The torchlight inside the Serafino council chamber seemed chillier than the air outside. The walls, which were of black marble and depicted serpents, seemed to suck the light and warmth out of everything. I was facing a large black table, my heart pounding in my ears. Directly opposite me, Don Vittorio and Valentina shared, a brief, conspiratorial glance. Lena was to my right, quiet and with eyes wide.
Vittorio cleared his throat. "You have demonstrated yourself, Ivy Rossi. Now comes the true test."
He waved a gloved hand. Valentina nodded, and a pair of enforcers produced a silver chalice on a scarlet velvet tray. Next to it was a knife — its blade fashioned like a serpent's tooth.
I swallowed. Gio poked me from the rear, in a loud whisper that only I could hear. "Stay steady."
I took a shaky breath and flexed my fingers. The voice of the Pit rang on in my head: fight. Survive. Protect. And now, instead of fists, my weapon was my mouth.
Vittorio's loud voice shattered the peace. "We require your loyalty. In the ring, yes, and out in real life."
He rose and walked the length of the table. "Project Nocturne threatens us all. You said that your sister's notes are your key. You're gonna infiltrate our enemies, find the missing research— and get it for Serafino."
I clenched my jaw. "You want me to spy for you."
He stopped. "Yes." His eyes held mine, unblinking. "Your families' lives depend on it. Fail, and Lena dies."
Lena's fingers tightened on the edge of her chair. My chest tightened. I jerked my gaze to her. She caught my eyes — fear, yes, but trust as well. She thought I could rescue her.
Valentina stepped forward, voice cold. "You'll swear the oath in blood. It is thus, that the pendant shall make its magic hold of you to us."
She lowered the dagger into the chalice. I saw myself in the sheen of its polished wood: green eyes ringed in red, hair dark and tangled. My heart pounded.
I met Vittorio's gaze again. "So, if I agree… you can promise me that Lena is safe?"
He nodded once, curt. "On Serafino honor."
A promise with a hole in it — from a mafia lord, but it was all I had. I looked at Lena. Her lip trembled. I went to the other side of the table and knelt beside her. "I'll save you," I whispered. "I swear."
Her eyes glistened. She managed a weak nod.
I got up and stood at the head of the table. Valentina extended the chalice. Inside, dark red liquid shimmered. It smelled of rust and regret.
Vittorio pointed to the dagger. "Cut your palm. Let a drop of blood fill up the cup. Then drink."
I stared at the blade's edge. I closed my hand into a fist. My skin burned. I took the top off the goblet and set it on the table. Valentina handed me the dagger.
I held it against my wrist. The pain was breathtaking — a line of fire opening just under my skin. I chewed on my lip, my heart hiccupping. Blood welled quickly. I dropped two drops in the chalice. The crimson liquid swirled, darkening.
Valentina swiped the dagger aside, rinsed if off in a rag, and replaced it in its tray. She raised the goblet to my mouth. "Drink."
I leaned in, my breath shaking. I tasted iron. My pulse hammered. The liquid gurgled down my throat — cold, sticky. My vision wavered. I slid my fingers across my wrist, tracing the new cut.
Silence stretched. I waited for something — magic, prowess, a sign. Instead, a soft feel of heat radiated through my chest. The pendant throbbed against my sternum, taut as a heartbeat. I sucked in air.
Valentina shut her eyes as though feeling the connection. Vittorio nodded. "The oath is sealed."
My vision sharpened. The room's torches glowed brighter. I stood straighter. I could feel it: a tether that tied me to Serafino, knotting blood and magic together.
Vittorio motioned to the enforcers. "Take her to Mateo. He'll walk her through the ins and outs of embedding herself with the Rossi family and the Falcone syndicate."
I swallowed and glanced at Lena. She rose and came over to me, fingers gliding over my cheek. "Come back," she whispered. "Promise."
I closed my eyes. "I promise."
Valentina's enforcer gripped my shoulder. I turned without looking back. Her tears sparkled in the light of the torch. I suppressed the knot in my throat and proceeded to trail behind the guard through a long hallway.
The hall was dank with the smell of stone. Each footstep sounded as an alarm. Either side, doors were closed — secrets locked behind each one. I felt the heavy weight of the vow in my bones.
At the finish, a hefty door creaked open. Mateo stood in the doorway with his arms crossed. He was in his tailored suit, the black one, the immaculate one, and his silver hair shimmered in the torchlight. His expression was calm, inscrutable.
He tilted his head. "You did it."
I stepped forward. "I did."
He regarded my bloodstained hand. "Your loyalty is… welcome." He gestured inside. "Come in."
I stepped in, the room was scanty with furniture – 1 desk, 2 chairs and a huge map of the city on the wall. Neighborhoods, targets, safe houses: as indicators they pointed with pins and strings.
Mateo shut the door behind him and walked over to the map. He pointed to a place near the port. "Task number one: return the stolen Rossi archives. We think they may be with Carmine Falcone's men."
I studied the map. "Rossi archives … that's my family's land. They'll recognize me."
He didn't look at me. "That's the risk. You will go sin as Ivy Rossi, the heir to the Rossi fighting crown. They'll trust you. Then you extract the research."
My stomach twisted. "Because if they look at me like I'm family, I'm now exposed.
He finally looked, the crystalline eyes cold but the lids curious. "That's why I chose you. You're reckless, loyal, useful. And that loyalty can masquerade as betrayal, no one suspects.
His words stabbed me. But below the ice, I felt… respect. He believed I could do this. A quick light of camaraderie winked in his pale eyes.
I met his gaze. "When do I leave?"
He nodded. "Tonight at midnight. Valentina will equip you. Be ready."
I clenched my fists. "Understood."
He took a step closer, now just a breath away. I could feel his heat—never quite backing off enough to melt the cold, but hot enough to bring my skin back to life. "One thing more," he said in a low voice. "If you lose, your sister and you are mine. In life… or death."
The torchlight flickered across his face. He kept my gaze with his, sinister with promise. I swallowed.
"I won't fail," I said.
He nodded subtly, a quiet nod He nodded gently, Over He shrugged silently. He then turned and left. The door snapped shut quietly behind Joan.
I'm alone and I take a slow deep breath. The wound on my wrist burned. My chest tightened. I placed a hand over the crimson blot on my shirt. Blood, oath, magic—all linked up at last.
I think about Lena, who's standing in the council chamber waiting for me. I remembered the diary, tucked somewhere away in Falcone's vault. I thought of myself — bruised, weary, bound.
I picked up the map. My Sex Sense tingled like a target. With a finger I traced the way to the Rossi archives. Nope, I had crushed the paper in my hand.
The Serafino oath was set. My path was clear: infiltrate. Spy. Betray. Survive.
And if blood and faith held, I would protect my family at any cost—even if that meant growing fangs.