The morning light filtered through the heavy curtains, casting a muted glow over the room. I woke up with a sense of unease, the events of the previous night replaying in my mind like an endless loop. Liam's words, the way he had looked at me — it all felt like a tangled web I couldn't untangle.
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I sat up in bed, rubbing my eyes, trying to shake the exhaustion from my body. It had been a restless night, and I was far from ready to face the day. But there was no avoiding it. No matter how much I wanted to curl up and pretend it didn't exist, I knew that today was another step deeper into this dangerous game.
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I glanced at the clock on the nightstand, its digital display flashing 7:30 AM. I had an hour before I was expected to meet with Riven. The thought of it made my stomach twist. I wasn't ready for whatever confrontation he had in mind.
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Riven was unpredictable. His moods, his expectations — it was like walking on a razor's edge. But somehow, I was always drawn back to him. I couldn't explain it, but I couldn't deny it either.
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The sound of knocking broke my thoughts. I turned toward the door, expecting Noah, but instead, it was Liam standing in the doorway. His presence was overwhelming, and I felt my heart skip a beat. He looked as cold as ever, his eyes betraying nothing as he studied me.
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"Riven wants to see you," Liam said, his voice flat, detached. "You're to meet him in the conference room in twenty minutes."
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I nodded, the tightness in my chest growing with each word he spoke. I hadn't seen Riven all morning, and I couldn't help but wonder what he wanted from me now. Whatever it was, it wouldn't be simple.
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Liam stood there for a moment longer, his eyes lingering on me, but I couldn't read them. There was something different about him today — a subtle shift that I couldn't quite place. But it didn't matter. I wasn't here to figure out Liam's problems. I was here to survive.
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"Is there something else?" I asked, breaking the silence.
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Liam's lips curled into a small, humorless smile. "No. Just be careful. Riven's mood is volatile. You never know what he's thinking."
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I gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "I'm always careful."
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With that, Liam turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing in the hallway. I couldn't help but feel the weight of his words pressing down on me. He was right, of course. Riven was unpredictable, dangerous even, and I was caught in the middle of it all.
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I quickly dressed, trying to focus on the task ahead. There was no room for hesitation. No room for weakness. Not when I was dealing with people like Riven and Liam.
---
By the time I entered the conference room, Riven was already there, sitting at the head of the table with his usual air of dominance. His eyes flicked up to meet mine, and I couldn't help but notice the subtle flicker of something in his gaze. It was hard to tell whether it was approval or something else entirely.
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"You're late," Riven said, his voice low and smooth, like the purr of a predator.
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I didn't answer immediately. Instead, I took my seat at the opposite end of the table, keeping my posture straight and my face neutral. I wasn't going to let him see how much his presence affected me.
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"I'm sorry," I finally said, though I knew it wouldn't matter. Apologies didn't mean much in this world. "What did you want to discuss?"
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Riven leaned back in his chair, studying me with those dark, unreadable eyes. "You've been keeping your distance lately. I don't appreciate that."
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I felt my chest tighten at his words. He was right, I had been keeping my distance. Not just from him, but from everything. This whole world was becoming too suffocating, and I didn't know how much longer I could hold my breath.
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"I'm just trying to focus on the work," I said, keeping my tone steady.
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"Work?" Riven repeated, a slow, mocking smile curling at the corners of his mouth. "Is that really all it is, Riven? Work?" He leaned forward, his gaze intense. "Or is it something more?"
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I held his gaze, refusing to back down. "What are you implying?"
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Riven chuckled softly, the sound low and dark. "I'm not implying anything. I'm just stating the facts. You've been acting distant, and I don't like it. If you're going to be here, in my world, you'll need to learn how to play the game. All of it. Not just the parts that suit you."
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His words stung, more than I cared to admit. But I wasn't going to let him see that. "I'm here because I have no choice," I said, my voice colder than I intended. "And I'll play by the rules… but only as long as it serves me."
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Riven's smile faltered, just slightly, but it was enough to make my heart race. For the first time, I felt like I had the upper hand — even if it was only for a moment.
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"Is that so?" Riven's voice dropped an octave, his eyes narrowing. "Well, you'll find that the rules can change. And when they do, you'll have no choice but to follow."
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I didn't respond. I didn't need to. The warning in his voice was enough. But I couldn't help but feel a flicker of something inside me — a strange mixture of fear and excitement.
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Riven stood, his movements smooth and calculated. "We'll see how long that attitude lasts," he said, his voice dripping with menace.
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I watched him leave, the door slamming behind him with finality. The tension in the room was palpable, like the calm before a storm.
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And as I sat there, alone in the aftermath of our exchange, I couldn't help but wonder just how much longer I could keep playing this dangerous game.
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[End of Chapter 13]
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