Chapter 23
Matteo
Classes drag. I should care, but all I can think about is the next trial.
Leo called it the Trial of Loyalty.
“Words are your weapon. And your ruin. What do you say when silence is betrayal? What do you protect, and who do you sacrifice?”
Marco sits on the bed, peeling tape from his knuckles. Training’s over. No sign of Aoife; she should’ve been there. Maybe I’ll text her later.
“Are you ready for the trial?” Marco asks.
“As ready as I can be, since I have no idea what the hell’s coming.” My knuckles sting, still raw from drills.
“It means someone’s about to find out if they’re expendable,” Milo says from across the room, flicking his knife open and shut.
I stay quiet. This trial won’t use fists. It’ll use hearts. And hearts break louder than bones.
Marco leans forward. “So… how long are we pretending there’s no problem?”
I lift a brow. “What problem?”
He laughs once. “Don’t play dumb. Aoife.” He’s always the first to remind me she’s off-limits.
Milo braces his elbows on his knees. “You’re in too deep, man. Step back before you drown.”
They’re right. What I’m doing puts everyone, especially her, at risk.
“I’ve tried,” I mutter. “I’m fucking trying, alright?”
“Not hard enough if she’s still in your bed,” Marco snaps.
I bite my lip and shake my head, drag a hand through my hair. “It’s not just sex.”
That shuts them both up and for Milo, silence means something. “I can’t explain it. Not touching her during the day. Not talking to her in public. Watching her walk past me like I’m nothing while I’m burning inside.” My voice cracks. “I hate it. I fucking hate it.”
“Then what?” Marco shoots back. “Are you ready to throw it all away for her?”
“I don’t know,” I snap. “But I can’t stop. I don’t want anyone else. Every other girl feels static. Even talking to them feels wrong, like I’m cheating on something that isn’t mine to begin with.” I think of the girl who touched my chest the other day. My skin burned like it was warning me off.
“You’re not supposed to have anything to betray,” Milo mutters. “That’s the problem.” His knife clicks again, sharp, steady, like he’s tapping my guilt.
I nod once. “Yeah. Too late for that.”
Silence stretches.
Marco exhales. “You’re an idiot.”
And then it hits me there’s something I want more than power. More than revenge.
Her.
But if I choose her… a war will begin.
“I take it you’re heading to the roof?” Marco rolls his eyes already knowing the answer. “You keep sinning, we’ll all end up in hell with you.” He heads out through Rosa’s room, muttering under his breath.
“Why don’t you hate me?” I ask.
