Rain pounded the marble courtyard as the black SUVs pulled into the Serafino Estate. My grip tightened on Lena's hand. Her tears mixed with the downpour. Behind us, two Serafino enforcers flanked each door. I inhaled fast, smelling wet stone and something metallic in the air.
The driver cut the engine. The silence felt heavy—like the world was waiting. One of the enforcers yanked my arm. "Out," he barked.
I dropped Lena's hand and followed the line of guards, boots clicking on marble. Walls soared overhead, carved with the Serafino crest. Lightning cracked above the towers. I counted our steps: fifty… sixty… until the doors swung open.
Inside, velvet drapes swallowed half the light. Oil lamps cast a sickly glow. A red carpet led to a massive staircase. The hush pressed in on me. Lena stood behind me, shivering.
A low chuckle rolled through the hall. From the top of the stairs, Don Vittorio Serafino descended. He moved slow, measured—like a panther stalking prey. His silver hair framed a cold face, every line carved by decades of power.
"Welcome," Vittorio said, voice smooth as silk. He stopped a few feet away. "Ivy Rossi."
I squared my shoulders. "You have my sister. Let her go."
He lifted an eyebrow. "Let her go? My dear, you stole from me." He flicked his wrist. Two more guards stepped forward and shoved Lena and me onto velvet chairs.
Lena cried out. I clenched my fists. Hurt, fear, fury—all collided in my chest. Vittorio circled us, eyes like steel. He stopped behind my chair. "Your sister's curiosity led her to Project Nocturne. But you… you crossed a line."
I sat up straight. "I didn't steal your notebook. I saved her life."
He turned to face me. His smile was thin. "You think kidnapping her is punishment? No. It's leverage." He paused, tapping the arm of my chair. "You have a choice, Ivy. Serve me, or watch your sister die slow."
My breath caught. Lena whimpered. I swallowed hard. "Serve you how?"
Vittorio's gaze drifted past me, out a high window. Lightning flashed. He didn't break eye contact. "You'll fight for me. Undercover in the Pit. And you'll recover what was lost." He sank into my sister's chair. "Do that, and Lena walks free. Fail… and you both pay."
I forced my voice steady. "And if I agree?"
He smiled, leaning forward. "Good girl." He reached into his coat and pulled out a silver pendant, the Serafino crest engraved. He tossed it onto my lap. "Wear that tonight in the Pit. It grants you entry to my private circle. Fail in your task, and it becomes a noose."
My fingers closed around the cold metal. A threat disguised as a gift. I looked at Lena. Thin trails of blood ran from her temple—one of the guards must have hit her on the way in. My stomach turned.
"Keep your sister alive," Vittorio said softly. "Then, we'll discuss rewards."
He stood. I followed his movement and rose too, my chair scraping the marble. He waved the guards. They grabbed us, but I wrenched free, stumbling forward.
"Wait!" I shouted. "Where's Mateo in all of this?"
Vittorio paused on the stairs. His smile disappeared. "Mateo's… occupied." He turned fully. "Remember, Ivy: I decide who lives in this family. And who doesn't."
Guard hands closed around my arms again. Lena sobbed. I leaned toward her. "I'll fix this," I muttered. She nodded, eyes glazed.
They marched us down a hallway lined with portraits—black and white images of Serafino ancestors. Each face wore the same expression: pride mixed with ruthlessness. The guards shoved us into a small room. A single lamp dangled from the ceiling. A table stood in the center with two chairs.
One guard punched me in the back of the knee, knocking me into a seat. Another slammed the diary on the table. Its leather cover bore fresh scratches.
I glared at the guard. "Hands off her work."
He laughed and left. The door clicked shut. Lena pressed her back against the wall, cradling her head. I rubbed my sister's shoulder. "Stay with me, okay?"
She nodded. Her blue eyes were dull with fear.
I pulled the pendant from my pocket. The metal bit into my palm. I needed time to think. To figure a way out. To protect Lena. The weight of the locket on my chest felt as heavy as the Serafino threat.
Footsteps echoed in the hall. The door swung open. A tall woman in a black suit entered—sharp features, colder eyes. She closed the door behind her and crossed to the table.
"I'm Valentina," she said. She nodded to both of us before focusing on me. "You'll fight for us tomorrow. The Pit reopens at midnight. You start then."
"Fight who?" I asked, voice steady.
She slid a folder across the table. "The dossier of targets." I flipped it open. Photos: fighters I'd never heard of, with notes—strengths, weaknesses, ratings.
"You'll climb to the top. Find the man who holds the next diary. You return that, you get Lena."
I scanned the folder, heart pounding. "And after that?"
She leaned in. "After that… you'll find the source of Project Nocturne. We'll need your help unlocking it."
I closed the folder. "You'll have it."
She stood and turned to go. "See that you do. My employer doesn't like broken promises."
The door clicked behind her. Lena and I sat in silence. I stared at the pendant, then at her bruised cheek.
I reached out and pressed it into her hand. "Wear this," I said. "It's my promise: I'll bring you home."
She closed her fingers around the metal. A single tear slid down her cheek.
I stood and brushed dust off my jacket. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, we fight."
Lena tried to stand but faltered. I caught her. "Lean on me. We'll get through this."
Her head bobbed against my shoulder. I felt the panic rise again—no backup, no plan, just two sisters bound by blood and a deadly pact.
I squared my shoulders and walked to the door.
Before I left, I looked back. Lena watched me, hope flickering in her eyes.
I forced a grin. "I'll be back soon."
The door closed. The hallway lights flickered. I stepped out, pendant heavy at my throat.
They'd broken in, taken our freedom—but they hadn't broken me. Not yet.
And tomorrow night, I'd show them exactly what the Neon Queen can do.