Isadora’s POV

It was much colder at night than during the day. Not only the cold on my skin but also how it would tighten inside me whenever someone stared at me for too long. Whenever I noticed Rafael watching me. Whenever Caio’s smirk appeared in a shadow.

I pulled the laces on my boots tight for the third time and stood by the obstacle yard like a ghost no one saw. That was the whole idea, wasn’t it? Try to fit in and be quiet. Try not to breathe loudly or walk quickly. Don’t slip. Don’t bleed.

Yet, tonight, I had someone with me.

“Late-night stroll?”

I sat up quickly, my fists tightly clenched. Caio Duarte stood by the fence as if he were in charge of the universe. The moonlight made his mechanical leg shine silver, and the reflections it cast looked jagged on the frozen ground. His eyes were darker than normal, and they seemed to know things that made you feel uneasy.

I didn’t think you were the kind to sneak around, I said, keeping my voice low.

He looked at me with a tilted head. Everyone is trying to get an advantage here. The main challenge is to be good at what you do.

I gritted my teeth. “I prefer to train by myself.”

“Mm. Perhaps it’s simpler to lie when nobody is around to see us.

I flinched. His smirk grew wider as if he’d spotted something he wanted. He moved a little closer, and everything around us faded away, leaving only the predator and me.

He whispered, “You’re good.” “Very good. The limp. The voice. You look similar to your brother, but not so much that it’s obvious. However, you overlooked something.

I moved back. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, I do, Isadora Valez.” He said my name with ease, but it sounded like a cruel poison. Or perhaps I should say, Isaac?”

I could not breathe. The world seemed to tip over. He knew.

He knew.

“How long?” I whispered.

“Long enough to realize you’re on a very dangerous path,” Caio said, pretending to brush dust from his coat. Long enough to realize Rafael is starting to look at you differently. It’s quite dangerous, isn’t it? Allowing someone like him to see just a little of who you are.”

I tried to ignore my fear, but it still hurt as it went down.

“What is your goal?” I asked.

He smiled, but it wasn’t a friendly smile. I want to be called by a name. That’s good enough for me. The contract with the Obsidian Syndicate was signed by me at the bottom.”

My heart was pounding. “Marriage?”

“To whomever I decide,” he said in a relaxed manner. “Symbolic. Political. Convenient. You are now under my control. I will never reveal your secret. Everyone’s happy.”

“I’m not.”

“Well, then. You have two days to decide if you want to go through with it.”

I felt my hands trembling. “What if I don’t?”

He moved a little closer. His breath touched my face. “I pull your mask off right in the cafeteria.”

“You wouldn’t.”

He replied, “I would.” I don’t bluff, Isa. This academy? It’s a terrible place. You can either control it, or it will prevent you.

He turned and threw something over his shoulder. I was able to catch it. A metal pin—it bears the Syndicate’s crest. Black enamel. Razor-edged.

“Put it on when you’re ready to be with me.”

I stayed in the same place for a long period. I just stood there, my heart pounding and my hands gripping the sharp edges of his knife.

Then, .Isaac?”

I whirled. Rafael.

He was tired, with his sleeves rolled up and his eyes searching the darkness. I thought I spotted someone outside.

I quickly put the pin into my pocket. “Just... breathing.”

He moved closer and frowned. “You okay? You seem a bit shaken.”

I tried to look happy. “Just tired.”

He didn’t agree, but he didn’t try to convince her. Instead, he leaned over and brushed something from my shoulder. A leaf? No. A reason to be close to me.

“I know we haven’t always agreed on everything,” he said. “But you’ve been acting differently these days.”

“Different, how?”

“More real.”

I turned to look at him. Looked. His eyelashes were wet from the cold. His voice was quieter than it usually is. He wasn’t making fun of me. He wasn’t upset. He was concerned.

That was more frightening to me than anything Caio ever did.

I said quietly, “I should leave now,” and walked away.

“Isaac”

But I had already left.

The following day was a nightmare.

Every corridor seemed like a place for performance: every action was a risk. Caio didn’t speak, but I could tell he was watching me from the other side of the dining hall, counting down with his fingers.

Two days.

I only had two days.

After that, it was time for training.

Combat trials. Public. Brutal.

The matchup is between Isaac Valez and Caio Duarte.

I froze.

Caio was smiling from the other side of the field as he began to stretch. The hissing of his mechanical leg could be heard as he bent. The people around us cheered loudly, not realizing what was at risk. For them, it was nothing special.

I felt like the pressure was increasing.

“You look a bit pale,” he said when we met in the center ring.

“Screw you.”

He grinned. “You’ll have your moment.”

The game began.

He was quick, but I was even quicker, despite having a metal leg for some time. I dodged, turned, and hit him in the ribs. The crowd applauded. I could hear Rafael shouting from the other room.

Caio’s elbow hit me on the side, right where the bandages were. My ribs were on fire with pain. I was shocked, fell down, and quickly got back up.

He whispered, “You’re starting to slip.”

I hit him in the jaw with my fist. The crowd cheered loudly. Blood was smeared across his lip. He laughed.

He then swept my leg.

I fell to the ground with a thud. Dazed. Chest burning. My shirt ripped a bit, but it was enough to reveal a bit of white underneath.

Caio froze.

His fingers were just above my throat.

His mouth moved as he spoke, just a single word.

“Checkmate.”

He then stepped back, his eyes shining, and looked at the referee.

“Yield.”

The bell sounded. Gasps. Whispers.

“What made him decide to quit?”

“Did Isaac frighten him?”

“What was that all about?”

I felt like I couldn’t get any air. I couldn’t stand it. Rafael appeared beside me and helped me to my feet.

“You’re in pain,” he said, his voice sounding rough.

“I’m okay,” I managed to say.

“You’re not.” His fingers lightly touched my side. “You’re bleeding.”

“Don’t come near me,” I said, feeling my panic increase.

He stepped away as if I had hurt him. A brief look of pain appeared on his face.

I’m only trying to assist.

I turned my head. “Don’t.”

He didn’t come after me as I left the field.

That night, I lay on my cot in the dorm, looking up at the ceiling.

Two days is not enough. One now.

Everyone was paying attention.

Caio had taken action.

It was now my chance to speak.

But what could I possibly do?

My secret was not protected. Rafael was in danger. Nothing was protected.

I held the Syndicate pin and looked at it.

Cold. Sharp.

My name is hanging from a chain.

I wasn’t able to wear it. I couldn’t get by without it.

I need God’s help.

I was starting to think that this place might kill me before Caio had a chance to do anything.