Chapter - Three

Serafina POV

Pacing back and forth in the room, guilt claws at me. This is my fault. I should’ve been faster. Smarter. I let that small win get to my head, and now Kael is paying for it.

Standing by the window, my eyes catch Zavier’s dark blond hair in the sunlight. He’s talking to Jero, his right-hand man.

I study him carefully. If I want to get Kael out, I’ll need help from within. Someone close to Zavier. Jero could be that person. The kind of man who looks like he can handle anything.

His green eyes suddenly meet mine, like he feels me watching. His brown wavy hair catches the light. Tanned skin. Sharp features.

Zavier follows his gaze.

The moment his cold eyes lock onto mine, anger flares in my chest. He says something to Jero. Jero’s head snaps toward him.But Zavier doesn’t look away.

Neither do I. It feels like a silent standoff. I’m not the one to break first. Eventually, he does, turning back to Jero. A soft knock pulls me away. My muscles tense.

“Come in.”

I shift into a ready stance, prepared for anything. The door opens.

A woman steps in wearing cargo pants, a fitted black tee, and her hair pulled into a tight bun. An earpiece sits snug against her ear.

“I’m Madison. Your bodyguard,” she says.

“More like a spy,” I mutter. She doesn’t react. American accent.

She snaps her fingers, and another woman enters, pushing a rack of clothes.

“You can choose anything you like, ma’am. Dinner at 8 p.m. Sir Zavier has arranged this date.”

“I’m not going anywhere. Tell him that,” I reply. “And call me Serafina.” I turn to the clothes, picking out a few things before heading to change. Later, freshly dressed in jeans, a black off-shoulder blouse, and sneakers, I step out of the room.

Madison stands outside, already waiting. Of course she does. I say nothing.

She follows.

The mansion is massive. Every hallway is monitored, every door digitally locked with alarms, guards at every corner. No blind spots. No easy way out.

“If you want, I can give you a tour.”

I turn to find Jero. White shirt, sleeves rolled up. Black slacks. Calm. Confident. Those green eyes watch me with quiet curiosity.

“I think I’ll manage,” I say, continuing forward.

“You might get lost in this maze,” he says, falling into step beside me. “Wouldn’t want trouble on your first day at the Ventura estate.”

“Fine. If you insist,” I say coldly. We walk across the Carrara marble floors. I glance up at the Murano glass chandelier above.

“What do you want to see, Serafina?” he asks, my name rolling off his tongue with something too smooth behind it.

“Maybe the dungeon,” I reply.

“Ah… looking for your friend,” Jero says easily. We reach a corner of the basement, the same direction I came from earlier.

“You want to know a fun fact?” he adds.

“What is it?”

“I’m the one who captured Kael. You know ‘Invisible’ is his codename, right? All those successful missions,” he says.

“Don’t flatter yourself.” Zavier’s voice cuts in. He steps out from the shadows, his knuckles bruised and stained with blood.

My stomach drops. Did he hurt Kael? Anger surges through me, sharp and relentless. But underneath it is worry.

I know he can handle himself. He always does. I care about him too much to pretend it doesn’t get to me.

“Where are you taking her?” Zavier asks, lighting a cigarette, his gaze shifting between me and Jero.

“She wants to see Kael,” Jero says casually. “Misses her boyfriend.”

“Excuse me. He’s not my boyfriend,” I say steadily.

“Well, the reports say you have a crush on him,” Jero adds. They have such kind of intel. Someone inside the Academy.

“Don’t bother taking her down there. I already knocked him out,” Zavier says with a cruel smile. Pain twists in my chest.

“I still want to see him,” I say.

“Did you agree to go on a dinner date with me?” Zavier asks.

“Hell no.”

“Then you don’t get access to your friend,” he replies calmly. I frown, forcing my anger down. Jero leans closer, his voice low near my ear.

“You should say yes,” he murmurs. “Friendly advice: don’t piss him off. He might kill your friend.”

A chill runs through me. But I don’t show it.

“If I go to this ridiculous dinner date with you, I get to see Kael?” I ask.

“Yes,” Zavier says. “I keep my promises.” I don’t believe that for a second. But I need to know where Kael is. If he’s even alive.

“So,” Zavier continues, his distant gaze fixed on me, “are you in or out, princess?”

“Okay,” I say calmly. Inside, the anger burns hotter. If I go to that dinner, I might actually kill him. The thought almost makes me happy.

“Are you planning to kill me on our dinner date?” Zavier asks, stepping closer. "You can try to do so."

“Tempting,” I reply coldly. “I’d love to take you up on the offer if you let me.”

A dark smirk spread across his face.

“Assassin princess, my enemies all want that. None of them come close,” he says. I frown as he walks past me.

“Well,” Jero says lightly, “looks like the tour ends here.” The smile on his face irritates me. He did this on purpose. He deliberately pushed me toward Zavier. I take a slow breath.

Why the hell does he want to go on a dinner date with me? Should I poison him, then run to the Academy and call for help?

Get Kael out of this hellhole.

Jero would kill Kael the second I make a move. I groan, frustration clawing its way up my throat. I’ve already waited this long. Staying calm and observing in silence is the only way to survive this situation.