She belonged somewhere safe.
The dangerous work was for her brothers to handle.
Once they infiltrated the island as Joker, Fenris, and The Grinning Wraith, they would preemptively clear all the threats from her path.
Even if she did end up visiting Project Zero-Transit later, it wouldn't be nearly as dangerous.
A table full of people, each harboring their own chaotic schemes.
Yet, on the surface, they all looked perfectly composed.
Except for Jasper, of course.
He just sat there holding his pastry, completely ignoring his food, staring intently at Serena.
He stole a glance.
Then another.
And another.
Finally, Serena lifted her eyes and looked at him coolly. "Are your eyes having muscle spasms?"
Jasper was utterly speechless.
He nearly choked on his food.
"Is that any way to talk to me?" Jasper said, feigning heartbreak. "This is me showing brotherly concern."
Serena gave him a sideways glance. "Just eat. The way you're acting, people might think you've got a guilty conscience."
Jasper instantly jumped. "Guilty? Who's guilty? I am the majestic Dark Web's number one... cough... Why would I ever feel guilty?!"
The harder he reacted.
The guiltier he looked.
Amidst the hidden turbulence at the dining table, the only person completely unaffected was Hazel.
She was entirely focused on her food, inhaling spoonfuls of oatmeal, demolishing pastries, and reaching for the sausage links.
Her cheeks were stuffed like a chipmunk's.
She had been heavily fed by Julian just last night, so she technically shouldn't have been this hungry.
But the Lancaster family's breakfast was just too good.
She couldn't control herself.
As she finished her last sandwich, Julian smoothly placed a savory breakfast tart onto her plate. "Eat this while it's hot."
Hazel's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Julian!"
Julian smiled and poured her a fresh glass of juice.
Jasper watched the exchange and clicked his tongue. "Julian, isn't your customer service a little too attentive? How come I don't see you serving pastries and pouring drinks for your actual blood brother?"
It was the leader of the Ghost Alliance, Demon, her beloved Serena!
If Serena found out she had accidentally leaked 'The Panacea' alias while stuffing her face with panna cotta last night...
Hazel was entirely convinced she would be publicly executed on the Ghost Alliance intranet by nightfall.
Hazel was winking so hard her eyes were practically cramping.
But across the table, Serena paused her spoon.
She looked up, her cold gaze landing lightly on Hazel.
A shiver ran down Hazel's spine.
She immediately ducked her head and shoved the crisp cucumbers Julian had given her straight into her mouth.
She was invisible.
She couldn't see anything.
As long as she didn't look up, Demon couldn't tell she was guilty.
But she was biting down on those cucumbers with terrifying force.
Crunch, crunch, crunch.
It sounded less like she was chewing vegetables and more like she was trying to bite Julian's head off.

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