★ THE BOLTER ★
A DANGEROUS ALLIANCE

the following days passed in a haze of silence. Nerina buried herself in her studies, keeping to the quieter corners of the Akademiya, away from the curious glances of her peers. She had always preferred solitude-it was safer, easier. But she couldn't escape the fact that something had shifted.

Zandik's presence was an odd weight on her mind, pulling her focus even when he wasn't around. She hadn't seen him again, though she was certain he would find some way to cross her path once more. It was only a matter of time.

The truth was, Nerina wasn't sure if she wanted to see him again-or if she'd prefer never to lay eyes on him. There was something about his unpredictability that both intrigued and unsettled her. She couldn't quite decide if it was safer to avoid him, or if the risk of his attention might be worth the opportunity to finally understand her curse, and perhaps even herself.

It was on the fourth day, as she was immersed in a particularly difficult set of leyline equations, that she heard footsteps approaching.

"Nerina," the voice said again, low and smooth, but this time with a hint of purpose.

She didn't need to look up to know it was Zandik. His presence was unmistakable-an electric tension in the air, as if the world itself bent to his will. There was something almost magnetic about him, as though the very space around him hummed with an intensity that demanded attention.

And then, there was the scent. It lingered in the air, subtle but undeniable, wrapping around her like a shadow. It wasn't unpleasant-far from it. It was the kind of scent that drew you in, piquing your curiosity. A deep, earthy fragrance, like the leaves of some unknown plant from the dense forests of Sumeru, its scent wild and untamed, yet grounding.

She couldn't quite place it, though. It was familiar, but she couldn't name it. Perhaps it was a rare herb from the forest-something elusive, like the man himself. The fragrance clung to him, as much a part of him as his sharp, calculating gaze. It was a scent that made you think of forgotten places, of ancient knowledge buried deep in the earth.

"Zandik," she said, her voice neutral. She kept her eyes trained on the book in front of her, unwilling to acknowledge the growing curiosity that gnawed at her.

He stopped beside her table, and she could feel his gaze, sharp as ever, lingering on her. "I was wondering if you'd be interested in working with me."

Nerina froze. She had been expecting him to speak to her again, but not like this. Work with him?

She turned slowly, her eyes meeting his. "On what?"

"An experiment," he said, his voice thick with interest. "Something that might interest you."

She raised an eyebrow, suspicion creeping into her thoughts. Why me?

"It's a complex problem," Zandik continued, as though he read her hesitation. "Something that has potential. Something we could solve together."

She leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed. She didn't trust him-how could she? He was unpredictable, and her curse... it was dangerous enough without involving someone like him.

"I don't work with others," she replied bluntly. "It's better that way. For both of us."

He didn't take offense. Instead, he seemed to find her refusal... amusing. "Oh, but you'll find that I'm very persistent. And perhaps... pragmatic enough to change your mind."

Her gaze narrowed. "I'm not interested in getting involved with your dangerous projects, Zandik."

"I see." His voice softened, but the intent behind it was clear. "Then let me put it this way: You've been searching for answers to your curse, haven't you? And I've been searching for answers to... other things. You and I, Nerina, we could help each other. Isn't that what you really want?"

His words struck a chord she hadn't expected. She wanted to be left alone, but the truth lingered in the back of her mind, biting at her resolve. She did want answers. She did want to understand her curse, the force that shaped her life and everything around her. And Zandik, for all his faults, was the one person at the Akademiya who might just have the skill and the audacity to find them.

She hesitated. "What's in it for you?"

Zandik's smile was sharp, knowing. "Knowledge. Power. The usual. But perhaps, in your case... a solution."

Nerina studied him for a long moment, weighing the risk against the potential gain. In the end, it didn't really matter whether she agreed or not. If she said no, she would continue on as she always had-alone, with the curse gnawing at her, isolated from everyone else. The fear, the whispers, the constant burden of the power she couldn't control.

But if she said yes, there was no telling what Zandik would demand of her. He would use her, twist her into something more dangerous, a weapon in his arsenal for whatever dark plans he was scheming. Either way, her life was already ruined. She would be alone, or she would become something else, something unrecognizable. So what was the difference?

Her curse had already taken everything from her, and now it seemed it was taking even her choice.

Finally, she sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Fine. But no one else can know. We do this quietly. Under the radar."

