Page 24

NINETEEN

SERAPHINA

T he limousine glided to a stop in front of Senator Iverson's private island estate.

The white mansion's imposing structure perched dramatically on the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean.

Seraphina shifted uncomfortably, the fabric of her dress suddenly feeling too thin against her skin as a chill ran through her body.

The material that had felt perfect for Orion's private island now seemed inadequate protection against what she knew was coming.

Her mind raced with the horrific visions that had assaulted her since leaving Orion's island—Iverson transforming into a monstrous wolf, tearing Orion apart, and enslaving his pack. Then the even more immediate vision of herself handcuffed to a chair, trapped and powerless.

"Welcome to my humble abode." Senator Iverson's voice was smooth as silk as he opened the limo door himself, offering his hand with practiced charm.

Seraphina hesitated before accepting it, forcing a smile. "It's... impressive."

"Wait until you see the inside. I designed it myself." He guided her up the marble steps, his fingers gripping her elbow just a little too firmly. "Abby's been quite anxious to see you."

The mention of her friend gave Seraphina a momentary spark of hope. If Abby was truly here, maybe she could signal her somehow to get help.

The mansion's interior was a study in cold elegance—white marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and artwork that probably cost more than her entire year's salary. Two men in dark suits flanked the entrance, their eyes watchful beneath expressionless faces.

"Where's Abby?" Seraphina asked, turning in a small circle, searching for any sign of her blonde friend.

The distinct sound of a lock clicking into place behind her made her stomach drop.

"About that..." Senator Iverson's charming smile twisted into something predatory. "Abby never knew you were gone."

The two suited men moved to block the entrance completely, their jackets shifting to reveal holstered weapons.

"What are you talking about?" Seraphina backed away, her heart pounding.

"I made that whole story up." He shrugged, looking almost proud of himself. "I needed your cooperation, and what better way than to convince you that your best friend was worried?"

"It was you," she whispered, realization dawning with crystal clarity. "You broke into my house in Miami."

"Guilty." He spread his hands. "When I found you weren't home, I had to improvise. Found your friend Abby's picture and contact information in your papers. It provided the perfect cover story."

Rage bubbled up inside her. "You invaded my home and then manipulated me? Why would you do all this?"

"Because you're special, Seraphina." His ice-blue eyes glinted with ambition. "Those visions of yours—they're going to help me achieve greatness. We could be partners."

"Partners?" She let out a hollow laugh. "I'm not some tool to be used."

Seraphina spun on her heel and bolted deeper into the mansion, her sundress fluttering behind her as she raced through opulent rooms, desperately seeking an exit. She spotted French doors leading to a terrace at the back of the house and lunged for them.

She never made it.

One moment she was running, the next Iverson was in front of her, moving with impossible speed. His hands clamped around her wrists.

"That was rather disappointing." He clicked his tongue. "I'd hoped you might be more reasonable."

"Let go of me!" She struggled against his grip, but it was like fighting against steel.

"I'm afraid we need a more secure location for our discussion." He dragged her toward an elevator tucked discreetly in a side hallway, swiping a keycard before punching a code into the panel.

The doors slid open with a soft chime that seemed obscenely pleasant given the circumstances. Seraphina fought every step, but his strength made her efforts futile. The elevator descended smoothly, opening onto a stark white corridor that looked more like a laboratory than a home.

"Third door," he said, more to himself than to her, pulling her down the hallway.

The room was small and clinical with a single metal chair bolted to the floor in its center. Seraphina's vision from the plane was materializing before her eyes.

"Please don't do this," she pleaded as he forced her into the chair.

"I didn't want to resort to this," he said, securing metal cuffs around her wrists. "But since you refuse to be cooperative, you leave me no choice."

Seraphina tested the restraints, finding them unyielding. "You'll never get away with this."

"I'm a United States Senator with connections in every branch of government." He straightened his tie. "I already have."

As the door closed behind him, Seraphina slumped in the chair, momentary despair washing over her.

