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"But I have no idea how to control these visions. They just... happen." She slumped her shoulders, projecting helplessness.

"You'll learn," he said dismissively. "I'll give you time to figure it out, but not too much. We need to move quickly before Orion catches on."

Seraphina thought about how Orion had tried to originally win her over with lavish gifts and promises of power. Someone like Iverson would believe those tactics worked. She just needed to make him think she could be bought.

"I'm not opposed to working with you," she said, meeting his gaze directly. "But what's in it for me? I mean, besides avoiding these lovely accommodations." She rattled her handcuffs for emphasis.

Surprise flickered across Iverson's face before his expression settled into smug satisfaction. "Name your price. Money, I presume?"

"A girl's got to eat." Seraphina shrugged, forcing a smile. "And preferably in places with better views than this."

Iverson laughed, the sound echoing off the stark walls. "If you earn your keep, you'll be rewarded handsomely. We could make quite the team, Miss Lucero."

"Your plan is brilliant," she gushed, swallowing her disgust. "Using a Luna's power to amplify your own abilities... I'm surprised no one's thought of it before."

His chest puffed with pride. "Few have my vision or determination."

"I can see that now." She glanced meaningfully at her restraints. "Any chance we could continue this discussion without these? Hard to feel like a partner when I'm chained up."

He studied her for a long moment, then reached into his pocket for a small key. "I suppose we should start building trust."

As he unlocked the cuffs, Seraphina rubbed her wrists, relief flooding through her. "Thank you. And maybe... could I use your phone? Just to call Abby?"

Iverson raised an eyebrow.

"To tell her I've accepted a job with the esteemed Senator Iverson," she explained quickly. "She'll be so jealous when I tell her about all this." She gestured vaguely around them.

Pride and vanity won out over caution. He pulled his phone from his pocket and handed it to her. "Keep it brief."

As her fingers closed around the device, a sudden warmth flooded through Seraphina's veins, radiating from her core to her fingertips. The sensation was intimate like being wrapped in a familiar embrace. Then came the voice—not audible but resonating within her mind.

I'm here, sweetheart. Hold on.

Orion. The certainty of it took her breath away. Somehow, impossibly, she could feel him getting closer, his determination a tangible force pushing through the distance between them.

Seraphina clutched the phone tighter, hope blooming in her chest. She just needed to stall a little longer.

Orion was close—she could feel him like a warm current flowing through her veins. As her fingers gripped the sleek device, a brilliant plan crystallized in her mind, so sudden and clear it felt like another vision.

She glanced down at the screen, noting with silent triumph that Iverson's Instagram was already open. The Live feature beckoned like a lighthouse.

"Hi, Abby!" Seraphina injected false cheer into her voice, not dialing anyone but watching Iverson's reaction. "I know, I'm so sorry I haven't called you in a few days."

Iverson folded his arms, his stance relaxing slightly as he observed her performance. Seraphina paused naturally as if listening to Abby's response.

"No, no—you won't believe what happened!" She twirled a strand of hair around her finger. "Senator Iverson approached me with this amazing job opportunity. Can you believe it? Me, working for someone so important!"

She caught Iverson's pleased smile from the corner of her eye. Men like him were all the same—susceptible to flattery, arrogant enough to believe their own myth. The scientist in her found his predictability almost disappointing.

"Yes, I'm at his private island right now. It's absolutely gorgeous!" Seraphina continued, pausing again. "Oh, I'm learning so much from him. He's absolutely brilliant."

Iverson preened, turning briefly to look at his Apple watch. In that precious moment, Seraphina's thumb darted to the livestream button and pressed it. A subtle red glow confirmed the broadcast had begun as she continued her fake conversation.

"I'll call you later with all the details, promise. Love you too, bye!" She held the phone out to Iverson with a small smile. "Abby says congratulations on your brilliant new hire."

Iverson took the phone, slipping it back into his pocket with an indulgent smirk. "Now, where were we?"

"You were explaining your plan," Seraphina prompted, widening her eyes in feigned admiration. "I'm still trying to understand how everything fits together. Your vision is so... complex."