It had been a little over a month and a half since Serenah had started the internship at Lancaster's Law Firm. She enjoyed the time she spent with Romeo at his dad's firm. She loved seeing the different sides of her fated one. She'd loved puzzles since childhood, and people were the greatest puzzles of all. Having a chance to learn more about a person was a fun experience.
She returned her focus to typing in the data from the forms next to her. Romeo sat next to her, engrossed in his data entry tasks. Occasionally, his leg would brush against hers, sending little shivers of awareness through her. These last two weeks after Thanksgiving were filled with lots of petting and affection from Romeo. She wasn't sure why an increase, but she wasn't averse to it. His attention made her feel wanted and cherished.
"So," drawled Romeo, his voice interrupting her concentration.
"Yes?" She glanced his way and paused, unsure of the reason for his frown.
"Are you ready for the Winter Ball?"
She grinned. "Yes! I can't wait to go with you."
"Your father's not going to cause trouble for you like he did with my Thanksgiving dinner invite, is he?"
She dropped her head, embarrassed by her father's high-handed ways. She hadn't known that Romeo and his father had invited her to their house for Thanksgiving dinner. Her father didn't tell her, and she was still upset she'd missed a chance to get out of the house for a little while and spend time in Romeo's home. She was sure her father withheld the information because Romeo and his father refused to allow Amanah to come along.
"I don't think so because it is a school event and not a personal invitation."
He took her hand in his and gently squeezed. "Good. I'd be pissed if he tried to mess with our dance date."
She blushed at the heated look in his eyes. She fanned herself with her free hand. "Wow, it's hot in here."
Romeo laughed as she looked away, flustered. His flirting always left her floundering. She didn't want to misstep. She liked him very much and wanted his happiness, not his hatred.
"Speaking of the dance, you're going to love it. I went last year with my friends and had a good time."
"Did Liz and Penelope go with you last year?"
"Yeah, both did, as did the guys. They've all been friends longer than I've been friends with them. So they tend to do a lot together, and I just tag along."
"I see. Liz and Penelope do seem well-versed in handling social events. Now I see why." Serenah was reassured by this bit of news. That meant things would go well and not badly. She was worried because of what happened at Homecoming. She didn't want to experience that again.
"Everything will be fine this time, Sera. I promise."
Serenah gazed into Romeo's eyes and saw only truth and a promise. She loved this about him. His dependability and loyalty. Whenever he made a promise, he delivered. He never tried to do more than he could handle. This security was something she craved.
"I trust you," she said quietly, entangling her fingers with his. She enjoyed the warmth of that contact, letting it soothe her. "I wonder if it will snow by then."
Romeo chuckled. "Once it starts snowing, you'll get tired of it quickly. It's cold, wet, and a pain to dig your car out of."
"Really, I grew up in a warmer place, so we didn't get snow."
"There are some fun things you can do in the snow, but I personally can do without it," replied Romeo.
She frowned. "I was hoping to build a snowman. It looked like fun," she told him, her expression sad.
He turned to face her and held up his left hand, extending his pinkie. "How about we do a pinky promise that we'll make a snowman together?"
Pinky promise? She'd never heard of that before. Was that some kind of Earth spell? Was it a binding spell? Should she even do it? She started panicking. Lord Huylight hadn't covered this in her classes!
"Sera, you're overthinking it. Here," Romeo let go of their entwined hands and brought her right hand toward his, "like this." He hooked their pinky fingers together. "I promise to build a snowman with you."
For a second, she felt the swirl of magic, but it disappeared too quickly for her to be certain it was real and not imagined. His expectant expression made her giggle.
She squeezed her pinky against his. "I promise to build a snowman. I know I'll have fun."
His roguish grin made her heart race. This boy had "killer charm," and she was very influenced by it. Maybe this human had magic in his blood.
"So," drawled Romeo, "not to change the subject, but do you like jewelry?"
The unexpected question surprised Serenah, her hand instinctively rising to touch the pendant from Sacer that she wore. "Um, yes, sometimes. I don't like a lot of it, but I don't mind wearing pieces that are special to me or that are gifts."
She figured that answer was safe enough. She was half afraid he would ask her about the pendant she was currently wearing. Sacer did say that it appeared as a necklace to everyone except herself, Alastar, and Sacer. She decided to test that truth.
"I like jewelry like this," she admitted, pulling the pendant up a little so he could see it.
"It's a pretty necklace, and it looks good on you."
