The next morning dawned quietly, the city bathed in soft golden light as the sun climbed above the horizon. Downtown Zodiac was slower to wake than the rest of the islands; its mornings belonged to the upper class, unhurried and serene. Seventeen watched the city through the window of her temporary apartment, her eyes tracing the shapes of the marble structures that lined the streets. It was far too perfect, this place. Like a set stage waiting for its actors to arrive.
A smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she sipped her tea. Its name was Airborne Delight, a tea she couldn't help but to taste it everytime she could, unfortunately it's a rich specialty from Twinscott, the land of Gemini, produced there and only seen in the market of Twinscott and Downtown Zodiac, it cost a considerable penny but it was worthy. It was made of hibiscus and lemon thyme, and to her, it was the best uplifting brew there were.
The night before had been a success. Not flawless, but close enough. She'd slipped into the group with ease, planting herself like a seed in their midst. Now it was just a matter of waiting for them to lower their defenses, one by one.
She thought of Draco's icy stare and how it had lingered just a second too long when he'd met her. His suspicion was evident, but that was expected. He wouldn't trust her, not yet—perhaps not ever—but trust wasn't her goal. Influence was. And eventually, she would have it, even from him. Especially from him.
["Let him watch all he wants,"] she mused, placing her empty teacup on the windowsill. ["I'll make sure he sees only what I want him to."]
※※※
Draco de Lavissaye was many things, but slow to act was not one of them. The moment Serena had left the gala the night before, his instincts had begun to flare. Something wasn't right. She had slipped too easily into the group, her presence too perfectly timed, her demeanor too polished. She was a puzzle, and Draco hated puzzles.
Now, standing on the balcony of his family's villa in Whiteland, he stared out over the sprawling marble city, his mind running through the events of the previous night. The others seemed to have accepted her without question, especially Claus, who had practically fallen over himself to welcome her into the fold. Draco's lips curled into a sneer at the memory.
["Fool,"] he thought. Claus was too trusting, too eager to see the good in everyone. That weakness would be his downfall if he wasn't careful.
Draco's grip tightened on the railing. No one just strolled into their lives, into the prophecy that laced the six of them together, without a reason. And no one with such a practiced exterior was ever what they seemed.
"I don't like her," Light said suddenly from behind him, her voice breaking the morning silence. She stepped onto the balcony, her boots tapping against the marble floor. "Serena."
Draco didn't turn. "I didn't think you would."
Light crossed her arms, leaning against the railing beside him, her expression tight. "She's too... something. I can't put my finger on it yet, but something's off. You feel it too."
It wasn't a question. Draco had known Light long enough to recognize her blunt nature. She trusted her instincts as much as he trusted his own, and in this case, they were aligned.
"She's hiding something," Draco muttered, his gaze still fixed on the city below. "No one that polished is genuine."
Light snorted. "Tell that to Claus. He's already planning her invitation to the next royal ball."
Draco's eyes narrowed. "Claus will do what Claus does. We need to stay focused. She's here for a reason. We just don't know what it is yet."
"Do you think she knows about...?" Light let her words trail off, but Draco knew what she was asking. Did Serena know about the prophecy? About the mission they were all bound to?
"I don't know," he admitted, his voice low. "But I intend to find out."
※※※
Meanwhile, Seventeen—now fully Serena—was on her way to the hospital. The streets were bustling now, and she walked with a light step, blending in effortlessly with the city's rhythm. Her destination was a large white building at the center of Downtown Zodiac, an impressive structure that served as both a hospital and a research center for those with medical gifts. It was the perfect cover for her.
She stepped inside, greeted by the sterile smell of antiseptic and the quiet hum of voices. Serena D'Angelo, the bright and skilled healer from a distant district, had secured a position here with minimal effort. After all, who wouldn't want someone with her talents? Someone so kind and warm.
