"I'm not a thief!" Willow blurted out defensively before her brain could catch up.
Navian stared at her curiously, cocking his head to the side. "Then what are you looking for?"
Willow blinked rapidly. She needed to think of something! Anything to get out of this. "Well, I..."
"Hm." He walked toward her, and every word she had managed to summon in her head dissolved instantly. The way he stared at her as if he could read her mind was terrifying.
She tried again. "I..."
But he leaned in close, murmuring, "Can't be money if you managed to get in here despite all the security."
Willow's face flushed red. He really thought she was a thief!
Well, if she really thought about it, he was right. But agreeing to it would probably mean death.
Panic rushed through her veins and she turned, ready to bolt but he grabbed her arm and forced her to face him again.
Willow swallowed hard the moment their eyes met. "I'm not—"
"Are you an assassin?" he interrupted, leaning in again.
This time, Willow stiffened completely. He was really trying to figure her out!
"No..." he drawled softly, lifting her arm and tapping her shoulder lightly. "Your shoulder blades are too stiff. Reflexes are slow. And these dainty hands?" He turned her palm up with a small smirk. "No way you're using these to be an assassin. You're not assassin material."
Willow scoffed in disbelief and glared at him. This guy really had the audacity to judge her body?!
She didn't even want to be an assassin but for some reason, his words annoyed her. Before she could stop herself, she snapped, "Of course you'd know what it takes to be one, Navian Grimm. Member of Syraxis, the strongest assassin faction."
Navian raised a brow, clearly amused. "Oh, you know who I am. Good. Saves us the unnecessary introductions."
Willow's jaw dropped. "What?"
"Well..." He released her arm and took a small step back, eyeing her critically. "You have the size, petite enough, but you're clearly too stiff. So what could you possibly be doing here?"
Willow looked around the room like she was searching for answers, then turned back to Navian with sudden confidence and composure.
"I'm just here to see if I can find any information that can help me seduce Ezrik."
"Oh? Is that so?" Navian immediately leaned in, sounding and looking very amused. His silver eyes were so attractive and spellbinding that she didn't even step back.
"I mean, your face would do a good job. I don't think you need anything else. What grade are you in?"
Willow's eyes widened, and she took a step back.
"How does my grade have anything to do with seducing Ezrik?" she asked defensively.
Navian shrugged nonchalantly. "Are you asking because you belong to a low grade?"
Oh, he was smart. Willow gritted her teeth and bit out, "I belong to Grade D."
"Ah… I see." Navian nodded, looking like he already knew, which only annoyed Willow more. She hated how bad her luck was. Getting caught by an Ascendant while snooping in another Ascendant's room. She just wanted to vanish into thin air!
"But there might be a problem with that," Navian continued, "because Ezrik likes his women strong enough not to break."
Willow choked on her own breath, which turned into a coughing fit. She smacked her chest, staring at him in horror.
"What the… What do you mean strong enough not to break?!"
Navian simply leaned back, a lazy smile playing on his lips. "I'll keep this a secret, but starting tomorrow, report to my room as my fodder."
He completely ignored her question, but his strange words confused her even more.
"Fodder? What does that mean?"
"I don't need to tell you. I'm sure you'll find out by tomorrow."
With that, Navian turned away and walked toward the door with calm, measured strides, while she stared at his back, wondering what the hell he meant.
As he got closer to the door, she felt a wave of relief. He was leaving, and she could finally resume her search in Ezrik's bedroom. It had to be in there since the main room gave nothing.
Unfortunately for her, Navian stopped and looked over his shoulder, his dull silver eyes narrowing on her.
"You don't actually expect me to just leave you here, do you? We both know you're not here to seduce anyone."
All her relief and excitement came crashing down. She dragged her feet reluctantly until she was standing beside him. When she glared at him, she found him staring down at her, amusement dancing in those cold silver eyes.
She frowned. "This isn't your room either. Which means that you're a thief. Or an assassin. Or..." she gasped dramatically, "are you and Ezrik dating?!"
Navian didn't even look offended. Instead, he flicked his fingers against her forehead, sending a sharp, vibrating jolt through her skull. It didn't exactly hurt, but she winced, rubbing the spot and staring at him like he was insane.
"Are you trying to break my head?!"
He smiled at her. "I was setting up a prank for Ezrik. A mini bomb under his bed... It was supposed to be awesome, but..." he gave a lazy shrug, "you ruined the moment. I'm over it."
Willow stared at him in horror. "Prank? Bo...mb?" She blinked.
"Are bomb and prank supposed to be in the same sentence?!"
Navian pressed a button on the wall, and the doors slid open. He stepped out, but Willow didn't move, hoping he would just leave and the doors would close behind him.
Unfortunately, he turned to look at her, cocking his head slightly.
"Come here," he whispered.
Willow let out an exasperated sigh and stepped out. "Fine."
They walked out of the building together in silence, and Willow quickly realized he was leading them both back toward the orientation hall.
Her mission was officially busted.
"Oh." Navian stopped walking and looked at her. "I have something to attend to. Go on without me."
Willow stared at him in confusion as he walked away, heading back in the direction they'd just come from. Was he returning to Ezrik's room? She couldn't go back there.. At least, not now.
And she was only free because Navian had promised not to tell on her... and whatever being his fodder meant. What was that about?