Stuck with the enemy

I woke up, my head aching from the chaos of the previous day. Running around for Adeline, fetching and delivering her endless requests, had drained every ounce of my energy. The sunlight streaming through the window felt like an insult after how little rest I had managed to get.

Adeline had at least granted me the morning off—sort of.

"I don't have plans in the morning, Deniz. Be at my place after lunch," she had ordered the night before, her tone making it clear that this wasn't a suggestion.

I couldn't help but let out a relieved sigh. Morning to myself. Finally. That was the only good news I'd had in days.

The knock at the door came just as I finished getting dressed. I opened it to find Alya standing there, her expression a mix of amusement and mild exasperation.

"You look awful," she said bluntly, pushing past me and stepping inside without waiting for an invitation.

"Good morning to you, too," I muttered, shutting the door behind her.

Alya flopped onto my bed like she owned the place, crossing her legs and giving me an expectant look. "So, I hear you've been busy being Luna's personal errand girl. How's that working out for you?"

"She's unbearable," I groaned, leaning against the edge of my desk. "It's like every little thing she wants suddenly becomes the most urgent task in the world."

Alya grinned, clearly enjoying my misery. "Sounds like you're having the time of your life. Isn't it ironic, though?"

"Ironic how?"

"That you're running around catering to her every whim when she's sitting in the spot you should've been in," she said casually, but the words hit me like a punch.

"Alya," I snapped, narrowing my eyes.

"Sorry, sorry," she said, raising her hands in mock surrender, though her smirk didn't fade. "But maybe you could use that to your advantage."

I frowned, sceptical. "What are you getting at?"

She leaned forward, her voice dropping conspiratorially. "The rogue from the hospital. You want answers, don't you? Use Adeline to get access to him."

I crossed my arms, leaning against the desk. "And how am I supposed to do that? She's not exactly approachable, in case you haven't noticed."

"She's important, Deniz," Alya said with a shrug. "Convince her to help you. Make her think you're on her side. If she's smart—and I doubt she is—she'll see you as a useful ally. And if you're lucky, she'll pull strings to get you what you want."

I snorted. "Ally? I'm more like her glorified servant."

"Exactly," Alya said, pointing a finger at me. "She thinks she has you wrapped around her finger. Use that. Pretend you care about whatever she cares about. Stroke her ego a little. Then ask her for access to the rogue. Derek listens to her, doesn't he?"

I hesitated. She wasn't wrong. Derek did seem to tolerate—or maybe even respect—Adeline's opinions. If she asked for something, there was a good chance he would grant it.

But the thought of cosying up to Adeline made my stomach turn.

"I don't know," I said finally. "This could backfire in so many ways."

Alya grinned. "Oh, it probably will. But think about it—do you have any better options?"

I hated that she was right. "Fine," I muttered, rubbing my temples. "But if this goes south, I'm blaming you."

"Blame all you want, as long as it works," she said breezily, hopping off the bed. "Trust me, Deniz. Just play the game, and you'll come out on top."

I sighed, glancing at the clock. It was nearly time to head back to work.