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

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~ Alps, Austria ~

From the helicopter, I stared blankly at the dense forest below us. The endless green was disturbed by an occasional crystal clear lake and some large rocks as the snow-covered mountain peaks were passing on our left and right.

The view was majestic, yet my mind was stuck on the letter I received. Or to be more precise, on the note that came with it, "We need to talk, Serina. Duke".

Oh, God! It's him!

That tiny note flipped my world upside down and destroyed more than two years of me convincing myself that it will pass.

I can't lie to myself.

I drowned in lessons and practice because that was the only way for me to clog my mind with information so that there is no space for Duke. And I believed that I'm doing fine. Until today.

I deceived myself that I'm ready to let go of the memory of Duke.

I convinced myself that I was doing well but then he would show up in my dream and hold me in his embrace, and in the morning the cycle of forgetting him would start again.

I did it so many times that his presence lingers around me like second nature, and I thought that I'm used to it.

The reality slapped me harshly, reminding me I wrapped myself with lies. The lies are gone, exposing my insecurities, and I feel that I'm going to fall apart.

Duke sent me an invitation to come to London for a reunion, and he said that we need to talk. It's such a simple thing, yet I'm a mess.

If he wants to talk, why didn't he send me a phone number? Or an email?

Who am I kidding? I know his phone number (cell phone and his work phone number), and I have his email, and I would never use it.

The fear of rejection is overpowering my desire to see him, and I curse him for disturbing my peace because I was used to the current situation. OK. Maybe not used to it, but I convinced myself that this is the only way to avoid another heartbreak. But now this happened, and my stomach is full of knots that are tightening painfully with every breath I take.

Well, at least I'm not thinking about the upcoming event anymore.

Ah! He knows I'm Seraphina. He knows about my relationship with Mona.

After opening that letter, I didn't get a chance to call Mona and find out how the heck she got this letter because I had to get ready and Calista was pestering me for answers. I told Calista that we will talk after the event, and I will call Mona first thing in the morning.

Duke made sure I get the invitation for the reunion, and he sent me a personal note (now upgraded to status: treasure) that he wants us to talk. What does this mean?

My heart is thundering, and my mind is in disarray. No matter what I do, my thoughts are drifting toward Duke and that note, and I feel restless like an ant in a hot wok.

A palm tapped my shoulder and I jumped in fright.

"It will be alright, Serina…", Aldus looked at me with concern.

Ah, he thinks that I'm a mess because of the event. He doesn't know about the letter and Calista's sly smile told me she already came to her own conclusions, and she was enjoying this.

"I know it will, father…", I responded while hoping that he will not see through me.

I don't want Aldus to know about the letter now. It's not that I want to keep it a secret from him, but if I tell him now, he will ask many questions and I don't want to talk about it.

Focus on the event, Serina, or people will start talking about how Aldus's daughter is mentally unstable.

The helicopter took a turn around one of the Alpine peaks and my eyes widened at the majestic castle that emerged.

White towers extended tall above lush green canopies, and they were connected by a wall that circled around the main building. The only road leading toward the structure ended at the gatehouse with portcullis.

The massive castle was nestled next to a steep rocky mountain whose orange hues were sliced by the white waterfalls that emerged from the mountain. Breathtaking.

"This is where the Council meets. You can consider it their headquarters.", Aldus said while his eyes rested on the castle. There was some longing in his gaze that disappeared so fast that I wondered if I imagined it.

"Aldi would spend a lot of time there if he didn't reject his rightful place as the councilmember.", Calista chimed in.

"Why did you refuse?", I asked Aldus.

Aldus looked away from the castle and Calista responded to my question, "Aldi never liked politics. The Council requires a lot of balancing and lying through teeth with a smile."

"Aren't all members of the Council wise and powerful? Why would they play games?"

Calista burst into giggles. "Ah, you have no idea. You will find out tonight. Keep your ears and your eyes open, Serina. Who knows what you might see?"

Those were some wise words from a female who spent the last two years partying through Europe and relying on her big brother to clean up after her.

The helicopter landed in the inner court, and we were escorted by the servants in sharp black suits to the massive entry of the main building.

I was on Aldus's right and Calista on his left.

He offered us an arm each, and we linked them together, making him glance at each of us before lifting his chin and walking inside proudly.

I was aware that the event has three parts.

The first one is mingling with cocktails, then it's dinner, and the last part is with drinks, snacks, and dancing.

The main hallway was massive, but not very luxurious. Floor and staircases were made out of neatly cut rocks and the humongous chandelier made out of wood and lined up with candles stood out in the otherwise gray surrounding that was disturbed by an occasional statue of humans in various positions. I wondered if these statues are council members.

Aldus told me that other than the representatives from the hunters' association, no one else is human in the Council.

He warned me not to ask anyone what they are because if I'm supposed to know, I would know.

Aldus told me so many things, and all of them were about what NOT to do, but the only thing on my mind is the note with: "We need to talk…".

Damn it! I thought I could hold myself together, but just a tiny note turned me into a complete mess and I'm so jittery that I feel like puking.

Ah, we are about to enter the main area where the guests are! Focus, Serina. Focus!

The ballroom was buzzing with chatter over the soft music, and I observed it as we approached the doors.

Polished wooden floors reflected numerous lights that were attached to the walls and hanging from the ceiling in the form of crystal chandeliers. The walls had intricate designs surrounding mirrors and exquisite paintings.

"Lord Aldus Mezzanotte with Lady Calista Mezzanotte and Lady Seraphina Mezzanotte!", the man who was standing at the door shouted, and I was happy that I didn't jump in fright. That would be embarrassing.

Wait! He introduced me as Lady Seraphina. I could get used to that.

A second later, I controlled myself not to shrink when I noticed many eyes focused on the three of us as we entered the room.

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. It's time to mingle.

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