I sat on the upper deck. The calm breeze. The seagulls singing. Everything was peaceful before he came. His fight with one of the psychopaths had ended in the man's death.
Now there were only three left. Me, Edward, and Zora.
I gazed at the ocean. The wish was already mine. The others simply hadn't accepted it yet. "What are the statistics?"
The familiar voice of the moderators responded instantly. "The statistics of the psychopath project are as follows:"
1st place: Rowan — 4 kills
2nd place: Ren — 4 kills
3rd place: Zora — 3 kills
4th place: Edward — 1 kill
So Edward was last. I was first. Four kills. Four bodies. Four souls I'd sent to Solorus.
"Are we allowed to kill fellow psychopaths?"
"Yes. It is permitted. You will be able to steal the kills of any psychopath you murder."
I studied the numbers. Edward was the obvious target. Zora had his own faction—too much risk for too little gain. But Edward? A lone mage with a single kill. Weak. Isolated. Perfect.
Alexandria approached from the cafeteria. "Rowan, Orion and twenty other members are ready for your instruction."
I turned to her. "Good work. Orion will lead the twenty. I've already given him his orders. You've done your part."
"What are you going to do with them?"
"Don't concern yourself. Rest. You've earned it."
She'd been asking more questions lately. When we first met, she followed instructions without hesitation. Now? Now she watched. Listened. Questioned.
Orion emerged with twenty rookies behind him. He clasped his hands and bowed his head. "Rowan, we're ready."
"No need for that, my friend. Your loyalty is enough."
I studied Alexandria. Her eyes were narrowed. Her jaw was tight. Something was wrong.
"What's bothering you?"
Her eyes widened. Her mouth opened—then snapped shut.
"Nothing. I'm just... stressed."
"About?"
"The psychopaths. Ren's announcement. It feels like every day, your closest ally could be your enemy."
"I understand your fear. But remember—you are the right hand of the Eighty. The most powerful faction on this ship. We protect our own."
She held my gaze. "Thank you, Rowan. For letting me join."
"You earned your place. Now rest. We've found one of the psychopaths. The hunt begins."
She turned toward the cafeteria. "Good luck. May Solorus guide you."
"He's always been guiding me."
The door closed behind her.
Two figures rose from my shadow. Dark cloaks. Silent movements. They knelt.
"Spy on Alexandria. I suspect we have a traitor."
They vanished without a sound.
Don't make me kill you, Alexandria.
Orion turned to his men. "What are you waiting for? Move."
The rookies dispersed.
Zora and Edward. Two obstacles. The wish was already mine. They simply hadn't accepted it yet.
---
Hours later, I found him.
His skin was pale ivory. A white crew cut—the hairstyle of nobles. A long white coat draped over his shoulders, snowflake patterns woven into the fur. Black tunic underneath. Hands in his pockets.
He hadn't noticed me. Or so he pretended.
I followed him through the empty corridors. Patient. Silent. Waiting for the right moment.
The sun set. The ship grew quiet.
He turned into a narrow hallway.
I manifested a golden hand. It stretched across the walls, the ceiling, the floor. Sealing every crack. No sound would escape. No one would hear him scream.
Edward stopped.
He turned.
His eyes were bright blue. Calm. Certain.
"You knew."
He nodded, crossing his arms. "I've known for a long time. I know the rules. I know you'd come for me eventually."
"At least you're not a fool. I've already dealt with a screaming heretic."
Edward raised an eyebrow. "So you're the berserker? No... you're the zealot."
He stretched his shoulders. "I've heard stories about you. Uniting strong rookies under a banner of faith."
A laugh escaped me. "And I've heard stories about you. A mage with no wand."
"Where is it, Edward? Your wand? Your staff?"
"How do you know I'm a mage?"
"Your Lumin reserves. They dwarf other classes. Even other mages."
He spread his arms.
My heart quickened.
White Lumin coiled around his limbs like living frost. His smile was calm. Confident. Predatory.
"I don't need it."
Frost crystallized beneath his feet.
The air grew cold.
And for the first time in years, I felt something I'd almost forgotten.
Uncertainty.