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AN EXCRUCIATINGLY QUIET bus ride led the trio to some kind of hideout where Fury and his crew occupied. Dimitri led the way to a back door that brought them down a narrow staircase to a more polished station compared to the dried, pungent canal in Venice.
Black and white checkered tiles reflected orange light from the gilt mantle in the wall, flanked by bronze statue embellishments. The warmth brought a comforting heat to the backs of Thea's arms and legs. Computers stretched from corner to corner, dutifully manned by his crew. Quentin Beck loomed over a holographic map table across the room. His eyes were glued to a rough layout of Prague taken from a bird's-eye view.
Thea's muscles were clenched, her limbs still stiff from the long bus ride they didn't get to recuperate from. Her eyes drifted to each person and they sparkled at the sight of a familiar redhead leaning over a computer with Maria Hill. Her back was turned to the maegi but the second she turned around, a smile overthrew the austere frown on her face.
"Couldn't stay away, could you?" Thea greeted Serafina. She gave her a tight hug, her fatigue wavering. Her fingers gripped onto the swirls of silver that decorated the flowy navy pantsuit, the Celtigar colors. The deep blue brought out her eyes.
It was usually what she wore for official council meetings, blending Sovrani themes with the American fashion she had lived in for seventeen years. Two thin silver chains draped from shoulder to shoulder and were clasped by gnarled viper pins. Her three-headed dragon brooch was pinned on the right lapel. Her long waves of red hair glowed like embers next to the crackling fire.
Daaryo gave Thea a respectful head nod. He also wore a suit in a blue so dark, it almost looked black. Tendrils of black Sovrani glyphs decorated the lapels and he wore a crimson tie, a nod to the Valaryen colors. His dragonbone Bloodsword hung at his hip in a thin leather scabbard. His shiny black curls were pulled back away from his face.
"The house is too quiet," Sera confessed, releasing the girl. There was a certain sadness that lurked in the depths of her eyes. Thea was confused for a second until she realized why, a sudden iciness filling her heart.
Today was June 30th. Which means tomorrow... Thea couldn't believe it slipped her mind. She had been so wrapped up in the utter chaos unfolding around her, that she forgot about the day her life ended before it began.
Serafina shared a glance with Daaryo who stood rigidly behind the pair and directed her attention back to Thea. "Look, we didn't want to tell you until we met at a safe location but..."
Thea's forehead creased. "What?"
"The Dragonfang carrying our garrison was ambushed over Vienna," Serafina explained, the truth unrestrained. She donned the demeanor of War Master. Beside her, Maria's gaze was pinned to the ground, her face free of any discerning emotion.
