Secret Bloodline

Unimaginable Powers

One month later...

After a month of meeting with Esper and the mayor, everybody helps Zayn prepare to give a big speech to the newly resettled survivors of New York.

Zayn paces the length of the dressing room, running lines of the speech to himself while the four other friends get comfy.

"Oh my God, that's good-smelling pizza. And is that fancy sparkling water?" Dinah says.

"Dinah, you've drunk thousand-dollar wine at Vlad's castle, and you're excited by pizza?" Camila laughs.

"I'm a woman of simple taste," Dinah says.

"Yeah, well, remind me again why Zayn is the one doing this and not the mayor?" Shawn speaks.

"They agreed it'll go over smoother if the survivors are addressed by another survivor especially a high profile one," Lauren answers.

The green-eyed girl gestures to Zayn, who pauses and glances at his notecards.

"Esper's idea. Now that the city is being reopened they need a big public figure to soothe any lingering fear," Lauren says.

"Yeah well, if I was one of those civilians and my city was destroyed by some kind of insanity virus, I don't think Zayn could convince me to come back," Shawn says.

"Are you claiming that you're immune to Zayn's charms, Shawn?" Dinah teases.

"I'd wager these civilians are more resilient than you think, Shawn. Besides, you know New Yorkers will never abandon their city," Lauren says.

"Hell yeah we wouldn't," Dinah says.

Zayn is still pacing and rehearsing his speech as Camila gets up to join him.

"Hang on. Are you, Zayn Malik, nervous?" Camila teases the boy.

"I wouldn't call it nervous. I just have to sell this. I have to convince the people of New York that the threat is gone," Zayn finally speaks.

Camila notices that the last button of his shirt isn't buttoned up and the corners of his eyes are pinched.

Camila sighs and buttons up the last button of his shirt and smooths down his suit jacket. "You got this. I mean, come on. You're Zayn Malik. Think of everything you've been through. One little press conference is nothing compared to taking down the Order of Dawn," Camila says.

"Mhmm. I guess you have a point," Zayn nods.

"Besides, I know you'll be able to convince everyone it's safe to come back. People trust you. I know you won't let us down," Camila says.

"Thank you, Camila. I appreciate it," Zayn smiles.

"Make sure to smile. Show off that dimple," Dinah says.

"Don't do that annoying thing you do. You know the one. The annoying one," Shawn says.

"Also be sure to look into the camera. Eye contact does wonders," Lauren says.

"I'll take all of that into account," Zayn nods.

"Is Katerina coming?" Camila asks.

"I imagine she'll be in the audience with the others," Lauren says.

"Yeah, she definitely wouldn't miss this. I think she's coming with the mayor," Dinah says.

"Still feels weird to me. Us being out like this, meeting with the mayor, holding fancy press conferences," Shawn says.

"Long way from the Shadow Den," Dinah says.

"Maybe way too far," Shawn says.

Soon enough, the door swings open, and a stage manager with headphones pops in to tell Zayn he's up.