Julian watched her finish the tea, the tension in his eyes easing into a deep, genuine warmth. "Get some rest."
Serena nodded obediently. "I will."
Her docile demeanor only softened Julian's gaze further.
He reached out, gently ruffling her hair as if she were a priceless treasure. "Don't worry, Serena. Just get a good night's sleep. No matter what happens, I've got your back."
Serena's thick lashes fluttered slightly.
She looked up with a curved smile. "Okay."
After Julian left.
Serena closed the door, turned, and set the teacup on the table.
She tapped her fingertip lightly against the rim of the cup, a helpless smile touching
her eyes.
Oh, Julian. Even when he was drugging someone, he was so gentle about it.
She obviously knew there was something wrong with the tea.
But having grown up in the Gray Zone and survived a place like the Ghost Alliance...
She had long since developed an immunity to almost everything.
Julian's little sedative wouldn't work on her.
Still, the protective intention behind it...
It warmed her heart.
Not long after, another knock sounded at the door.
"Serena, it's Jerrick," his voice rang out from the hallway.
Serena let him in.
Jerrick was holding a black protective case.
His expression was stern, his words as scarce as ever. "Tactical gear."
Serena looked at him.
Jerrick opened the case.
Inside lay a sleek, black combat suit made of specialized material with sharp tailoring. "This is the Drake-Spec Tactical Weave. It's bulletproof, slash-proof, fire- resistant, and shock-absorbent. Much safer than regular clothes."
"Project Zero-Transit and Whitecliffe Harbor are dangerous. Don't be stubborn."
Serena reached out and took it.
Her fingertips brushed lightly against the cuffs of the tactical suit.
The material was indeed extraordinary.
However... Serena's sharp senses picked up the faintest, almost imperceptible scent woven into the fabric.
A transdermal sedative.
As long as she wore it against her skin, the drug would slowly seep into her system.
A normal person wouldn't last long before falling into a deep slumber.
Jerrick's methods were as direct as always.
Serena let out a soft chuckle. "Alright. Thanks, Jerrick."
at her, his stern
Jerrick just a fraction
features
sure you try it on. Let me
if doesn't
anythin
.no
Serena nodded. "I will."
Watching her act so unusually obedient, the lingering unease in Jerrick's chest actually deepened.
But remembering the potent drug laced into the tactical weave, he pushed those doubts aside.
By midnight, she would be out cold.
She wouldn't be able to board the ship.
And therefore, she wouldn't be in any danger.
He ultimately held back whatever else he wanted to say, simply reaching out to give her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Nobody is going to hurt you on my watch Serena."
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Serena looked up at Jerrick, her eyes curving in a soft smile.
Once Jerrick left...
Serena stared at the tactical weave.
She didn't move for a long time.
Then, she let out a quiet sigh.
One after another.
They were all so good at coaxing her.
And so good at deceiving her.
Setting the suit down, a third knock echoed through the room.
Serena already knew who it was.
She pulled the door open.
Jasper stood outside, grinning widely, his arms full of assorted candies and snacks. "Serena!"
He shoved the massive pile into her
arms lik
he was offering up a
treasures I brought you the I
boredom-busting stash for Inet
the trip.
"That dump, Whitecliffe Harbor, definitely won't have anything good to eat."
"I handpicked all of this. Sweet, sour, minty... oh, and these Sedative Core
Gummies. They're incredible."
Serena looked down at the mountain of sugar in her arms.
Jasper had already torn a wrapper open and popped a gummy into his own mouth.
"These filled ones are the best. Try one."
With that, he unwrapped another and held it right up to Serena's lips.