Troy blinked, visibly caught off guard. "You are? Are you sure?"
He hadn't expected such a quick agreement, especially not from Riven, who did not seem like the... Brave or strong or... Like someone who would take action.
"Do you not have any questions for me?" Troy added, still frowning, trying to assess if Riven truly understood what this entailed.
Riven gave a casual shrug and shook his head, his tone light, almost dismissive. "Nah. I know that Ronan will kill you if something happens to me."
He said it so plainly, like he was commenting on the weather. But Troy flinched at the mention. Not because it was untrue—if anything, it was terrifyingly accurate—but because Riven's words held a quiet confidence that was more unnerving than anything else.
"Besides," Riven continued, unbothered, "I'm the bait. I don't really have to do much other than just... Exist."
He gave Troy a pointed look, a tiny smirk forming at the corner of his lips.
