Evaline:
I froze as the words hit me like a slap.
I stared at him, feeling unsure if I had heard correctly. "You will… what?" I finally found my voice to ask.
"I'll help you get into the academy," he repeated, meeting my eyes.
I almost stopped breathing. "Why?"
He tilted his head and that lazy smile returned to his lips as he replied, "Because I have something I want you to do."
I waited for him to reveal whatever it was that he wanted me to do in exchange of his help, and when he didn't, I decided to ask. "And what is that?"
"That's for later." He made it clear that he wasn't going to reveal further details. The smile from his lips finally faded, turning into something more serious. "But if you get in, I'll tell you."
I was hesitant... and for all the right reasons. What he just offered was a deal, a dangerous one. But it was also an opportunity.
"I need to know if you are serious about this," he continued. "I'm not going to waste my time if you are just playing around."
