Two days ago, she had met with Papa Zambrano and Emperor Iberia. Two days hence, she would meet with Mother Priestess Tomi and her “masters,” whoever they were.
But Serena knew what that was about: the assassination attempt and this peculiar resemblance she had with Princess Mariko. She hadn't realized until she'd stepped aboard the lift on the outpost Tarifa that she'd taken the portrait of the Princess with her.
Of the three meetings, this one held the greatest mystery for Serena. She was baffled by the “great truth” that Emperor Fire had learned that had caused him unremitting remorse. She simply could not discern what information he might have for her that was of so great an import.
She trusted Xochitl, who had been as much a mentor to her as the Mother Priestess, Xochitl's expertis
