’s rare around here.”
I narrow my eyes. “Still sounds like there’s a catch.”
He hesitates for a second, then tilts his head. “Look, I’ll be honest. I am fascinated with you. You’re a mystery. And yeah, it’s probably weird because we haven’t crossed paths before now—but maybe that changes. Maybe I can even help you.”
“Oh?” I cross my arms. “Help how?”
“You already know my father is on the Council. Head of the Greed faction. He has pull—a lot of it. Say the word, and I can make sure no one messes with you again. Protection like that doesn’t come easy around here.”
Okay, now it makes sense.I feel my walls go up fast and hard.
“Right,” I drawl. “And what’s the cost?”
He smiles, but there’s something sharper behind it. “You’re smart. I like that.”
