Hanna sat across from Elordi in the school’s empty courtyard, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows over the stone benches. The silence between them was thick, and her arms were crossed tightly over her chest as she studied him, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. She had never been able to fully trust Elordi—his unpredictable nature and casual demeanor made it hard to pin him down, let alone rely on him for anything serious. But here they were, talking about an alliance that could either help her bring Ciara down or completely backfire.
“You want to help me?” Hanna asked, her voice dripping with skepticism. Her gaze never wavered from his face, trying to read the hidden intentions behind that familiar smirk. She had a bad feeling about this.
Elordi, however, didn’t seem bothered by her lack of trust. Instead, he leaned back against the bench with a casual air, looking completely at ease. The way he carried himself was always so nonchalant, as though nothing in the world could faze him. His gaze flicked over her with a faint amusement, but there was something more in his eyes now—something darker. It wasn’t just about Ciara anymore.
“Let’s just say I don’t like Ciara,” Elordi said, his voice light but laced with something more serious. “She’s got dirt on everyone, including me, and I’d love to see her taken down.” His eyes glinted with a strange mixture of bitterness and something else—almost like he was getting some twisted satisfaction from the idea of seeing Ciara’s empire crumble.
Hanna frowned, unconvinced. She had heard Elordi speak about Ciara before, but there was always something he wasn’t saying. His words didn’t make him sound like a hero, but more like someone looking to settle old scores. “And what’s in it for you?” she asked, unable to shake the nagging feeling in her gut.
Elordi’s smirk widened, almost predatory. “What’s in it for me? The satisfaction of watching her fall apart.” He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in before adding, “Plus, I like seeing you win, Hanna. It’s… entertaining.”
Hanna rolled her eyes, the cynicism in her voice impossible to hide. “Entertaining?” she repeated dryly. “This isn’t some game, Elordi. You don’t get to just watch from the sidelines. People’s lives are at stake.”
He shrugged, clearly unfazed by her frustration. “Maybe not for you, but for me? It’s just a bit of fun. And it’ll be fun watching you come out on top. Don’t you want that?”
Hanna’s mind raced. She was desperate—desperate for leverage, for any kind of edge to use against Ciara. But trusting Elordi felt like walking into a trap, like playing with fire. She had seen how he operated, how easily he manipulated people, and she had no reason to believe he wouldn’t do the same to her once his game was over.
But as much as it made her uncomfortable, part of her had to admit that Elordi was close enough to Ciara to know her weaknesses. Maybe this was the only shot she had at stopping Ciara’s relentless attacks.
She exhaled sharply, trying to push the unease aside. “What do you have on her?” she asked, her voice quiet but firm. She had to know what he could offer before she made any decisions.
Elordi’s eyes sparkled with amusement, as if he were enjoying the power he had over the situation. He leaned forward slightly, the smirk still playing at the corners of his lips. “Patience,” he said, his tone almost playful, teasing. “I’ll give you what you need when the time is right. But you have to trust me.”
Hanna’s stomach churned at his words. Trusting Elordi felt like a gamble—a dangerous one. She had no idea what he was truly capable of, or what he wanted from her in return. His offer was tempting, but she could feel the weight of the choice pressing down on her. If she accepted his help, she was walking a fine line. But she also knew that Ciara wasn’t going to stop, that the war was far from over, and she was running out of options.
The tension in the air thickened as she hesitated, weighing her options. Finally, her voice barely above a whisper, she spoke. “I don’t know if I can trust you.”
Elordi didn’t seem offended by her words, though. Instead, he leaned back against the bench with a shrug, his smile never faltering. “I’m not asking you to trust me, Hanna. I’m asking you to use me. I’m not here to be your friend. I’m here to make sure Ciara gets what’s coming to her.”
Hanna’s gut twisted. She knew Elordi was right in one way—she wasn’t in a position to turn down any help, no matter how suspicious it might be. The weight of the situation, the relentless nature of Ciara’s attacks, pushed her toward a decision she never thought she’d have to make. Elordi might be dangerous, but Ciara was the real threat, and Hanna couldn’t afford to ignore any advantage she might have, even if it meant playing with fire.
“I’ll think about it,” Hanna said quietly, her voice firm despite the unease swirling in her chest. “But if you betray me—if you use this against me in any way—I won’t hesitate to make you regret it.”
Elordi smiled again, that same knowing smirk. “I’ll take my chances.”
As Hanna walked away, her mind churned with conflicting thoughts. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she had just made a deal with someone who had no real loyalty—someone who saw this all as a game. But she also knew she had no other choice. She had to stop Ciara, no matter the cost.
The path she had chosen was dangerous, and she wasn’t sure where it would lead. But for now, Hanna had no choice but to play Elordi’s game and hope she wasn’t the one who ended up burned.