Page 115 of Fearless

His brow furrowed with concentration, her dad leaned forward and said, “Okay, missy, hear me well. He was not only with you, He’s the one who kept you from going too far. Sean was right to remind you of your training, not only through the family, but especially through Option Zero. You can kill within seconds, yet you didn’t. He was with you the entire time, protecting you, guiding you. Keeping you from going too far.”

“You’re right. I just never imagined that I would ever feel that way.”

“You’re a human being, sweetheart. We fall short every single day. But He never fails us.”

“Thank you, Pops. That helps a lot.” She swallowed past the lump in her throat and added, “I so wish you and Mom had had the chance to know Smith.”

“I do, too, sweetheart. But let me ask you something. I know one of your first messages to your team was about Esther. Have you ever considered that Smith was placed there as well?”

“What do you mean?”

“Just that it could have been anyone else placed in that house who might not have stepped up to protect you. Smith was there for a reason. Saving your life might have been that reason.”

Tears filled her eyes at that thought. She had been practically patting herself on the back, saying she was the Esther of this story, but her dad was right. Smith had been there, at that place, at that time. And he had saved her life.

“Thank you for that, too. I never thought to put him in that context, but you’re absolutely right. I hope I get to thank him someday.”

“You will, my dear. On that, I can promise.”

They grew silent again, and then her father said, “Are you going back to OZ after your vow renewals?”

“Yeah, of course. The work we do is too important, and despite the last couple of months, I love my job.”

“Have you thought about what’s going to happen when you’re confronted with danger again?”

“What do you mean?”

“You went through a traumatic experience, Serena. That’s not something you can get over just by telling yourself you’re fine.”

She tilted her head, realization coming in an instant. “You don’t think I should go back.”

“You’re a brilliant woman with numerous skills. There are thousands of ways to fight evil but stay out of danger.” His voice went shaky as he continued, “When you were taken, we were terrified we’d never see you again.”

Seeing her father so emotional made her want to cry, too. He was always so stoic, so matter of fact.

Reaching over, she covered his hand with hers. “I’m sorry I put everyone through that, Pops. I know it was tough on the family. But⁠—”

Turning his hand over, he held hers tight and said, “But you have to do what you need to do, sweetheart. I know that. Your family knows that.”

Peace settled within her. Without realizing it, she had been worried how her family would feel when she returned to full duty at OZ. Their support meant everything, and she hated putting them through more stress. The question of whether she was strong enough to return to OZ and face the danger had never been an issue. But her family’s worry for her had weighed heavily.

“Thank you, Pops. That means everything.”

He gave a nod of acknowledgment and then said, “So, what are we going to do about Kingsley?”

The we part didn’t surprise her. He knew Kingsley would be coming here at some point, and the whole family would have to face the threat.

“We’re going to try to nab him without bloodshed. He’s got intel we need.”

“And if we can’t take him that way?”

“Either way, we’re going to stop him.”

“And then you’ll tell Sean what you’ve found?”

“Yeah,” she said softly. “Then I’ll tell him what I’ve found.”

Chapter Forty-Seven