Seraphina woke with a start, her heart racing and her breath coming in short, sharp gasps. The early morning light filtered through the curtains of her bedroom, casting a soft glow on the luxurious furnishings. She sat up, clutching the silk sheets, her mind reeling from the vivid images that had haunted her sleep.
She had dreamt of Michael, his cold eyes and ruthless demeanor, the glow of his hand as he absorbed Emily's powers. But was it truly a dream? The events of the previous night felt too real, too immediate. She touched her face, half expecting to feel the heat from Emily's flames.
As she struggled to calm her racing thoughts, a soft knock came at the door. Thomas, her loyal butler, entered with a tray of breakfast.
"Good morning, Miss Seraphina," he said, placing the tray on her bedside table. "I hope you slept well."
Seraphina forced a smile, though her hands trembled. "Thank you, Thomas. I… I had a strange night."
Thomas nodded, his expression concerned. "Would you like to talk about it?"
She shook her head, feeling the weight of secrecy pressing down on her. "No, it's nothing. Just a bad dream."
As Thomas left the room, Seraphina tried to make sense of the confusion in her mind. Had she really encountered an angel? Was Michael truly on a divine mission, or was he simply a delusional man with dangerous intentions? And what about the call she made to the police?
She grabbed her phone and checked her call log. The call to the police was there, a stark reminder that last night had not been a figment of her imagination. Her pulse quickened at the thought of Michael finding out. Would he come after her for trying to expose him?
Determined to get some answers, she decided to visit the police station later. But first, she needed to gather her thoughts and steady herself.
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Seraphina spent the morning in a daze, her mind replaying the events of the previous night over and over. She could barely focus on her usual routine. Even her morning jog through the city park, which usually helped clear her mind, did little to ease her turmoil.
As she jogged, she kept an eye out for any sign of Michael. Every shadow, every figure in the distance made her jump. She felt paranoid, constantly looking over her shoulder. She couldn't shake the feeling that he was watching her, waiting for the right moment to confront her.
Returning home, she showered and changed, then made her way to the police station. The air inside was thick with the usual buzz of activity, officers moving about with purpose. She approached the front desk, her nerves on edge.
"Excuse me," she said, her voice steadier than she felt. "I called last night about a man named Michael. I need to know if anything has been done."
The officer behind the desk glanced up from his computer. "What's your name, miss?"
"Seraphina Blackwood."
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He typed her name into the system, then looked back at her. "Your report was logged, but there's no immediate action noted. We get a lot of calls about suspicious individuals, and we prioritize based on threat levels."
Seraphina felt a pang of frustration. "This man is dangerous. He believes he has a divine mission to eliminate people with special abilities."
The officer nodded, his expression turning more serious. "We'll look into it, Miss Blackwood. If you have any more information or if you see him again, let us know immediately."
She thanked him and left the station, her mind still whirling with doubts and fears. As she walked through the city streets, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being followed. Every passerby seemed a potential threat, every shadow a hiding place for Michael.
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Back at the mansion, Seraphina found herself pacing her room, trying to make sense of the chaos in her mind. She needed to understand what was happening, to find some clarity amidst the confusion.
Her phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. A message from an unknown number: "We need to talk. Tonight. The park. 8 PM. - M."
Her heart skipped a beat. It had to be Michael. How had he gotten her number? She felt a chill run down her spine. Ignoring the message wasn’t an option; she needed to confront him, to understand his motives and find a way to protect herself.
As the day wore on, she tried to prepare herself for the meeting. She rehearsed what she would say, how she would demand answers. But as the hours ticked by, her resolve wavered. Fear gnawed at her, and she found herself questioning whether she should go at all.
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As evening approached, Seraphina made her way to the park, her steps hesitant. The air was cool, and the setting sun cast long shadows across the ground. She scanned the area, looking for any sign of Michael.
She found him standing beneath a large oak tree, his figure partially hidden by the fading light. His presence sent a shiver down her spine, but she forced herself to approach him.
"You wanted to talk," she said, keeping her voice steady and cold despite the fear gnawing at her insides.
Michael's eyes met hers, cold and unyielding. "You called the police."
Seraphina's heart pounded, but she kept her expression defiant. "I had to. You're dangerous."
Michael's expression remained impassive. "I understand your fear. But the mission is real, and the danger posed by the glitches is real. You must trust me."
"Trust you?" she scoffed, crossing her arms and glaring at him. "You’re a killer."
"I do what is necessary to maintain balance," he said, his voice devoid of emotion. "You will see the truth in time."
Seraphina shook her head, frustration and anger boiling over. "I don't want to be a part of this. I didn't ask for any of it."
Michael stepped closer, his gaze intense. "You cannot escape your destiny, Seraphina. Whether you believe it or not, you were chosen for this role. You must accept it."
She took a step back, her eyes flashing with defiance. "I don’t want this destiny. I want my life back."
Michael's expression softened slightly, a hint of empathy in his eyes. "I know this is difficult. But we must work together. Only then can we restore the balance and protect this world."
Seraphina felt a lump in her throat, but she refused to show any weakness. "I don’t know if I can do this."
"You can," Michael said, his voice firm. "You are stronger than you think."
As the last light of day faded, Seraphina stood there, torn between anger and the pull of a destiny she couldn't fully comprehend. She knew that her life would never be the same, but she also knew she couldn't turn away from the path that had been laid before her.
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That night, as Michael disappeared into the shadows, Seraphina returned home and locked herself in her room. The façade of strength and defiance she had maintained all day crumbled, and she sank to the floor, her body trembling. Tears streamed down her face as she hugged her knees to her chest, the fear and uncertainty overwhelming her.
"I don't know what to do," she whispered to the empty room. "I don't know if I can trust him. But I don't have a choice, do I?"
Her tears continued to fall as she grappled with the reality of her situation. She felt trapped, caught between a terrifying truth and the unknown dangers that lay ahead.
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End of Chapter 3