CH.111

Serena sat lost in thought. Her gaze fixed unseeing on the tinted windows.

The events at the graveyard played on repeat in her mind. It had all happened so fast, yet the repercussions would be felt for years to come.

The oppressive silence stretched on, broken only by the soft purr of the engine until Killian decided it was time to lighten the mood.

"Sister-in-law…” He cleared his throat.

"You know what always cheers up a beautiful lady after a day of world-shaking revelations and narrow escapes? A little retail therapy! We should hit up that swanky new mall, the Star City's Promenade. I'm talking about a no-holds-barred, spare-no-expense shopping extravaganza. My treat, of course." he said, flashing Serena his most charming grin.

Serena rolled her eyes, though a hint of amusement tugged at her lips. "I don't know. After everything that's happened, frivolous shopping seems... inappropriate."

"Inappropriate? Nonsense!" Killian waved his hand dismissively. "When has a beautiful woman like yourself ever turned down the chance to max out a few black cards on designer shoes and diamond-encrusted whatnots? Come on, we'll make a whole day of it - shopping, massages, mani-pedis, the works! You deserve some pampering after such an uneventful experience."

Seven shook his head slightly at Killian’s antics. He'd known Killian for centuries, working side by side under Knox's command, and was well accustomed to the other man's persistent, silver-tongued ways.

As reserved as Seven typically was, he had to admit Killian's ability to talk anyone into just about anything was a valuable asset - especially when it came to cheering up stubborn women like Serena.

"Perhaps a brief distraction would be beneficial, Donna," Seven offered, his deep voice calm and measured. "A chance to decompress and gather our thoughts before returning to your father. The coming days will likely be... intense."

Serena's expression softened at the mention of her father.

Dimitri had been tasked with staying home with him, briefing him on all the dramatic developments while they waited for the right strategic moment for him to reemerge publicly.

Serena wavered, feeling her resolve weaken under the weight of Killian's expectant gaze and Seven's logical reasoning.

She was still struggling to fully comprehend that these men weren't human but rather ancient beings.

The mere thought of being intimate with someone who could be considered an ancestor made her feel nauseous. Yet, these unsettling thoughts only seemed to surface when she allowed herself to think rationally.

More often than not, her rationality would cower and be swiftly replaced by an overwhelming desire - a primal need to have Knox ravage her whenever he was near.

The memory of that burning want alone made her core ache with unfulfilled longing.

‘Damn it!’ Serena inwardly cursed, forcing her mind to refocus on the matter at hand.

As much as she hated to admit it, the idea of a few hours of mindless indulgence was tempting after the emotional rollercoaster of the past few days.

"Alright," she relented with a sigh. "I suppose a little retail therapy couldn't hurt. It might be nice to pretend to be normal for a few hours."

"Yes!" Killian pumped his fist triumphantly, looking for all the world like he'd just won the lottery. "Trust me, you won't regret this. To the Star City’s Promenade, and step on it!" He barked at the driver.

The car smoothly changed course, weaving through the city streets towards the massive luxury mall complex stood.

Star City’s Promenade was a sprawling, multi-level marvel of modern architecture. Anyone who visited this place would be impressed by its sheer scale.

The extravagant line of flashy convoys soon pulled up to the grand entrance of the mall.

Killian was out of the car almost before it stopped moving, practically bouncing with excitement. Seven followed at a more measured pace, offering his hand to help Serena from the vehicle.

Both men paused to ensure their masks were securely in place. While Killian's face was relatively unknown to the public, Seven's features were recognizable in certain circles due to his position as VP of Gaard Corp.

No sooner had their feet touched the polished marble of the entrance than a veritable army of impeccably dressed staff materialized around them.

At their head was the mall's manager, who looked on the verge of either fainting or exploding with excitement - it was hard to tell which.

Sweat beaded on his brow as he bowed so low Serena feared he might topple over.

"S-Second Master! T-Third Master!" he stammered. "And the esteemed Madam! What an unexpected honor! Had we but known such distinguished guests would be gracing us with their presence today, we would have cleared the entire facility for your private use!"