His compliment caused an immediate blush to heat her cheeks. This boy…she loved him so much. Not that she had said the words to him yet. She was mostly certain of her feelings, but she still worried that the fated mark was influencing her feelings. She would only say it once she was one hundred percent sure of the validity of her emotions and heart. His next words brought her out of her introspection.
"Good to know."
She tilted her head to the side, staring at his mysterious smile. He was plotting something. It would be fun, she was sure. There was no maliciousness to his smile. So no worries that he would act like her family and blindside her with some emotional or verbal trap.
A discreet cough distracted Serenah. She gasped, flustered by the fact that she'd forgotten that they were not alone in the room. Down at the far end of the table sat Penelope. Her chin rested atop her hands as she stared at the two of them.
"You two are so sweet," she cooed.
Serenah covered her face in her hands, majorly embarrassed at her lapse in judgment.
"Sera, has anyone ever told you that when you blush, your cheeks are stained a beautiful pink color?"
"No," she whispered as her cheeks heated even more at Penelope's observation. "How much did you hear?"
Penelope smirked. "Truth or lie?"
"Truth," Serenah replied without hesitation.
"Most of it, even the part when you talked about me and Liz."
A strangled groan escaped Serenah's lips. "Kill me now," she muttered. "I'm so sorry! I swear I wasn't trying to be rude."
Penelope frowned, then burst into laughter. "Sera, calm down. I'm not mad. You are too adorable when you feel awkward."
"Really? Are you sure?"
"Yes!" Penelope slapped the table for emphasis. "Now, stop fretting. It's all good. I do want to know where you got that necklace, though. It's so pretty."
"A friend gifted it to me. I don't have much jewelry, so I wear this proudly."
"Ask them where they got it. I would love to have one myself."
"Sure, I can do that," agreed Serenah.
The room fell silent as the three of them returned to their tasks.
Halfway through their shift, the silence was broken by a loud knock. They glanced up, and Serenah froze. Amanah stood outside the conference room's glass door. She opened the door.
"Hey, little sis, I need to talk to you in the hallway for a second."
"Umm, can it wait?" Serenah nervously asked. Her twin had that look in her eye that meant nothing good for Serenah.
"No, it can't wait. So come along like a good girl and let's talk."
Amanah was smiling, but it was a calculated one. This is going to be bad, Serenah thought. I can't disobey her. I'll see what she wants. She stood and paused at Romeo's touch on her arm.
"Amy, your sister is busy working, just like you should be. I don't believe it's time for breaks yet."
Amanah sneered at Romeo and, with a haughty flip of her hair, announced, "It's a family matter. I'm sure that my father would love to know that you are keeping me from talking with my sibling."
Serenah flinched at her twin's unspoken threat. She needed to keep things from escalating. She stepped away from Romeo's side. "I'll be right back," she told him apologetically, following the gloating Amanah out of the department room and into the hallway.
Once they were in the hallway and away from the gaze of the other employees, Amanah slammed Serenah against the wall. Serenah gasped, shocked by her sister's behavior. Amanah's glare made her tense.
"What?" she stammered, unsure of what had angered Amanah.
Amanah fingered the pendant around Serenah's neck. "I see Romeo gave you a gift. It's mine. You don't deserve it. Give it to me. Now!"
Serenah shook her head. "No, Amy. I can't give this to you. It's mine, and it was gifted to me. I'm not going to give it to you."
The heat of Amanah's glare and bloodlust scorched Serenah's senses. She couldn't help it; she whimpered.
"Give it up, sister, or I'm calling Father."
Serenah gulped, fear clogging her throat. She didn't want their father involved, but her instincts told her that giving up the necklace to her twin would be disastrous. She had to stand her ground.
"No, I won't. It's mine, not yours," Serenah stubbornly stated. "I'll happily get you a necklace similar to this one since you like it so much."
Amanah tugged on the chain, trying to tear it off. Serenah smacked her hand away and hissed, "Stop it, Amy!"
Amanah's ferocious snarl startled Serenah. She wasn't quick enough to avoid her sibling's quickness. Amanah grabbed Serenah's left arm, harshly pinched her, and then jerked Serenah toward her. Amanah stuck her face close to Serenah and hissed in Serenah's ear, "You are so dead once I tell Father about this."
She abruptly released Serenah when the door to the department room opened. She glared once more, her expression promising retribution before storming off down the hallway.
Serenah tried to stop the tears of pain from falling. Her arm was throbbing from Amanah's violent pinch.
"Sera, is everything alright?"
Romeo's kind voice was too much. She needed a moment to calm down.
"Bathroom," she mumbled before running away, ignoring his concerned shout.