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Serenity

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

Weeks later

I don't know what to call this night.

A comeback?

Maybe, because my debut happened the day JeAnne used the razors to hurt me.

However, “comeback” doesn't seem appropriate.

Fresh start .

Yes, I think that’s a good name.

A new beginning in which I had to accept that the woman I loved like a mother deceived me, betrayed me, and despite saying that she did what she did to protect me, refuses to reveal the identity of my enemies.

Ares even told me that the prosecutor offered a deal, freeing her from the charges if she handed over her accomplices, but she remained silent.

When the last song of Swan Lake reaches its final chords, I feel emotional.

Everything worked out.

No one can stop me from living my life.

As the audience erupts in applause, I focus on the box on the left, where all the Kostanidou and Lykaioses have come to watch me.

Not all the people important to me are in the audience, however. My Greek, whom I can now officially call my boyfriend, since the role of guardian has been transferred, is behind the scenes, waiting for me.

It takes me a few good minutes to finish thanking the audience during the révérence, but as soon as the curtain closes for the final time, I run off the stage to find Ares.

Halfway across, I see the flowers thrown onto the stage by the public. It's common for people to throw roses and even teddy bears at me. But there is one flower, a red rose, with something wrapped around the stem. As I bend down to pick it up, I notice a note tied to it.

I feel my blood run cold because even before I open it, I know it's from him, my stalker.

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."

"How can it not be? You are my woman. My duty is to keep you protected."

"He's like a ghost. Invisible."

"For his sake, he better be. If he's flesh and blood, I won't stop until I destroy him."