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Without thinking about what I'm doing, I return to the curtain, looking through it at the audience that is already starting to disperse. Amidst the confusion of bodies and heads in the crowded theater, I can't see anything.
I remove the note from the flower stem, and when I read it, I feel dizzy.
Your time is coming, traitor.
"Serenity?" I hear Ares calling. He's on stage now too, oblivious to the curious stares of staff and other spectators.
"He’s back." I show him the note, and immediately after reading it, he picks me up and leaves the stage with me.
We were supposed to go to a restaurant to celebrate the performance, but just like what happened at my official debut, plans need to be changed, and we end up at Eleanor's house, me still dressed in the costume I danced in.
"Come here, my child. Let's get you showered," Madison's stepmother calls to me.
Half an hour later, I'm wearing the pink dress I was supposed to wear for the restaurant celebration, but without makeup and with my hair down.
As soon as I leave the bathroom, Debra comes to meet me. "I'm sorry your return was spoiled like this. Ares' cousin Odin is already analyzing all the footage. We're going to get him."
I nod. "I think I should go home."
"No. Your night is not over yet. We have a surprise."
"Surprise?"
"Your Greek man is waiting for you downstairs, with his family."
"I don't think I'm in the mood for celebration, Debra. I don't even know why Ares brought me here."
"Don't let them take away your shine, Serenity. You were spectacular today. The main role of stalkers, people who like to cause fear and insecurity in others, is to incite terror. I'm not saying that what happened should be ignored—Ares is handling it—but you're not going to ruin your special moment because of that motherfucker"
Despite the sadness I'm feeling, I smile. "You never swear."
"I didn't swear. I appropriately named your stalker. Now, let's go downstairs. Everyone is waiting to slice the cake."
"Cake?"
"It is already midnight. Officially, your twenty-first birthday."
"Wow, I didn't even remember."
"But I did," I hear Ares say behind me. "You can go ahead, Debra. I'll take it from here."
She smiles and goes downstairs.
"Your friend is right," he tells me.
"I know, but I'm human, Ares. I can't stop myself from feeling scared."
"And you shouldn't. Fear is a survival tool. Keeps us alert."
"What would you know about that? You're not the type to fear anything."
He pulls me into his arms and kisses the top of my head. "I have only one fear currently."
"Tell me."
His face looks tormented. "I'm afraid something will happen to you. I won't lose you, Serenity. We failed to keep you safe today. I placed a veritable army around the theater, and even so, the bastard snuck in and managed to get close to you."
"It wasn't your fault."