Within minutes, the door to the small room swung open with a metallic clang. Senator Iverson strode in, carrying a metal chair. He'd removed his suit jacket, and the sleeves of his crisp white shirt were rolled up to his elbows, revealing tanned forearms corded with muscle.

"Have you calmed down enough for a civilized conversation?" He pulled open the metal chair and sat across from her, his legs spread wide in a display of dominance.

Seraphina tested the handcuffs once more, wincing as the cold metal bit into her wrists. "What exactly is there to discuss when I'm chained to a chair?"

"Our partnership, of course," he drawled, leaning forward slightly. "Your visions combined with my influence—we could reshape the world."

"World domination? Seriously?" Seraphina kept her voice level despite the panic bubbling underneath.

Iverson chuckled. "I prefer to think of it as global restructuring. And just so you know, you're not the first Luna I've tracked, but you're certainly the most promising."

Seraphina's mind raced. Her vision showed her refusing him, and that path led to disaster. She needed to try something different, and just maybe, it would lead to a better outcome.

"You know," he continued, leaning forward further, "I've been alive just as long as your precious Orion. Four centuries of watching him squander the power he never deserved."

"Four hundred years?" Seraphina widened her eyes in feigned surprise.

"Our packs were rivals. I should have been the one to rise to power." His jaw tightened. "But Orion played to the masses, cultivating their loyalty with his bleeding heart and noble gestures." He spat the last words like they tasted bitter.

"So this is about revenge?" Seraphina asked.

"This is about claiming what should have been mine all along." His eyes glinted with cold ambition. "With your visions guiding me, I'll finally take everything from him."

Seraphina remembered her vision of Orion's death and swallowed hard. She had to play this carefully.

"You know," she said, her voice softening to a conspiratorial tone, "Orion wanted to use my powers too. That's why he took me from my house. He said he had plans for me."

Iverson straightened, interest piqued. "Go on."

"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 live stream 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."

The word stroked his ego exactly as she'd intended. Iverson straightened, expanding his chest like a peacock displaying its feathers.

"The brilliance lies in its simplicity," he began, pacing the floor with self-importance. "With your visions to guide me, I'll anticipate my enemies' every move. I'll know which senators to blackmail, which judges to bribe, and which legislation to push through."

Seraphina tilted her head attentively while silently counting the seconds of the broadcast in her head. Every moment he spoke was another nail in his political coffin.

"And the wolf packs?" she asked innocently. "You mentioned reshaping them too?"

"The packs are weak, divided by outdated traditions," he scoffed. "My first target is Orion's pack. Once I eliminate him and claim his Luna—that's you, dear—other packs will fall in line or face extinction."

Seraphina's stomach churned at his casual mention of Orion's murder, but she kept her expression neutral. "And what happens to the humans who get in your way?"

"Humans?" He laughed coldly. "They'll remain blissfully ignorant cattle, serving their purpose until we no longer need them. Those who resist will become prey."

A series of vibrations suddenly emanated loudly from Iverson's pocket. At first, he ignored them, but as the buzzing continued insistently, annoyed confusion crossed his face. He yanked the phone out—and froze.

His face transformed before her eyes, draining of color before flooding crimson with rage. His cold blue eyes widened, darting from the screen to her face as comprehension dawned.

"You conniving little bitch," he snarled, fury distorting his handsome features. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"

Seraphina backed away as Iverson jabbed frantically at his phone screen, but the damage was done. Comments were already flooding in. His carefully constructed political persona unraveled with each passing second.

"My career... my reputation..." He stared at the screen in horror before hurling the phone against the wall where it shattered into pieces. "It's all gone!"

Seraphina edged toward the door, but Iverson moved with unnatural speed, blocking her path. His eyes had changed, a yellow glow now infusing the blue.

"Nothing more dangerous than a man with nothing left to lose," he growled, teeth elongating slightly as he spoke. "And you've taken everything from me."

In two quick strides, he crossed the room and slammed her against the wall, one hand wrapping around her throat. Seraphina gasped as his fingers tightened, cutting off her air supply.

Black spots danced at the edges of Seraphina's vision as she clawed desperately at his hand. She had gambled everything on her plan—had it all been for nothing?