But as Seventeen moved through the hospital halls, her thoughts remained on the group from the night before. She'd played her role well, but the true test was yet to come. She needed to be careful, to keep her distance emotionally while slowly weaving herself deeper into their trust.
Her thoughts were interrupted when a nurse approached, clipboard in hand. "Miss D'Angelo, Dr. Estelle would like to see you in her office."
Seventeen smiled brightly, slipping into her role without a second thought. "Of course! I'll be right there."
※※※
Draco had never been one for social calls, but today he made an exception. After leaving Whiteland, he made his way to Downtown Zodiac, to the very hospital where Serena had claimed to work. His steps were purposeful, his mind sharp with suspicion. He wasn't about to sit idly by while a potential threat moved unchecked, he couldn't risk his safety or the safety of his friends, he had lost one them when they were kids, he wasn't going to let that happen again. The pain of that loss still lingered deep within his heart, side-by-side with the loss of his sister.
As he entered the hospital, the cold sterility of the place made his skin prickle. He had always hated places like this—too clean, too bright. His presence drew a few curious glances, but no one stopped him. His family name carried enough weight to silence any questions.
His cousin Claus may be the one with the Crowned Prince title, by in the Zodiac Kingdom, all their heirs have the same weight and power as Princes and Princesses. Their overbearing parents made sure of it. He was the closest one to actual royalty after Claus, after all, their mothers were sisters, for better or worse.
It didn't take long to find Serena. She was in one of the patient wards, speaking softly to an older man who looked to be in his sixties. Draco lingered in the shadows, watching her work. She moved with such practiced ease, her hands gentle as she healed a small wound on the man's arm. The smile on her face was warm, genuine, and for a moment, Draco almost believed it.
But then she glanced up, and their eyes met.
There was no surprise in her gaze, no falter in her expression. She merely smiled, as though she'd expected him to be there all along.
"Draco," she said warmly, excusing herself from the patient and approaching him. "This is a surprise. Are you feeling alright? You don't look like the kind of man who visits hospitals often."
Her tone was light, teasing, but Draco didn't miss the flicker of something darker in her eyes. ["She is good. Too good."]
"I'm fine," he replied, his voice cold. "Just thought I'd stop by."
Her smile widened, but Draco noticed the slight tension in her posture. She wasn't rattled, but she was wary. ["Good. She should be."]
"Well, I'm glad you did," she said, brushing a loose golden curl behind her ear. "I was hoping to get to know you better. We didn't have much time to talk last night."
Draco's eyes narrowed. She was pushing now, trying to lure him in. He wouldn't fall for it.
"You've been busy," he said, his tone flat.
Serena tilted her head, studying him. "I suppose I have. But we'll have plenty of time, won't we? After all, we're all in this together now."
The way she said it, so casually, made Draco's skin crawl. She knew more than she was letting on. He could feel it.
Before he could respond, a nurse approached Serena, apologizing for the interruption. "Miss D'Angelo, your next patient is ready."
Serena nodded, her smile never wavering. "Of course. Duty calls."
Draco didn't move as she turned to leave, her footsteps echoing softly in the hall. He watched her go, his mind racing. She was dangerous, of that he was certain. But the question remained: what was her endgame?
As he left the hospital, Draco made a silent vow. He would unravel Serena D'Angelo's secrets, no matter how deeply they were buried. And when he did, she would wish she had never crossed into his world.
※※※
Back at the hospital, Seventeen allowed herself a brief moment of reflection as she tended to her patient. Draco was watching her more closely now, and she had to be careful. But she was used to people like him—people who thought they could control everything with suspicion and power, that wasn't her first mission after all, even if it was the most important of all.
["Let him come closer,"] she thought, her hands glowing softly as she healed the small cuts on the patient's skin. ["The closer he gets, the easier it'll be to pull him apart."]
A smile played on her lips as she finished her work, stepping back to admire her handiwork. She was patient. She could wait. The threads were already beginning to unravel.
And soon, she would be the one holding them all.