Chapter 2

The charity gala was a sea of glittering gowns and sharp tuxedos.

Julian Thorne was in his element, a king holding court. Brynn Holloway, stunning in emerald green, clung to his arm.

Seraphina Hayes was a shadow in a simple dark dress, near the edge of the room.

Julian had "invited" her. An instruction, not an invitation.

He made a show of checking his wrist. "Damn it."

His voice carried. Heads turned.

"My watch. My grandfather's watch. It's gone." He looked distressed. Brynn made soothing noises.

He looked directly at Seraphina. "Sera. You were near me all evening. Did you see anything?"

"No, Julian."

"Well, look for it. It' s priceless." His tone was sharp. "Everyone, please, keep an eye out, but Sera, you search. Properly."

Brynn smirked, a tiny, vicious movement of her lips.

Seraphina nodded.

She began to search. On her hands and knees. Under tables draped with white linen.

Guests whispered. Some pulled out their phones, recording.

"Is that the girl from the ice bucket video?"

"Julian has her well trained."

She sifted through discarded canapés on a serving tray, her fingers brushing against cold shrimp.

The thread. It was straining. This was good. This public degradation, under the eyes of New York' s elite, it was potent.

Julian watched her, a muscle twitching in his jaw. He seemed almost... frustrated by her lack of visible distress.

She found nothing. Of course.

After an hour, as dessert was served, Julian patted his jacket pocket.

"Ah! What's this?" He pulled out the vintage gold watch. "Silly me. It was here all along."

A collective sigh, some polite laughter.

He smiled broadly at Brynn. "Thank you for keeping me calm, darling. I was in such a panic."

Brynn preened. "Anything for you, Julian."

Seraphina stood up, brushing dust from her dress. Her face was calm.

Julian caught her eye. "Well, Sera. False alarm. You can relax." His eyes held a challenge.

She simply met his gaze. "I'm glad you found it, Julian."

He looked away first.

A few days later, Brynn had a public meltdown. Or rather, a carefully orchestrated one.

Paparazzi photos showed her looking pale and distraught, Julian rushing her into a car.

The story: the stress of her career, the constant public scrutiny, it was all too much.

A "wellness guru" in their circle, a woman with expensive crystals and a hushed voice, made a suggestion.

"Brynn needs absolute peace. Positive energy. But more than that, someone must undertake a cleansing ritual for her. By proxy."

Julian called Seraphina.

"Brynn is fragile," he said, his voice tight with concern. "This guru, Dr. Anya, suggests a silent meditative trek. Through the Serpent' s Spine trail in Blackwood National Park. It' s notoriously difficult."

Seraphina knew the trail by reputation. Remote. Challenging.

"Dr. Anya says the one who walks it must carry symbolic stones. Representing Brynn's burdens. And periodically, they must broadcast short, positive affirmations about Brynn and me. Via a live-streaming app."

He paused. "I need you to do this, Sera. For Brynn's sake."

Seraphina felt a jolt. Not of dismay, but of... recognition. This was a significant offering.

"The stones," she asked. "How many? How heavy?"

"Seven stones. One for each of her major anxieties. About a pound each, I think. And the live streams, every two hours, from dawn till dusk. The trek is three days."

Three days of grueling hiking, silence, carrying burdens that were not hers, and publicly praising the woman Julian adored, the woman who despised her.

The thread. It would surely unravel under such strain.

"I'll do it, Julian," she said, her voice even.

"You will?" He sounded surprised. "Good. Good. I' ll have Marcus arrange the transport and the gear. Don't mess this up, Sera. Brynn' s well-being depends on it."

Marcus Cole, Julian' s cynical right-hand man. He' d be efficient, if disdainful.

Seraphina packed a small bag. The cheapest, most durable hiking boots she could find.

This trek. This "cleansing by proxy."

She focused on the thread. It was practically vibrating with anticipation.