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The night of the gala, Damien sent a car for her.
He stayed at Vivienne's side the entire time. The second Seraphina walked in, his eyes started sending warnings her way.
She dug her nails into her palm and walked up to the microphone, face blank.
"Tonight's gala is my apology to Dr. Ashcroft. The things that went around online were my misunderstanding. Right here, in front of everyone, I'd like to apologize to her."
The ballroom erupted. Guests murmured, outraged — she'd been the reason Vivienne had been torn apart online.
She didn't try to explain.
Apology delivered, she turned to leave.
Vivienne stopped her.
"Oh — Sera, I left something in the car. Something important. Would you run out and grab it for me?"
"Ask a staff member."
"I can't trust anyone else with it. I only trust you." Vivienne tugged Damien's sleeve and pouted.
Damien patted her hand, then turned. His eyes ordered Seraphina to go.
She knew she couldn't refuse. She turned and walked out of the ballroom.
She reached the car. Then — suddenly — the harsh scream of an engine behind her.
Before she could turn, a car skidded to a stop in front of her, and a man in a dark hoodie exploded out of the back.
His eyes were dead. Her stomach dropped. She tried to run.
He grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her backward. His palm cracked across her face, splitting her lip.
"Who are you?" She tasted blood. "There are cameras everywhere. You think you can do this?"
He sneered. "I'm the one hired to teach you a lesson. You went after Ms. Ashcroft. Killing you is less than you deserve."
"Bam —"
He dragged her by the hair and slammed her head into the car window.
"Ah —"
Glass cracked into a red mess.
That was just the first one.
Then another. And another.
Blood and glass rained down on the asphalt.
She fought. She couldn't get free.
"Someone — please —"
In the empty night, only her choked crying carried. Blood ran into her eyes. Consciousness started sliding away. Just as she thought she was going to die, the man dropped her on the ground.
Then the headlights flared. The engine revved. The car started rolling toward her.
"Stop!"
Through the blur, she saw a figure running. Then nothing.