It was my first time in the elite dorms.
Impressive didn't even begin to cover it.
The difference was obvious in every detail—but I wasn't here to admire any of it.
I was here because I had no way out.
If this man turned out to be useless…
I raised my hand and knocked.
The door opened almost immediately.
There he was.
Cold. Arrogant. Exactly like the rumors said.
And worse.
Was this even worth it?
"Wauzer? What brings you to the Special dorms?"
I had just opened my mouth when Robert stepped out from behind him.
"Matthew?" he said, surprised.
For a second, I almost asked what the hell Torent was doing in an elite's room—
then I saw her.
Kristina Vilis.
I didn't know what the hell got into Torent, but he'd signed himself up as her personal bodyguard.
That alone was enough to bring me here.
She was always around Silius.
If Robert had made a move like that—something completely out of character—then Clyde had far more control than I'd thought.
"Hey, Robert. I've got personal business."
"What kind of personal business?" he frowned.
"Kristina, take Torent and leave," Clyde said coldly.
She didn't like it.
That much was obvious.
But she didn't argue.
Just shot him a sharp, irritated look and walked out.
"Everyone's got secrets," Robert muttered as he brushed past me.
"Come in," Clyde said.
Same tone.
Cold.
Flat.
"Sit."
He gestured toward the chair across the table.
I stepped forward—
and stayed on my feet.
"You came to ask about Holivan?" he said.
"I know where he is," I replied.
No point dragging it out.
"Oh?" A faint smirk.
"I know where he is, how long he'll be there—and that he's supposed to die within a week."
"You're well informed," Clyde said.
Calm.
Too calm.
But I saw it.
That flicker.
Barely there—
but real.
Concern.
"You want me to save him?"
"You could say that," I said. "But first, answer me something—why did he agree to become your personal bodyguard? And why has Storik suddenly gotten so close to you? Everyone knows how much he hates aristocrats."
Clyde didn't answer.
Just watched me.
Seconds passed.
Too many.
He looked relaxed.
Almost bored.
But the pressure in the room—
it kept building.
Slow.
Heavy.
Suffocating.
He wasn't just dangerous.
He was worse than that.
I knew the difference.
I'd spent years in underground fights.
You learn fast—who's bluffing, who's hesitating, who's about to break you.
Clyde Silius didn't hesitate.
"Why do you need that information?" he asked at last.
"I'm cornered," I said. "What I do next—or don't—depends on it."
"…Fair," he said, leaning back. "You give me something, I give you something."
A pause.
"Let's keep it simple. Alan's goals line up with mine. Same with Storik."
"That's not enough," I said, sharper now. "Who are you? Why would someone like Storik—one of the strongest Specials—choose to follow you? Why would Torent—who wouldn't even look at a bodyguard contract—suddenly sign up under you?"
I pushed it out anyway.
"…What are you planning? A coup?"
Clyde laughed.
Quiet.
Short.
No warmth in it.
I shifted back without meaning to.
The pressure sharpened.
"What if I said yes?"
"Then I'd assume you've got the power to pull it off."
"And how does that help you?" he asked. "What do you want from me?"
"I want you to protect my sister."
A beat.
"Her safety—and Alan's life—are tied together."
"You've been ordered to kill Holivan."
Not a question.
He already knew.
"For my sister," I said, "I'll do anything."
"But you can't bring yourself to kill him."
"I will," I said. "If it comes down to her. I meant what I said."
A pause.
"But you haven't moved," Clyde said quietly. "Which means you don't want him dead."
"…I like him," I admitted. "Alan's not like us. He's different."
A breath.
"He doesn't belong in this filth."
"You're asking for a one-time deal?" Clyde said. "I protect your sister, you don't try to kill him?"
He leaned forward slightly.
"What's stopping me from snapping your neck right now and solving this faster?"
Not a bluff.
Not even close.
He could do it.
I knew he could.
And that—
that was worse than anything I'd faced in the pits.
"If you kill me," I said, forcing the words out, "they'll send someone else."
"True," Clyde said. "But even if I help you—others will come anyway."
"I don't want a one-time deal," I said. "I want my sister out of this. Completely. Safe. Somewhere no one can touch her."
A pause.
"I can be useful to you."
Now he smiled.
Sharp.
Predatory.
"Now that's an actual offer."
He leaned back again.
"But what happens when I give you an order you can't carry out?" he asked. "You go running to someone else again?"
"I don't think you will," I said.
"If Alan trusts you—if he threw away that kind of reward for you—then you're not like the rest."
I held his gaze.
"I'm willing to bet on that."
"And you're willing to become someone's personal bodyguard?"
"…Yeah."
"Good."
A beat.
"What do you know?"
I handed him the message I'd received that morning from Marcus Holivan.
A photo.
My sister.
My mother.
Her new boyfriend.
An address.
A school.
Details.
Coordinates.
Blocking's academy.
At the bottom—
a message:
You have exactly seven days to fulfill our agreement. Otherwise, your sister won't have the most pleasant future. A buyer has already been found.
Clyde crushed the note in his hand.
"So Marcus Holivan still hasn't learned," he said, a thin, dangerous smile pulling at his lips. "Good."
A pause.
"Then let's play."
He looked at me.
"Go."
"I'll handle it. Three days—no, four. I'll contact you. This needs to be clean. No loose ends."
"What are you planning?" I asked.
"First," he said calmly, "we strip your mother of custody. Then assign a new guardian. After that—we move your sister somewhere safe."
A pause.
"Before that, you sign a contract with one of my people. The girl gets a new life. New school. New name."
My chest tightened.
"You'll still be able to see her," he added. "But if you actually want her safe—stay away for a couple of years."
"…I understand."
"Before she's taken, you'll get a few hours with her," he said. "That's all."
I swallowed.
This was real.
There was no going back now.
He was worse than Holivan Sr.
I knew that much.
And I was still choosing him.
…I just hope I didn't destroy everything.