Serena raised a hand to prevent any further groveling. "That won't be necessary. We're happy to share the space with your other patrons."

The manager looked aghast at the very idea. "But Madam, surely you'd prefer-"

"What the lady wants, the lady gets," Killian interrupted smoothly, clapping the man on the shoulder. "Now, how about you show us to your finest spa? I'm thinking we start this excursion off right with some serious pampering."

The manager looked flustered but eager to please. He snapped his fingers.

Immediately, several staff members stepped forward to escort them inside. Serena felt as though she had entered a whole different planet when the massive glass doors closed behind them.

The interior of the Promenade was a monument to extravagance and excess. Soaring ceilings of glass and steel stretched overhead, flooding the space with natural light. Polished marble floors gleamed underfoot, interspersed with lush carpets in deep, rich hues. Fountains and greenery dotted the walkways, lending a sense of serenity to the bustling atmosphere.

High-end boutiques lined the promenades, their windows showcasing the latest in fashion and luxury goods.

The air was perfumed with a subtle, expensive scent, and soft classical music drifted from hidden speakers.

Here and there, Serena caught glimpses of Star City's elite browsing the shops, their designer clothes and imperious attitudes marking them as clearly as any sign.

"Now, this is more like it!" Killian exclaimed, rubbing his hands together gleefully. "Shall we start with mani-pedis and massages? I don't know about you two, but I could use some serious muscle work after all that tension."

Seven arched an eyebrow at the latter’s enthusiasm but said nothing.

Despite her initial reluctance, Serena found herself warming to the idea. The stress and strain of the past few days weighed heavily on her, and the thought of a few hours of indulgent self-care was undeniably appealing.

"Alright," she said with a small smile. "Lead the way. However, don't think this means you're off the hook for all the craziness lately."

Killian clutched his chest in mock offense. "Me? I'm hurt, truly hurt. When have I ever led you astray?"

"Do you want that list alphabetically or chronologically?" Seven deadpanned, earning a chuckle from Serena and an exaggerated pout from Killian.

Serena, Seven, and Killian were escorted, each led towards separate changing rooms to prepare for their treatments.

Seven's sharp eyes caught sight of the young male attendant assigned to guide Serena. He halted mid-step, causing the others to pause and look at him questioningly.

"You," Seven intoned. "You will keep your distance from the lady. Only female staff members are to attend to her needs. Any man who values his continued existence would be exceedingly wise to heed my words. Am I making myself perfectly clear?"

The attendant's face drained of color so rapidly it was as if someone had flipped a switch. His eyes, wide with sudden fear, darted between Seven and Serena as he stumbled backward, nearly tripping over his own feet in his haste to put distance between himself and Serena.

"Y-yes, sir," he stammered. "Of course, sir. Right away, sir."

Serena watched the exchange with exasperation and arched an eyebrow at Seven. "Was that really necessary?" she asked, her tone caught between amusement and annoyance.

Seven met her gaze evenly, his expression impassive. "Your husband is an exceedingly possessive man. He considers you his sole property, and any male who dares to encroach upon what he perceives as his territory will face severe consequences. I highly advise you do not test the bounds of his overbearing nature, Donna. It would not end well for anyone involved." he stated matter-of-factly.

Serena scoffed in resignation. She knew Seven spoke the truth, even if she didn't particularly like the idea of being tagged as a ‘property’.

Without further argument, she silently followed a visibly shaken female attendant into her designated changing room.

The room was a study in understated luxury, with plush carpeting underfoot and warm, golden light casting a soft glow over everything.

Serena began to undress. Her movements were mechanical as her mind whirled with thoughts of Knox and their complicated relationship.

As she slipped on the provided robe - a sumptuous affair of thick, soft terry cloth - she wondered if things would ever truly be simple between them.

Her musings were abruptly interrupted by a shrill, grating voice that cut through the spa's tranquil atmosphere.

Serena froze, her hands stilling on the robe's belt.