Days had passed, and the candidates grew closer. Their decisions slowly began to shift, opening up to new possibilities during their stay at the facility. They were served healthy meals and given access to a workout area. All of them were active—except for Tyler. His weak heart limited him to a routine of eating, drinking, reading, and sleeping. Ara had noticed Tyler becoming paler since the day they met. He often struggled to breathe and frequently complained of chest pain. General Johanssen was aware of his son's condition, but he couldn't do anything about it.
"Tyler, are you okay? Does your chest hurt again?" Ara sat beside him, worried.
"I'm alright, Ara. Thanks for asking. But maybe I won't last much longer. This project is my only chance to extend my life. If everyone keeps delaying their decision, it might worsen my condition, and I could be removed from the facility. Even though my father's a General, he can't change that."
"I'm so sorry to hear that. But as you can see, we don't all share Sofie's optimism. She's so positive, but I'm still hesitant."
"Hesitating? That means you're considering going through with it." Tyler's eyes lit up.
"Don't get your hopes up. Yes, I've considered it—but my opinion doesn't matter."
"Every opinion matters, Ara. Look at Sofie—she keeps blabbering about how excited she is, about all the opportunities that come with being a vampire. There may be disadvantages, but we can figure them out. I just hope the others start considering it too."
"Tyler, I don't know..." Ara and Tyler kept talking, growing closer with every shared story. Their bond deepened, and Ara's curiosity about the project grew stronger—nudging her toward a decision.
Elsewhere, Slacovich was growing increasingly impatient with Sofie. She was the one who bugged him the most. No matter how often he brushed her off, she followed him—even into the workout area. There was a sparring ring, and Sofie had an idea to push his buttons even further.
"Hey, Slaco," she grinned, teasingly poking his cheek.
"Who gave you permission to call me that? Back off. I need to work out to calm down. Keep bothering me, and I won't treat you like a woman," he snapped, moving toward the punching bag and taking off his shirt. Sofie stared, then quickly shook her head as she caught Slacovich smirking.
"Ahem! Don't think you're that muscular—you're not."
"I don't need your opinion."
"Hey, old man—how about a deal?" At that, he stopped and turned to her.
"What deal?"
"See that ring? Let's have a match."
"You've got to be kidding me." He turned back to the punching bag.
"If you win, I'll stop bothering you. But if I win—you're mine. How's that sound?" she said, winking.
"A sparring match? I don't fight women. Go put on an apron and cook. Your tiny fists won't help you anyway."
"Afraid to lose, old man?" Sofie stood beside him and suddenly kicked the punching bag—so hard that it swung and hit Slacovich in the face. Furious, he stormed into the ring and took three deep breaths.
"Don't blame me if I cripple you."
"Now you're talking." Sofie slid into the ring and took off her jacket.
"If I win, you're mine too. You'll do what I say."
"Deal."
"You can't fight without a referee," Diego called out from the doorway.
"Perfect timing. You'll do," Sofie gestured for him to come over.
"I'll set the rules then—just one: whoever gives up, loses."
"Okay!" both of them agreed.
"Fighters ready? Fight!" Diego jumped out of the ring as the other candidates gathered to watch, intrigued. Sofie and Slacovich circled each other, waiting for someone to make the first move.
Sofie struck first—a side-step ax kick—but Slacovich dodged and grabbed her leg, shoving her aside. She hit the floor but quickly stood back up, brushing off the pain.
"Not very gentlemanly, Slaco. But not bad."
"Stop talking. Give me everything you've got—or surrender and be mine," he taunted, arms crossed.
Sofie charged to tackle him, but he grabbed her by the waist and locked his arms around her. Using her agility, she tightened her grip and stomped his foot. Then, with a burst of strength, she swept her leg behind his and shoved him backward. He fell flat on his back. Without hesitation, she locked her legs around his torso and tried to choke him with her wrist.
Slacovich, unimpressed, rolled over and pinned her arm behind her back. She struggled, trying to kick him off, but he blocked it. His grip tightened. Pain was evident on Sofie's face, but she refused to yield. He leaned in close and grinned.
"Give up already, or you won't be able to use this arm."
"I... I won't give up! Not yet—ahh!" With all her might, she headbutted him. Both of them collapsed on the ring floor, their foreheads touching.
"Dammit! You really don't know when to give up!" he growled, knowing she was hurting more than he was. He stood, clenched his fist, and then knelt beside her—only to punch the ground next to her, not her.
Sofie shed silent tears, knowing she had lost. The crowd was stunned—first by the fight, and even more so when Slacovich gently lifted her into his arms.
"Where's the infirmary?" he asked. Li led the way as others helped clean up.
At the infirmary, Li helped Sofie change while Slacovich waited outside. Once Sofie was settled, Li stepped out, leaving them alone. Slacovich sat beside her bed, quietly staring.
"What is it now? You won the fight. I always keep my word."
"Just shut up," he muttered, gently taking her arm. This time, he was careful, massaging the area where he had gripped her too tightly before. When she winced at lifting it, he continued massaging, easing her sore muscles. He laid her down and placed an ice pack on her swollen forehead.
"You can be gentle when you want to be. Why always frown like that?"
"I said shut up." He pressed the ice pack against her head.
"Ow! Okay, I'll be quiet—just be gentle." She was exhausted and soon drifted to sleep. Slacovich pulled the blanket over her and quietly left.
Back in his room, he smiled to himself, remembering the fight and Sofie's persistence. Just the thought of her made him smile without realizing it.
"That smile suits you more than the frown you always wear."
Startled, he looked up. Sofie stood at his door.
"You're supposed to be resting."
"I'm fine. The pain will pass. I just came to clarify one thing—I didn't lose that fight. It was a draw. So I'm not yours, and I'll keep annoying you every chance I get," she laughed.
"Having a loudmouth around is... new. Maybe I just need to get used to your constant blabbering." He tried to suppress a chuckle and failed. Sofie stared, stunned, then shrugged it off and laughed with him.
"Did I hit your head too hard? You've gone soft."
"Maybe you did." They both laughed, finally feeling comfortable enough to talk more openly.
"So," Slacovich asked, "why are you so eager to go through with the project?"
"I grew up in a royal family," Sofie admitted. "You might not believe it, but I'm a princess. Being one meant following rules, having perfect etiquette, always doing what you're told. But I didn't want that kind of life. So I rebelled. I embarrassed my parents—but they still found ways to deal with me. I love them, but I hated the life of luxury. When I first left the castle, I saw the truth. People starving on the streets, while we dined in gold-plated halls. I couldn't live like that anymore."
"So you rebelled to get their attention. Why not just talk to them?"
"I did. They told me, 'If the government can't help them, what can we do?' It made me realize—being royalty is just for show."
"And what does this project have to do with that?"
"It's simple. I don't mind sacrificing myself for justice. We'll be working under the government, right? I know we'll be compensated generously. I can use that to help the poor. Maybe I'm being naive—but if I can help my people this way, I'll do whatever it takes. I'm a princess, and I have a responsibility to them."
Tears filled her eyes. Slacovich pulled her into a comforting embrace, feeling sorry for having judged her too soon. She may be loud—but her heart was pure. Her perspective gave him something to think about. Maybe there was more to life than being an assassin. Maybe—just maybe—a new life could begin here. A new goal worth chasing.