Chapter 17 - Lines I Cannot See

Three days felt like both an eternity and a blink.

I spent most of them pacing, training, drinking an ungodly amount of coffee, and spiraling internally in at least seven different directions.

Accepting the system's offer could mean stability, protection, and maybe—just maybe—survival. But it could also mean chains, surveillance, and losing myself piece by piece until I became nothing more than their tool.

Refusing meant running, constant danger, and possibly dragging Elren into the flames with me.

I hated that I even had to consider which cage to choose.

-----

Elren didn't pressure me.

He trained me, he stayed near me, but he never once asked which door I would walk through.

I almost wanted him to. I wanted him to tell me what to do, to make it easier.

But that wasn't who he was.

His silence was its own kind of loyalty.

The only thing he said was: "Whichever path you choose, I will stay."

No conditions. No fine print.

Just… there.

And somehow, that made it harder.

-----

When the third day arrived, Vance returned with a transport vehicle.

No one else. No Director Seraphine this time. Just him and a sealed envelope.

"We're not forcing you. Yet."

"Wow, thanks for the generous breathing room."

"You have to come in and declare your decision."

"Of course. Wouldn't want to miss a chance to walk voluntarily into a potential cage."

Elren moved to follow me into the transport, but Vance blocked him.

"She comes alone. Orders."

Elren's jaw tensed. "She's mine to protect."

Vance didn't flinch. "Orders."

"Let him come," I said quickly. "He won't attack anyone."

"Not my call."

Vance and Elren stared each other down, tension crackling like static between them.

"Okay, I'll come with you alone," I relented. Then I looked at Elren, meeting his sharp gaze. "I'll be fine."

Elren gave me a long, unreadable look. "You must."

But his hand hovered near his blade as I stepped into the vehicle.

Why do I feel like this is the last time I'll see him as just my bodyguard?

-----

The system headquarters was sterile and cold, the walls too white, the corridors too quiet.

Vance led me through metal detectors and ID checkpoints, though none of it seemed to apply to me. I didn't have an official ledger, after all. I wasn't officially supposed to exist here.

That didn't stop them from cataloging me with every passing scan.

We entered a glass-paneled conference room where Seraphine was waiting, a steaming cup of coffee in front of her.

I arched an eyebrow. "You drink coffee now?"

"It helps me tolerate certain conversations."

"Wow. I'm honored to be in the 'tolerated' category."

"Sit."

"You know, you could work on your people skills."

"This is not a negotiation."

"Could have fooled me."

I sat, crossing my arms as I stared her down.

"Your decision?"

"I want three things."

Her eyes narrowed. "You're bargaining?"

"Of course. I never said I'd accept unconditionally."

"What are your terms?"

"First: I choose my own team."

"Denied."

"I'm not working alone."

"You will be assigned a handler."

"Fine, but I choose my field partner."

"You may not choose Elren Vayne."

"Then I'm not agreeing."

"That is not an option."

"It is for me. You want me? He comes with me."

"He is compromised."

"Compromised how? By seeing me as a person?"

"Precisely."

"Then I'm even more convinced I need him."

"The system does not approve."

"Then the system doesn't get me."

Seraphine's lips pressed into a thin line. "You are not in a position to demand."

"I am in a position to walk out that door."

The silence stretched between us, heavy with a dangerous tension.

"You will be under increased supervision."

"Obviously."

"And you will be separated when necessary."

"Try it."

"We will."

"Then I'll fight that too."

She studied me, her fingers drumming against the table.

"Fine. Elren Vayne remains your assigned handler and field partner. For now."

"Good."

"Your second condition?"

"I want access to outworlder records."

"Denied."

"Then no deal."

"Limited access. Conditional."

"Obviously."

"Your third?"

"I want the right to refuse missions where I am used as bait."

"Denied. Missions are mandatory. If you refuse, there will be consequences."

"Fine. But if I have to complete those missions, I'll do it on my own terms."

"You will regret that."

"Possibly. But I'll fight you on it either way."

...

We finally signed the formal agreement.

"Welcome to the system."

Welcome to the cage, you mean.

-----

When I returned to Elren, he was waiting by the entrance, silent but sharp-eyed.

"So?"

"I accepted."

His jaw tensed but he didn't say anything.

"They didn't want you as my partner."

"Of course."

"I said no deal unless you stayed."

"And? They accepted?"

"They agreed. For now."

"They will separate us later."

"Then they'll have to drag me away."

His lips twitched faintly. "Obviously."

"You're not going to disappear, right?"

"Of course."

"You'll keep protecting me?"

"Obviously."

"Even if I'm in a dangerous cage now?"

"You will not be caged. Not while I'm here."

Oh no. That hit harder than it should have.

"Then, I'll be in your care now, partner."

"Obviously."

As I walked away, I couldn't help but wonder if the lines I just crossed were visible to anyone but me.