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Riele walked the halls of the academy with her senses on high alert, blending in as much as possible. As "Felix," she knew she had to navigate the social landscape cautiously, especially around Jace Moretti. She had observed him from a distance—his sharp eyes always analyzing, his presence both magnetic and intimidating. Getting close to him wouldn't be easy.
A week into school, Riele spotted Jace alone in the library, his attention absorbed by a thick book. Taking a deep breath, she walked over, feigning nonchalance as she pulled out a random book from the same shelf.
"You like that author?" she asked casually, glancing over.
Jace looked up, slightly surprised, but he recovered quickly, his gaze assessing. "Yeah. Didn't expect anyone else around here to know him."
Riele shrugged. "Guess you don't know everyone yet."
There was a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. "Guess not. You're… Felix, right?"
"Yeah." She held his gaze, a slight smirk on her face. "I heard you're good at chess. Thought I'd challenge you sometime."
His eyebrow quirked. "Confident, aren't you?"
"Just enough." She leaned back, feigning ease while internally keeping her guard up. She knew she couldn't push too hard yet, but the spark of interest in his eyes was enough to tell her she was on the right track.
From that day, Riele made small, calculated moves. She'd cross paths with Jace more frequently, share the occasional conversation, and subtly show her knowledge in ways that caught his attention. The walls he built around himself were strong, but she could sense tiny cracks forming each time they spoke.
One evening, Riele spotted him alone on the rooftop, a secluded place only a few students knew about. She had gone there to clear her mind, not expecting to see anyone else, let alone Jace.
"Didn't think anyone else came up here," she said, stepping onto the rooftop as the cool evening breeze brushed against her face.
Jace looked at her, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes before his expression returned to its usual calm. "Needed some air," he replied, his voice almost a whisper against the backdrop of the city lights.
They stood in silence, the weight of the unspoken filling the air between them. The tension was almost tangible, but Riele wasn't sure if it was due to her mission or something else entirely. She hadn't planned to feel this… drawn to him. It was a complication she didn't need.
Breaking the silence, Jace turned to her, his gaze suddenly intense. "Why do you keep hanging around me, Felix? Most people don't."
Riele's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected him to call her out so directly. "Maybe I just think you're interesting," she replied with a casual shrug, hoping to hide the slight tremor in her voice.
"Interesting?" He looked away, almost as if he was debating whether to believe her. "You should be careful who you get close to. Not everyone is… safe."
Riele felt a chill run down her spine. Was he onto her? Or was he simply warning her away, sensing her true intentions?
Before she could respond, a shadow moved across the rooftop entrance. Another figure stepped into the dim light—a senior from Jace's notorious circle, someone known for keeping an eye on him. His gaze flickered between Riele and Jace, his expression unreadable.
"We need to go," the senior said, his voice low and firm.
Jace nodded, casting one last unreadable look in Riele's direction before turning away.
"See you around, Felix," he said, his tone carrying an edge of mystery.
Riele watched him leave, her mind racing. That look, that warning—was he hinting at something, or was this just another layer of his guarded nature? She clenched her fists, a strange mix of excitement and dread building within her. This mission was proving to be more dangerous—and intriguing—than she had anticipated.