Gideon's invitation promised safety. It delivered danger.
The message came the morning after we discovered Jenna's betrayal, arriving as I sat in my dorm room with weak sunlight filtering through the blinds. Formal. Polite. Completely reasonable on the surface.
Miss Bennett,
I understand there's been some unfortunate tension between us. I'd like to clear the air. No manipulation. No games. Just a honest conversation and perhaps a friendly sparring session to work through the aggression constructively.
The council has approved the use of Arena Seven for private training this evening. Neutral ground. Supervised. Completely above board.
I hope you'll accept. I believe we both need closure.
Respectfully, Gideon Wicke
I read it three times, looking for the trap. For the hidden manipulation. The paper was crisp between my fingers, smelling faintly of expensive cologne and ink.
But it seemed genuine. Council approved. Supervised. Neutral ground.
Everything I'd asked for.
