Chapter 28: Fundraiser

SERAPHINA

I was practically vibrating with anticipation as I admired my reflection in the mirror. The blue dress I wore was a mermaid style, hugging my waist and completely backless, leaving just enough to the imagination. I traced my finger over Jack’s ring, my mind going over what Aleksandr had said.

Then, my finger traced my own wedding band. Tears welled in my eyes as I battled with the same thoughts I had had since this morning. I knew Aleksandr had a point.

I quickly wiped them away, careful not to smudge the heavy makeup that concealed the bags under my eyes from another sleepless night. It was a night I really hadn’t needed before an important charity event, but it occurred nonetheless with Chen’s men making a move on several factories in the south.

Knowing that sleepless nights were part of the job description didn’t make it any easier when it came to personal matters. Especially one that should be easy.

The idea of removing both rings was an easy feat, but the emotional turmoil behind it was eating me up inside. A soft knock rang at the door. My fingers firmly grasped both rings as I slowly removed them.

I hoped it wasn’t Aleksandr. I didn’t want to prove him right.

“Come in,” I called out.

A guard I didn’t recognize opened the door to reveal a less than thrilled Lilith with her arms crossed. She walked in as if she was afraid she might break something, her wide eyes taking in the room despite her defensive posture.

Seeing her made me break into a wide smile as I emerged from my closet. I placed my rings in a dish near a dresser on the way.

“Lilith!”

“Damn, Seraphina, you’re really loaded,” she said. Her eyes grew wider as she took in my dress and the array of jewelry, watches, shoes, and sunglasses on display.

“You’re always welcome to stay in a guest room,” I teased, though the offer was sincere.

Lilith let out a nervous laugh as the door closed behind her. She gave me a once-over, shaking her head with a small smile on her face. Her expression was a mix of envy and awe, like someone stepping into a fairy tale.

“You look stunning,” she said.

“You’re about to look even more amazing,” I said, pointing to three dresses hanging in a corner that were her size. I had chosen them carefully, knowing they would flatter her.

“Champagne?” I asked, grabbing a bottle on top of the dresser I had set aside. I pulled out two glasses.

“Sure. Are you alright? You’re not wearing your ring.”

I waved a hand dismissively, already halfway through my drink. “I’m fine. I just had someone point out that I may still be mourning Jack. That’s all,” I said, raising my glass in a toast.

Lilith raised hers in response, looking both surprised and confused as I waved off the question.

“Did the police find a lead?” she asked cautiously, choosing her words carefully as if not to upset me. She wondered if that’s why I had suddenly just moved on.

“This isn’t about the guys you’re seeing, is it? If one of them pressured you—“

“No,” I replied, feeling guilt creep up my neck. “No one pressured me. It was just time,” I said softly, passing her a glass before running my fingers over my hand. “It is a little weird though. I feel really naked.”

“Well, that’s pretty normal, I would imagine,” Lilith mused, lifting her glass in thanks before taking a small sip.

“Anyways,” I said, attempting to change the subject as I put down my glass. I was already focused on the dresses. “Which color were you wanting? I seriously think this pink is a little much, but considering your skin tone, it may really be a hit.”

As I talked, I walked over and pulled off my favorite one, which was blue. I knew I had matching necklaces and sapphires for it.

“This one, though, will really compliment your cleavage.”

“I suppose that’s…convenient,” Lilith said, something strange about her tone as I began to turn around.

I tried to look at her, but I was frozen as a low hum filled the room.

An intense magical sedative made my body feel heavy. Her lips moved as she texted on her phone, walking next to me to rehang the dress, not even bothering to look at me.

Lilith was more dangerous than I could have ever imagined, evident in every step she took around me. The façade she had maintained as my friend crumbled abruptly. She was a masterful actress as her body language shifted into a form I didn’t recognize.

Her lips moved, her song washing over me in waves. It seemed to exert her power and control over my body. I was torn between two distressing realities: the one where Lilith was my friend, and the one where she was circling back around to possibly kill me.

