[Lilia]

My nerves were on edge, and my stomach was starting to get queasy again. I pushed the sensation down, refusing to ruin the hours of meticulous work the team had put into my transformation. The only thing missing—the only thing that would feel right—was the diamond Kael gave me. I left it back in Russia, stashed in a safe place I hoped no one would find. How I wished this night brought me joy instead of this high-wire act of anxiety.

A knock startled me, and the door opened to reveal ...