Page 115 of The Bleak Beginning

I meet his gaze, offering nothing but an indifferent tilt of my head. “What exactly are you proposing?” I keep my tone even, uninterested.

His smirk doesn’t falter. He steps back just enough to look me over, sizing me up like I’m some sort of puzzle to solve. “An alliance, of sorts,” he murmurs, his voice smooth, almost coaxing. “You clearly need protection tonight. And I… well, let’s just say I have my own reasons for wanting to keep you close.”

An alliance with a Legacy? The idea makes my stomach twist. Everything I’ve been taught at Altair screams against it. I don’t trust him—not with the way he’s so closely tied to Bishop, and certainly not with the way his eyes never seem to leave me.

“And what exactly would this alliance entail?” I ask, my curiosity creeping in despite myself.

His smile deepens, and his voice lowers further, like he’s letting me in on some secret. “It’s simple. I protect you for the rest of the night, and in return, you help me with a... personal project I’ve got going.”

The cryptic nature of his words sparks a flicker of interest. But I quickly remind myself that curiosity doesn’t mean I trust him. Not for a second.

“What kind of project?” I ask, not able to stop myself from leaning in, just slightly.

Sylvester’s smile widens, and a mischievous glint dances in his eyes. “Now, now, Alex. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. First, you need to decide if you’re in or out.”

I bite my lip, deliberating. His usual lighthearted eyes seem darker now, more intense, mirroring the night around us.

“What if I say no?” I ask, testing him, testing my own resolve.

His expression sharpens, a flicker of something dangerous passing through his gaze. The playful air is gone, replaced by something more serious, more threatening. “Then you’re on your own,” he says, his voice dropping to a rumble. “And trust me, Alex, you don’t want to be alone in this place. Not with what’s coming.”

I feel the weight of his words, but my resolve doesn’t waver. Sylvester might think he’s got me cornered, but I’m not about to give him what he wants. Not yet.

“What’s coming?” I ask, my voice steady despite the unease building in my chest.

Sylvester’s expression hardens for a moment, a flash of something dark flickering in his eyes. But just as quickly, it’s gone—replaced by that signature, alluring smile. “Do we have a deal or not?”

Saying no is what I want to do. Turning my back on him and sprinting, or just pushing him away, is what I should do. But there's a pull inside me, a mixture of curiosity and fear, but mainly curiosity that urges me to take a deep breath. The space around us seems to shrink, and the choice feels more burdensome than it should be.

I steel myself. “Okay. I’m in.”

Sylvester’s eyes flash with triumph, and his smile widens, smug and knowing. “Excellent choice,” he purrs, his hand moving to cup my cheek in a way that feels more possessive than it should.

I keep my tone even, trying not to let his proximity throw me off. “So, what now?”

“Now,” Sylvester hums, tone thick with intent, “we seal the deal.”

Before I can process his words, his lips are on mine—soft, but insistent. For a split second, I’m too stunned to react, the shock freezing me in place. But then, I find myself kissing him back, though it’s more out of reflex than desire. My hands grip the lapels of his jacket, pulling him closer, but it feels mechanical, like I’m simply going through the motions.

His kiss deepens, his hands moving with certainty. There's a brief flutter in my chest—quick, almost imperceptible—but it’s fleeting, nothing more than a passing thought.

Sylvester, on the other hand, seems to lose himself in the kiss, his intensity rising, as if this is everything he’s been waiting for. But me? I’m already thinking about what comes next, and how this—whatever this is—has nothing to do with what I really want.WhoI really want.

When we finally break apart, I’m left breathless, but the feeling is hollow, distant. Sylvester’s eyes are dark with satisfaction, his lips still curled into a knowing grin.

He traces his thumb over my lower lip, his touch light yet possessive. “Consider it sealed,” he says, his voice rich with a quiet triumph.

I nod, not trusting myself to say anything. Was I stupid for making a deal like this with a Legacy?

As if reading my thoughts, Sylvester’s expression softens slightly. “Don’t overthink it,” he says, his tone oddly soothing. “You’ve made the right choice.”

Have I?

I don’t have a chance to ask the question that’s been on my mind before he bends down and effortlessly unties one of the flags wrapped around my ankle.

“For safekeeping,” he says with a wink, tucking the flag into his pocket. “A little memento of our new arrangement.”

“What exactly does this arrangement entail?” I ask, trying to regain some semblance of control.

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