"Of course," he agreed, a gleam of approval flashing in his eyes. "But I think we both know that secrets are best kept when there's nothing left to hide."

The laboratory they shared was a sanctuary of sorts-far from prying eyes, filled with half-finished projects and the scent of volatile compounds that neither of them bothered to label. The lab felt like a place apart from the world, its walls heavy with the quiet hum of machinery and the occasional clink of glass. It was dark, cool, and still-everything she had always preferred. There was no sunlight here to pierce the silence, no warmth to unsettle the rigid concentration she required.

It was a place that would have made anyone else uncomfortable. The dim light flickering in the corner, the cold that seemed to seep into your bones, and the constant hum of machinery filled the air with an almost oppressive stillness. It was a space where the air felt thick, as though it carried the weight of old secrets and unfinished experiments. There was no sunlight here, no warmth from the outside world, only shadows and the eerie glow of chemical reactions.

For Nerina, this place was more than just a workspace-it was a refuge, a sanctuary where she could lose herself in the work without the nagging discomfort of the outside world.

It was perfect. The silence was a comfort, the darkness an ally. She thrived in this cold, sterile environment, where she didn't have to face the warmth of the sun or the mess of emotions it brought. Here, in the stillness, she could forget the weight of her curse, could hide from the world without having to explain herself. The absence of light, of warmth, gave her a sense of peace. A peace she hadn't known in years.

The only thing that made Nerina feel the slightest bit uneasy was Zandik's presence. It wasn't fear-she didn't fear him, not really. But she didn't trust him, either. There was something about the way he moved through the space, always so confident, so sure of himself, that made her wary. His sharp gaze seemed to see through the surface, always analyzing, always calculating. He never said much, but when he did speak, it was always with that edge of superiority, as if he knew more than he let on.

She could handle the silence, the cold, the darkness. But Zandik's watchful presence? That was different. It was the unpredictability of it that set her on edge.

"Can you analyze this for me?" Zandik's voice sliced through the silence as he pushed a small vial of fluid toward her, not bothering to look up from his work.

Nerina glanced at the vial, then back at him, her brow furrowing slightly. She still found it strange-strange that he, of all people, was asking her to help him, to truly work together. She had expected him to be the kind of person who would never consider collaboration with someone.

"Fine," she said. "I'll take a look."

Nerina took the vial from the table, her fingers curling around the cool glass. The liquid inside bubbled faintly, as though alive with some strange energy, the surface rippling in small, rhythmic waves. It was a pale, almost translucent green, and it shimmered in the dim light of the lab. As she held it closer, a sharp, pungent odor wafted up-something metallic, almost sour, mixed with a faint hint of rot. It made her stomach tighten, a warning tinge that set her on high alert.

She leaned in, inspecting the liquid more carefully. There was no immediate sign of what it was-no telltale texture or consistency that would give her an easy answer. The fluid seemed almost too volatile to be stable, and the way it moved in the vial suggested a dangerous potential. Nerina tilted the vial slowly, watching the bubbles shift inside, the liquid glistening unnaturally under the low light.

Every instinct told her this wasn't something to be taken lightly. But she couldn't stop herself from studying it further, the need to understand nagging at her despite the unease curling in her gut.

As Nerina continued to examine the vial, she heard the faint sound of footsteps echoing in the stillness of the lab. The soft tap of Zandik's boots against the cold floor grew louder, drawing nearer with each passing moment. She didn't need to look up to know he was coming closer. His presence was like a quiet pressure in the room, something that hovered just out of reach but was impossible to ignore.

The footsteps stopped behind her, just inches away. She could feel the shift in the air, the subtle tension that thickened when he was near. Nerina's body tensed instinctively, her fingers tightening around the vial as if bracing for something. Zandik was standing so close now, she could feel the heat of his presence against her back, but he didn't speak-just stood there, watching her, his gaze unshakable.

For a moment, there was only the sound of her own breath and the faint bubbling of the liquid in her hands, the room alive with an unspoken anticipation.

"Have you figured out what this is?" he asked, his voice just a touch softer than usual.

Nerina shook her head slowly, a frown pulling at her lips. "No, I haven't... there's something unusual about it, but it's hard to pinpoint." She looked at him, her expression puzzled, still unsure of what he expected from her.

