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“I know,” Kira said. “Midnight at the latest, I think.”

“Yikes! That’s a bit hairy,” Sera said. “Sometimes mum and dad aren’t even in bed by then, let alone asleep.”

“Sheesh! Parents!” Ophelia pulled a face. “Will you illusions cover this situation, Kira?”

Kira frowned thoughtfully. “Possibly. Unless one of them tries to wake you anyway. I can’t make my illusions respond unless I’m here and I’ll be with you. But I’m not sure that Sera should come–”

“I’m coming with you. Don’t you dare suggest I don’t!” Sera interrupted. “There’s no way I’m staying behind.”

“But it’s dangerous, and you can’t defend yourself,” Kira said. “The past two times you were already there but why put yourself in harm’s way.”

“So you’re saying that I’ll just get in the way?” Sera interrupted again with a deepening scowl. “I’ll keep out of the way but I’m not staying here.”

“Sera, keep it down. Aunt Sophie will hear!” Ophelia said.

“I’m coming with you.” Sera folded her arms but did moderate her voice somewhat.

“Please, Sera, we need you to run interference for us,” Kira said. “But what can you do there?”

“Come on, Sera,” Ophelia said. “You know she’s right.” Sera just glared at her. “You know I could just leave you behind whether you like it or not, don’t you?”

Sera made a snorting sound. “You could but you won’t. You want me along too… moral support and all that.”

Ophelia sighed again. “That’s true I guess, but I want you safe more. You’re my best friend. I’d be sick if anything happened to you and I could of prevented it.”

“Yeah and if I stay here I’ll be worrying myself sick about you!” Sera replied fervently. “You aren’t leaving me here. Anyway if what the key showed us is right nowhere is safe. I’d rather be at ground zero if something goes wrong than sitting here waiting for the world to end.”

“That… That is actually a fair point,” Ophelia said. “But that doesn’t change the fact that we still need someone to run interference here. Come on, this is not the time to be stubborn.”

The two girls stared at each other for a few moments longer before Sera laughed bitterly.

“Okay, okay… I’ll stay.” She shook her head. “And you call me stubborn?” She started rifling through her dressing table drawers. “Promise me you’ll check in and reassure me that your training went okay before you go to fight.”

“Of course,” Ophelia said. “What are you looking for?”

“This.” Sera tossed her a can of insect repellent. “If you’re going to the tropics you’d better use that or the bugs will eat you alive even if the monster doesn’t.”

“Very funny.” Ophelia pocketed the aerosol. “But it is a good point, thanks.” She looked over Kira. “And it raises another question. If were going to the tropics, even if they are on some alien world do I need to worry about getting Malaria or other horrible diseases?”

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