Author's note: this is from Aldus's point of view

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The frustration from Serina's near-kidnapping was keeping me on the edge.

Killian worked with Elena, Graike, and Lazarus the whole night and they didn't find any clues.

I notified the organizers of the event that Serina will join me only one week in advance.

Is it possible that within that week they planned her kidnapping? Or did they plan for something else, and they changed the target when they found out my daughter is coming?

I refuse to believe that it was random and I blame myself for relaxing after Glatellia's words about Serina being safe as long as she conceals her powers.

Alive and safe are two different things. What if they succeeded in harming her?

I wanted to know who sent them and why.

Was their plan to kidnap Serina? Or was their plan only to approach her as a warning for me so that I know that they can get to me even in a secure place such as the Council? Who would do such a thing?

Ah, the list is long.

Over centuries, I crossed paths with many creatures, and I have more enemies than I wish to know about. But how many of them would be brazen enough to attempt such a stunt?

Seraphina and Calista joined me for lunch in the dining room.

It was nice to see girls in a good mood. After the mess from last night, I didn't expect to see Serina smiling. I was grateful to Calista for distracting her. Being under a restrictive magic spell and nearly kidnapped can't be a pleasant experience.

"How are you feeling?", I asked Serina.

"She is excited.", Calista responded before Serina could say a word.

I saw that Serina shifted in her seat, and I was curious. "About?"

After a second of silence, Calista was talking again, "Serina got an invitation to a high school reunion, and she is going."

I was confused. How can she get an invitation when Sanya Bogdan is officially missing? But then I remembered one person (other than myself) who knows about Serina's previous identity. "Did Mona give you the invitation?"

Serina shrugged, indicating that she is not sure. "I need to talk to her, but I believe that the invitation on my name reached into her hands."

I observed Serina avoiding my gaze.

"What are you hiding, Serina?"

"The invitation was sent by Duke!", Calista exclaimed. "And he wants to talk to Serina."

I nodded in understanding. This explains the guy who was taking photos of Serina and Mona when they visited Serina's old house. Marius looked him up and found that the guy was paid from the account owned by Drago Orsini. I was wondering why would that guy take photos, but it's obvious that Drago made a connection between Mona and Serina.

This also confirmed that Drago buying a share of the Beauty Sphere was not coincidental. It doesn't seem that Serina knows Duke is her business partner. I wonder how she will react when she finds out.

"You don't look surprised.", Serina said.

"I'm not.", I responded honestly.

Serina narrowed her eyes at me. "Do you know something I don't?"

If I tell her I was aware that Duke was trailing her, and I didn't let her know right away, she will be upset.

"I hope you will have fun at the reunion.", I avoided answering her question.

"What makes you think I'm going?"

"Serina. I'm watching you for three years now, and I saw that only one man can reach you emotionally. If you don't go, you will regret it."

"What if I regret going? You know that Duke is human."

I knew that her fear of rejection runs deep, and as much as I like having Serina within my visual range, she needs to live her life or will wither away.

"We had this talk before. You need to open up if you want to experience something great, even if it puts you at risk of heartbreak. Eternity is dry and tiring if you are not living a life worth living. Are you going to allow fears to guide you? You are Mezzanotte now. Act like it and face your demons without flinching."

Serina was not willing, but she didn't reject it either.

They told me that it's nine days away, which means that Serina has so much time to get mentally ready.

"Flowers arrived for you.", I told Serina.

"Flowers?"

I confirmed. "From Lazarus, Graike, Bolek, and Elena."

Serina frowned. "Bolek?"

"He found out that you were attacked so I assume it's related to that.", I said.

I don't pry into Serina's life, but that was Bolek and I didn't want to risk Serina getting something that might upset her, so I ended up reading that card. He expressed his regret for the lack of vigilance and there was some nonsense about him catching the culprits. Bolek is one of my biggest suspects, but I can't reveal that without evidence.

"Any progress on who attacked me?", Serina asked.

I told her that we don't have much. When I caught up to Graike, he was cursing because the portal the attackers used closed in his face.

Serina nodded and she didn't ask more, but then she requested that I give her a checkup after the meal.

Just as I suspected, the checkup was an excuse because she wanted to talk to me in private without my nosy sister around.

In the lab, Serina told me that they tried to brainwash her, but they were unsuccessful due to some barrier.

"Do you think that is related to why I can't remember things before my fourth birthday?", Serina asked.

"It's possible."

"Can we get someone to check?"

I refused. "Messing with the mind is very tricky. I don't want to risk you being permanently damaged. Also, if the breach is successful, they will have access to everything you know. No matter what the situation is, don't ever allow anyone into your mind. Other than seeing things you are trying to conceal, they can influence you and plant memories. Without you knowing, you can harm your loved ones."

Serina nodded in understanding.

"Try not to worry too much. We are on alert and investigating.", I assured her. "Focus on your life and your practice, and leave your safety to me. When outside, I will increase your security, and your part is to conceal your abilities."

Serina frowned. "Why are you insisting that I conceal my abilities?"

"Even your best friend can turn into a foe under the right circumstances.", I couldn't emphasize this enough. "It's for the best if people don't know what you are capable of as that might be a clue into who you truly are. However, if something like that happens again, don't wait to be rescued. Use whatever you need to keep yourself safe and don't leave witnesses behind."

Serina's eyes widened at my words, but she grasped that if someone sees her abilities and lives to talk about them, it will only increase the number of eyes on her.

"Thank you, father.", Serina said after a long silence.

Before she left the lab, I stopped her. "Serina, I won't force you, but I hope you will decide to go for that reunion."

She pressed her lips into a line, and I continued, "You need to face Duke and clear up the air between you one way or another. Or do you want to live like this forever?"

Serina frowned. "Live like what?"

"You have some impressive characters interested in you. I'm not saying you should accept their advances, but the facts are that you are not even considering them. I feel that you are comparing them with Duke…"

"Enough!", Serina interrupted me angrily, and then she hid her face with her palms. "I know what I should do. But I'm scared."

"I can see that, and I hate it."

Serina lifted her head and met my eyes questionably.

"I hate that you are allowing fear to guide you, Serina. You are afraid of ghosts you created.", I said. "You have nine days. I want you to imagine the worst possible scenario, but keep in mind that the reality is never the worst or the best, it's usually something in the middle."

Serina left the lab and I almost told her what I know and suspect about Duke, but I kept those words back. I want her to make this decision herself.

I remembered to check on the order for flowers that will be on the balcony of Serina's apartment in London. I was confident that she will like it.

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