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

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​​

With the topic of the data related to my revival being settled, my thoughts drifted toward the new face.

I was curious about the man who introduced himself as the Lord of Lightning.

"What can you tell me about Graike?"

"He is a dragon."

My eyes nearly bulged out. "A dragon?"

Aldus saw my uneasiness. "Don't worry, Graike will not harm you. We go a long way back. Graike can control lightning and there was electricity inside your system that he helped drain. He wanted to stay long enough to ensure you are fine before returning to his realm. I guess he was eager to meet you in person."

I assumed that Lazarus also stayed behind to ensure I am OK. That was sweet, but I feared that he will bring up the topic of our date again. I was not ready for that, not yet.

What about Vesper? Why is she here? I found it hard to believe that she was here because of her concern for me.

"Why was Vesper holding my hand when I woke up?"

"She was tracking your emotions. It was the only way for me to know what's going on."

I was glad that she could see only my emotions and not my thoughts. I didn't want anyone to know how weak and pathetic I am. Not waking up for six days because of things that happened years ago; if that is not weak then nothing is.

I decided to focus on the man in front of me.

Aldus doesn't like company, but because of me he called a dragon and a witch to stay in his home, and Lazarus is here as well. It told me that Aldus really cares about me, and his concern goes beyond holding me to cry my heart out.

"I'm sorry for worrying you."

"I am glad you are back, Serina."

I knew he meant it and I knew that I was not alone, no matter what the dark shadows from my depressing thoughts whispered.

I became self-conscious. After six days in bed and a crying session, I'm probably not the most pleasant sight. I tried not to think about the way I smell.

I remembered that I should join the others for a meal.

"I would like to shower and change."

"Serina…", Aldus called, getting my attention. "I know what Mona told you about Duke. I mean, Drago. It's not true."

My heart stopped beating. What was he talking about? He knows? How much does he know?

"What?", I asked weakly.

"Mona didn't deceive you on purpose. Mona only told you what she heard. But she heard rumors which are not true. Drago is a private man, not involved with any woman. The story that Magdalena Thompson is pregnant with his child and they are about to get married is a rumor that Magdalena herself started."

I was not sure what to think of this. Since I woke up, I successfully suppressed thoughts about Duke, yet here he was... his name coming out of Aldus's lips and impacting me in ways I'm not willing to admit.

How much I remember, Magdalena is blessed with good looks, and she comes from a rich family. Why would she tarnish her own reputation by telling others that she is pregnant out of wedlock? Don't those young misses get abortions in secrecy, or deliver their babies in a different country so that no one finds out?

"Why would she do that?", I asked.

Aldus shrugged, indicating that he is not sure. "There is another set of rumors that talk about Magdalena being obsessed with Drago and that she is pursuing him for years, using various schemes to get close to him, without any results. He rejected her every time."

Aldus's words were music to my ears and a healing balm to the chasm in my chest where my heart used to be, but I was skeptical about believing it. What if those are just pretty lies, designed to make me feel better? Even if Aldus doesn't want to deceive me, there was no guarantee that he didn't bump into another web of lies.

"How do you know that?"

"I sent Marius to investigate. He spoke to Mona and followed the trail of rumors. Eventually, he spoke with Annabelle Kendrick, who is a close friend to Magdalena. Anna told him how Magdalena is behind many schemes that have a goal for Magdalena to get close to Duke. Currently, he is refusing to take her calls and Magdalena is desperate. I created a file, if you are interested, you can read it later."

"Why would this Annabelle sell out her friend?"

Aldus smiled a little. "Didn't I tell you that there is no such thing as eternal friendships? If someone has a secret, it can leak even if the other person is not willing to speak about it."

I understood the meaning behind Aldus's words. "Are you saying that Marius forced her to talk against her will? Did he torture her?"

"There was no physical pain involved. Don't think about chains, flogging, cutting fingers, and electrocution..."

I swallowed hard at Aldus's words. I was not imagining those things, but after he said it, those images popped into my mind. Why was he so specific?

Aldus chuckled at my silly expression and continued talking.

"I wouldn't call it against her will.", Aldus said mysteriously before clarifying, "Marius has an ability that can make women spill their secrets. I sent him with instructions to investigate rumors and if they are true, to break Duke's legs."

I couldn't believe Aldus said that with a straight face! But that is my father… ready to break the legs of the man who broke my heart.

And there was also the point of Marius being able to bewitch women. I should be wary of him.

…

I entered the shower and warm water streamed down my body. As my muscles relaxed, I realized how tense I was and the solitude allowed me to think about recent events.

Aldus's words echoed in my mind.

Abilities…

Other than fast healing, photographic memory, and speed, I unlocked another ability that was triggered during my phone call with Mona. Aldus said that it's an ability to manipulate air.

Winds, storms... it sounds scary and awesome.

Will I be able to fly? That would be useful, if I can fly fast enough; but not very practical because I can't allow people to see me. What if there is an energy limit and I plop on the ground when I run out of juice? Or maybe I can create wind gusts and blow people away. So many possibilities! On the other side, maybe it's nothing fantastic and my limits are to blow away the debris from the driveway and messing up someone's hairstyle.

How did I unlock this ability? It must be due to sadness and heartbreak when I heard that Duke moved on because of the horrific memories that plagued my mind while I was unconscious... about Duke abandoning me.

I felt my eyes burning as tears swelled in my eyes. Don't think about Duke, Serina...

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