The fact that my muscles refused to respond as I tried to scream was the worst part. It was as if I were paralyzed. The echo of Jack’s words in my ears was a lesson now learned the hard way.

“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer…it’s another reason I’d rather keep you close to the estate,” he would always say, effectively ending our arguments about me leaving the house.

I had been manipulated. It had been a long game of me being far too trusting with someone Jack had been wary of.

Her song began to fade as she pocketed her phone. Arms folded, she finally turned to face me with an expression I had never seen before. It was ugly, twisted with delight and a hint of malice I couldn’t begin to understand. As if the real Lilith had been washed away in an instant. Jack’s ring was on her finger as she smiled at me.

“I really thought this was going to be more difficult, but you really liked me, didn’t you? Lonely little widow,” she sighed softly, tracing a finger over my lower lip as tears streamed down my cheeks. My eyes were unable to blink.

“I really thought you’d be easier to kill when I tried to shoot you after the funeral. It really had Damien’s panties in a twist for a few days with the attempt on your life.”

Her giggle was just as vile as the smirk on her face as she looked me over. Her face twisted, warped so far with hate from the one I knew.

“You’re just as vile as your husband, no matter how much you use that pretty face to feign innocence. I feel no guilt in taking down another billionaire who wants to play God with the lives of others. I think the bonus is the look of frozen shock on your face right now.

“It suits you, considering how naive you are. Do you have any idea how irritating it’s been having to be your friend? ‘Oh God, I got fucked so good by two men right after my husband left me millions upon billions of dollars—’ all you do is whine!”

“As if anyone cares about your trivial, insignificant problems while the rest of the world is in chaos. This world that you humans should be cherishing, instead of perpetuating the same wars fueled by the greed of a few. It’s disgusting.”

The door to my room swung open during Lilith’s tirade. My heart leapt with hope. I prayed that one of the guards had been alerted by the sound-sensitive cameras in the hallway.

My hope quickly turned into deeper disappointment.

“On another rant again? There’s no need to monologue in front of the ingredients.”

A chill ran through me at Damien’s words. The world spun as I felt adrenaline course through me, everything turning topsy-turvy for a moment. Finally, I understood Lilith’s words.

~Damien.~

The one who was supposed to protect me, who had been my protector since I woke up in the hospital.

The only other person I felt safe with, besides Jack. Even as he stepped in front of me, I wanted it to be a cruel joke. A terrible misunderstanding.

He had been there, right beside me, escorting me home the night Jack died. Watching over me every night since…

~He was right there with me.~

“How long will this hold her for?” he asked, stepping in front of me, his eyes scanning my statue-like figure.

“Another minute or two at best before it’ll fade. Rafe should be arriving any minute. I can still sing her a few more times tonight.”

“His pack master?”

“Already distracted with something else,” Lilith replied cheerfully, as if she had thought of everything. “She’ll be his last priority and we all know how Aleksandr feels about her. He’s not even on the invitation list so nothing’s changed there.”

“Good. I expect you and Rafe to keep her under control until we’re ready for the ceremony,” Damien stated calmly as Lilith handed him Jack’s ring.

My heart sank into my stomach as I stared at it.

He smiled with quiet satisfaction as he slid it onto his middle finger, taking a moment to admire it. “I thought of taking this days ago—” Damien began, his eyes slowly lifting to really look at me.

“—But honestly, I thought to let you enjoy yourself a little longer. I was going to give you your first and final dance of the evening,” he said, his voice dripping with malice.

“Seeing the despair in your eyes that neither halfwit showed up, I planned to slip the ring from your finger. I would explain all the terrible deeds that made us justify you as a sacrifice for tonight.”

He paused, a cruel smile playing on his lips. “I suppose it’s for the better though that Lilith caught you without the ring. It’s quicker to get things over with when you don’t have the orb of Demeter protecting you.”