OPERATION WINTERSPINE (Strings Between Us Book 2)

CHAPTER THREE: OF THE RING, THE CHAIN, AND THE COFFEE CRISIS

Even her hairpin wasn't just decoration, it was a 360° comm scanner with projection veil emitters. She wore bracelets that could visually conceal her. Her lip tint case? A smoke diffuser. Her collar studs hid frequency jammers. And her hair accessory pulsed a signal modulator when triggered. Somewhere beneath that skirt rested Eris—her retractable Orichalcum spear. Silent. Sleek. Deadly.

Alexie didn't just wear uniform. She wore strategy.

And then there was Saichel. Chaos wrapped in charm, always looking like he rolled out of bed with perfect hair and enough mischief to set the room on fire. His blazer was asymmetric and open, layered casually over a deep grey vest with obsidian buttons and crimson-threaded buttonholes. The cuffs of his jacket were lined in crimson, initials of his rank stitched in gold. His matte-black trousers moved with a deceptive looseness like they didn't care, until they did.

And of course, nothing he wore was ever just for show. His bangle-styled bracelet was a quick-deploy transmitter and jammer. The lining of his coat? Reflective foil, ready for on-the-go misdirection or projections. The choker at his throat shimmered with a disruptor field.

His boot heels could release flash capsules. Wristbands sent electric pulses through thin threadlines. Even his earrings redirected sound waves. And Chronos, his Orichalcum glove, clung to his hand in plain sight, sleek, metallic, and very intentional.

While the rest of us hid our weapons, Saichel wore his like a dare.

Gasps spread like wildfire.

And then from the second floor terrace, leaning against the marble rail, arms folded and face unreadable.

Khaizer freaking Dylan Dela Vega.

He smirked. Tilted his head slightly. And mouthed clearly through the silence:

"You look hot."

Alexie, still linked on my left, practically squealed.

"Looks like the President's impressed, Princess."

Saichel on my right laughed.

"He literally called you hot. Not 'great.' Not 'cool.' Hot."

"Shut up," I hissed, already flustered.

And then Saichel whispered enough for me to hear, "Guess the heartbeat pinky ring still works...we can hear you now.."

I didn't say anything. I just smiled. I can feel both of them now, again.

I made my way to the corner table where Jodie, Xylia, Errol, and Mico sat.

Jodie blinked three times. "Okay. Wait. Pause. Are you wearing a different version of uniform?"

Xylia dropped her cookie. Errol gave a low whistle. Mico sipped his drink slowly, eyes wide.

"How many versions of uniform does Ardent have?" Errol grinned.

"We have a lot, actually." I rolled my eyes. "Cause Keryn loves fashion and we are her walking models."

My phone buzzed.

KD [8:17 AM]: I mean what I said earlier. u look hot, girlfriend.

ME: Stop flirting. It's too early.

KD: I'll flirt with you even if it's 2 AM. Remember, I climbed terraces and balconies for you.

I bit my lip and tried not to smile.

KD: I saw that. You look cute when you fight your grin.

"Were you flirting with the President?" Xylia narrowed her eyes.