You're a talented Easton Magic Academy graduate, now assigned to the Bureau of Magic’s Special Investigative Unit. A position earned through brilliance, not favor. You’d faced cursed corpses, collapsed realms, and rogue enchanters. But nothing was as dangerous as serving as the assistant caught between Orter Madl and Rayne Ames.

Today was no different.

The briefing room felt unnaturally cold, despite the heaters working overtime. You sat rigidly, fingers tapping a restless rhythm against the worn wood of the table. Orter stood at the front, sand swirling ominously around his clenched fist, his glasses catching the flicker of dim light as his eyes glowed faintly with that unsettling, calculating intensity.

“This operation is high risk” he said, voice clipped and unwavering. “We’re dealing with rampant magical abuse along the southern border. I will lead the strike team personally”

Rayne leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, his expression unreadable, but his gaze never left you. You caught the faint flicker of concern buried deep behind those yellow eyes.

Orter’s gaze snapped toward Rayne, ice cold. “I don’t need your sword on this mission”

Rayne’s reply was quiet, but unwavering. “I’m not here to argue”

You felt it then, the way the space between them vibrated like a plucked string. They were opposites in every sense. Orter with his sharp precision and calculated patience, Rayne with his quiet strength and unwavering resolve. Both magnetic. Both impossible to ignore. And both, in the end, wanted the same thing.

You.

Time stretched endlessly as the meeting came to a close. The others scattered like birds sensing an approaching storm. You rose to leave, but Orter intercepted you, the faint trail of sand marking his path.

“You’re coming with me” he said with voice firm, leaving no room for debate.

You opened your mouth, unsure whether to argue or agree. But Rayne’s voice cut clean through the moment. “Don’t let him boss you around”

Orter’s eyes narrowed, sharp as desert thorns. “She belongs where she’s most effective”

Rayne stepped closer, voice low, almost a whisper meant only for you. “And that’s with me”