Without a word, Zandik stepped even closer. Nerina could feel his presence shift behind her, the warmth of his body pressing against the cool air between them. Then, in a fluid motion, he leaned down, his face coming dangerously close to her ear. His breath was warm against her skin, sending a slight shiver down her spine.

"You have to drink it," he whispered, his voice low, almost intimate, as though the words were meant for her alone.

Nerina froze, her body tensing at the proximity. She was about to turn toward him, to ask what he meant by that, when in a swift motion, Zandik grabbed her hands from behind, pinning them effortlessly against her back with his right hand. His grip was firm, unyielding.

"Drink it," he repeated, his tone unwavering, almost demanding.

Her heart raced as she felt a sudden rush of panic. "You never wanted to work with me," she shot back, the words slipping out before she could stop them. "I'm just your little experiment, aren't I?"

Zandik's lips curved into a small, almost amused smile as he chuckled softly, his breath still warm on her ear. "Both," he murmured, a hint of something darker in his voice. "You think too much, Nerina."

He took the vial from her, raising it to her lips. "Drink it. Now."

In a flash of instinctive defiance, Nerina's foot shot out, landing a sharp kick to his ankle. Zandik stumbled back slightly, but instead of anger, a low laugh escaped him, the sound dark and amused.

"You can kill people with a single touch, and yet you kick me," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. He chuckled softly, leaning in closer, his tone mocking yet playful. "How cute."

Nerina's heart raced, her breath shallow. The shock of his laugh left her momentarily speechless, but the tension between them didn't fade. He was still holding the vial, but now his expression had shifted, as though her resistance only fueled his curiosity more.

"I'll make you a deal," he said, his voice smooth and calculating. "You either drink it now, as I've asked, or..." He paused, his eyes glinting with something dangerous. "Or you show me the full extent of your power. If you even can, in my presence."

His words hung in the air, heavy and challenging. There was no hint of doubt in his tone, no indication that he believed she could resist him. It was clear he was testing her, seeing just how far she would go.

"But tell me, Nerina," he continued, stepping closer once more, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Do you think you can summon that power with me standing here? Or will you let it fizzle out, afraid of what you might unleash?"

Zandik's patience finally snapped. With a swift movement, he grabbed the vial and, before Nerina could react, tilted it toward her lips. She gasped, but it was too late. He pressed the opening of the vial firmly against her mouth and poured the liquid into her throat, forcing it down without hesitation.

The fluid was cold and bitter, burning as it slid down, a sharp sting that made her cough. She struggled to push him away, but his hand was unrelenting, holding her in place with a force that left no room for resistance.

"Drink it," he muttered, his voice a low command, as though it was the only option left. The liquid clung to the back of her throat, and Nerina could do nothing but swallow, the taste lingering like a poison on her tongue.

Nerina's chest heaved as she finally managed to pull away, her hand shooting out to shove him. She spun around, her body trembling with the mix of anger and shock.

"Get off me!" she hissed, pushing against him with all her strength, trying to create some distance between them.

But Zandik only laughed, a dark, amused sound that made her pulse quicken. He didn't budge, his eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and something darker. "Such fire," he said with a smirk, his voice low. "Admit you liked it."

"What the hell is wrong with you?" she snapped, her voice shaking, though her fury masked the confusion that churned in her chest.

But Zandik ignored her question. He didn't seem phased by the shove, his expression still unreadable. "How do you feel?" he asked, his tone unusually calm.

Nerina glared at him, crossing her arms, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Fantastic."

Zandik didn't reply immediately. Instead, he looked at her intently, eyes narrowing slightly. "No," he said, shaking his head slowly. "Your presence... it feels different."

Before Nerina could react, he grabbed her finger without warning and pricked it with a small, sharp needle, drawing a drop of blood. He placed the drop into a small glass slide, comparing it to the earlier sample.

Nerina blinked in shock. "You already had a blood sample from me?" Her voice was quieter now, a mix of disbelief and something deeper she couldn't quite place.

Zandik didn't meet her gaze immediately. His focus remained on the blood, his brow furrowing as he studied the two samples. After a moment, he finally spoke, his voice low and almost contemplative. "I've been observing you for a while, Nerina. You didn't think I would just let you slip by unnoticed, did you?"

She stared at him, her chest tightening at the weight of his words. But before she could respond, Zandik turned the slide to the light once more, the shift in the blood sample confirming what they both knew: something had changed.