I tried to swallow but couldn’t. My mouth was too dry.
“So why is it so fucking hard for you to believe in the concept of shape-shifters?” she snarled. “Especially when they’ve existed in our planet’s lore for two thousand years?”
She was right, of course. She always was. I hated her for it, but it’s what we all loved about her too.
“Alright,” I said. Then, more begrudgingly: “Sorry.”
Her expression softened, but not by much. I’d still woken her up. I’d still signed my name at the very top of her shit list. But I sensed she was done chewing my ass out, at least for now.
“Now if you’re through trying to disprove what I already know, I’ll give you the details of your assignment.”
Should’ve done that already… I wanted to say. But of course I didn’t.
My phone dinged. A message had come through, along with a photograph.
“Go on. Pull that up,” said Xiomara.
I did… and what I saw was amazing. I stared at it for half a minute, pinching my fingers against the screen to zoom in on every last tiny detail.
“Is… Is that what I think it is?” I said into the phone.
“Yes.”
“And it’s real?”
“It is, Ms. Weston. One-hundred percent genuine.”
I flipped the phone back to Xiomara, who was staring down her nose at me.
“Wow.”
“Wow indeed,” said the Head of the Order.
“And they’re going to help us?” I asked, suddenly excited. “They know where to look for—”
“Yes,” she interjected. “They do. And they’re helping us because they owe us, to a certain extent. But they’re assisting us for another reason. Because I promised you would help them.”
I was confused now. “Help them?”
“It’ll be dangerous,” the old woman said, ignoring me. “But you’ll be strong enough if the three of you stay together. Remember how your abilities work, Serena. The closer you are to these men, the more powerful you’ll be.”
Her last words were strange, considering what had happened between me and Damien, and for one heart-stopping moment I thought she knew. Probably not, I realized. Because if she had, she would’ve already eaten me alive.
“I know you love Europe as much as a shit sundae,” she sighed. “But I sent you because you’re the best, Ms. Weston. Or at least, that’s what you keep fucking reminding me.”
“You know I am,” I said, and I meant it.
Her quick nod was almost an agreement. Or at least that’s how I took it.
“Good. Now shut up and listen. Because here’s what I need you to do…”
11
SERENA
I returned to the kitchen to the most amazing smell of bacon and eggs. Damien and Broderick were sitting down, and had already started to eat as I slid into the seat between them.
“Alright, I’m in,” I said. “But on two conditions.”