The final bell rang. The hallways of the school erupted in noise—laughter, shouting, bags slamming shut. Section E dashed around, but I was already moving toward the gate. I kept my steps light, pretending I was just another student leaving class, but my mind was racing.
Keifer fell into step beside me, smirking. "You didn't even glance at your last test. Are you skipping homework now too?"
I rolled my eyes, keeping my pace. "Someone has to leave the chaos behind before it follows me home."
Outside, the sunlight hit me like a glare. I pulled out my phone. Mason had texted earlier, something cryptic:
"Check the base. S & J files. Important."
I bit back a sigh. He never sent just casual messages. This one meant business.
On the way home
Traffic, honking cars, people bumping past—I kept my focus sharp. My fingers tapped the screen. Another message from Mason:
"You're ready. But be careful. The target list isn't what it seems. Only you know the truth for now."
I froze mid-step. My stomach tightened. Target list?
The rest of the school day faded away. Rory and Blaster probably were still arguing over who got the last snack in the cafeteria. Cin was likely bowing dramatically to imaginary idols. I didn't have time for that right now.
By the time I reached the safe base, I was the first one there. Mason was waiting, leaning against the wall with that calm, unreadable expression he always wore. He gestured to a small table. A single sheet of paper and a phone lay neatly on it.
"Priority List — Targets: J. Fernandes & Keifer [REDACTED]"
I picked up the paper, my heart skipping a beat. My name. Keifer's. Side by side.
Assigned: YuriIncentive: Clan Restoration. Maternal Pardon. Deadline: Immediate
I glanced at Mason. "This… this is real."
He nodded grimly. "Real as it gets. I pulled it off a dead server. Whoever signed it has enough power to back this up. And they're not playing around."
My mind was spinning. "Yuri… he wouldn't do it. He's… not like that."
Mason's eyes darkened. "He might not want to. But the leverage is clear: his clan and his mother. That's the leash. If they pressure him enough…"
I swallowed, gripping the edge of the table. "And if he refuses?"
Mason slid another sheet forward. Three code names, neat and black:
NightingaleBlackthornMercury
"Backup executioners. If Yuri refuses, these three step in. No questions, no mercy."
I looked at the names. Sharp. Clean. Cold.
"They think giving him a choice makes them clean," I muttered. "It doesn't."
Mason's voice softened. "Jay… you've waited for this. You've known it could come. You're ready, right?"
I smiled, the kind that didn't reach my eyes. "I've been waiting my whole life. Let them try."
He gave a small nod. "I'll stall the backups for now. But Jay… this isn't a game anymore. Be careful."
I picked up the phone again, reading the message one more time. Incentive: clan restoration, maternal pardon… They were using Yuri like a weapon. A weapon pointed at me.
"They're not ready," I muttered, a fire lighting inside me. "They don't know who they're dealing with yet."
I left the base, walking into the sun. The school chaos seemed distant, almost laughable. The real war was just beginning.
And I was ready for it.
(a/n: i am going to post 1 more chapter very soon ❤️😍)