CHAPTER 007The room pulsed with quiet efficiency; men and women in tailored suits, each with a reason to be there and clearly on purpose, circulated in and out of Nero’s expansive office. Near the window, Lucia stared at the streets below them. Her thoughts, like the city itself, never slumbered. She never made a decision or a move that didn't bring her closer to her revenge.“Lost in thought, Lucia?” Nero's voice broke through her reverie. Seated behind his desk, his sharp gray eyes studied her like a puzzle he hadn't yet solved.She forced a faint smile and turned. “Always. It keeps me focused.”Nero smiled and waved her in closer. ‘You’ve done good; you’ve earned trust and respect perhaps faster than I had thought.’ What’s on your mind today?”Her fingers brushed the hem of her jacket, and she hesitated. This was her chance. She couldn’t falter now. Her voice was steady but firm, but she began, ‘I’m going to need a favor.’Nero arched a brow. “A favor? That’s a bold request. Go on
CHAPTER 008Sophia paced back and forth in the dim room, her heels creating an unhappy snick on the polished floor. Her fingers clenched and unclenched at her sides, and every now and then she glanced toward the door as if she could allow Lucia to appear. It was hard having so much jealousy burning inside of her. It was all becoming too much.Lucia was everywhere. She had wormed her way into the Roselli family, into Matteo’s life, and now she was beginning to worm her way past all of Sophia’s defenses. The closeness between Lucia and Matteo wasn't just what bothered her. No, it was more profound than that; it gnawed at her whenever she saw them together. Lucia was too perfect, too calm, too composed. She hated Sophia being jealous; it made her feel small, smaller, and insignificant.She had to do something. She was going to have to stop Lucia before it was too late.The plan was simple. Expose her as a fraud. She will expose herself as merely exploiting Matteo to ascend the family hie
CHAPTER 009Lucia thought very sharply and focused as she moved quietly through the shadows of the mansion. The Roselli family never failed to brag themselves up; they had built their power on lies and manipulation. But that was about to change. She calculated every move, every step to bring them down. She had spent months learning their weaknesses, learning their lives. But now that her plan came together, she nearly tasted victory.Outside it was still, silent, the air heavy from the tension that held the world in a constant void. Her mind was racing in the hallway, and she paused for a moment. Mr. Her next target was Roselli, the leading figure in this cancer case. He had harmed someone while she was protecting him, and he had crossed a boundary he would never regret.The pulse of power in her chest she could feel. This was all the pain... the betrayals... the broken pieces of her past leading her to. This was her opportunity to make them all pay.The plan was simple: It would targ
CHAPTER 010Matteo had a sleep problem.First they were flashes, broken images. They were vivid, real now. In every dream he could see her face, the woman who filled his thoughts every waking moment. Lucia.The first dream appeared suddenly, like a whisper in the night. Now, they were memories—memories of things he couldn’t remember fully. It was as if his old life were clawing, piece by piece, back to him. Every time he awoke, he’d be sweating and panting, his heart racing.In the dim light of his room, he sat staring at the ceiling, trying to put it all together."Why can't I remember?" he muttered under his breath. Frustration built inside of him; his fingers gripped the edge of the desk.He had seen her before, in these dreams. He could feel it—the betrayal, the pain, the heartbreak. He couldn’t recall the details, but it was like his heart knew her before his mind did. The more he got into the dreams, the more he started to understand.She wasn’t just some woman from his past. Sh
CHAPTER 011His eyes scanned the shadows of the alleyway. Dante leaned against the cracked brick wall. His mind was colder than the steel of the gun tucked inside his jacket, and the night air was thick with humidity. The one he didn’t want to take; he had just agreed to the job. The Vulpin mafia had made their offer, and he couldn’t help but feel he should walk away, but he couldn’t.Kidnap Nero’s “cousin.” That’s what they said.It made him uncomfortable just thinking about it. It didn’t feel right, but asking questions wasn’t his place. Not anymore. Not when the Vulpin mafia had him in their sights and had a debt on his head that he couldn't ignore.Despite this, the decision—all 80 plus kilograms—weighed on him. He had worked for Nero before. He wasn’t a fan of this cousin of his, but he had a certain respect for the man. Lucia, they called her. A mystery. The enigma is shrouded in such secrecy that Dante finds himself questioning if the risk was worthwhile.He muttered under his
CHAPTER 012In the darkness, Dante stood and looked into the house in front of him. His decision weighed on him harder than he could bear, and the world seemed to close in on him. Initially, the job seemed easy. Kidnap Lucia. For the first time, though, he'd met her face-to-face, felt the tugging of the bond between them, and everything was different.He leaned against the cold brick wall of the alley, watching the dim light of the streetlamps flicker like dying stars, and his stomach twisted into knots. He had known all along that this mission was strange. The Vulpin mafia was always messy, always full of lies and danger, but this was different. This was something he’d never been asked before.Lucia.The name echoed in his head. He couldn’t stop thinking about her. The way she looked at him with that piercing gaze, like she could see right through him, made his heart pound every time he thought about her. She wasn’t just a target. She wasn’t just on a mission. No, it was something ab
CHAPTER 013In a room lit only by the table's lamp, the map of Matteo's quarries stretched out, and Lucia was standing. Not a single line, not a single symbol on the paper was out of place: she was weaving, spinning the web to bring him down. She had spent months gathering information, quietly infiltrating his supply chain using Nero’s mafia resources. But finally the pieces were starting to fall a certain way.She ran a finger over the routes—the routes that were already being disrupted. Small shipments are disappearing. Larger deals are falling through. It was all of it, orchestrated by her, with Nero’s blessing. At least, that’s what he had told her; he had agreed to help her. She wasn’t so sure anymore. She had started to wonder if he knew how far she would go to get her revenge.It had all started as so small, so easy, so tiny... However, at the moment things were escalating, and Lucia felt there was pressure on its building. Nothing was accidental, nor was a step taken to topple
CHAPTER 014She moved in the dim alley silently, her senses up. It was cold out; a cold breeze prickled across the night air, causing the leaves scattered on the ground to rattle. She stealthily stepped from shadow to shadow, disappearing among the shadows. She had learned to be careful and has always been watching and listening, since the day she had been reborn. Kept herself safe and on track; there was nothing more important.But tonight was different. On a mission she was; she needed to stay sharp. She crouched behind an old dumpster, and her eyes scanned the street ahead. She wasn’t expecting anyone to be out here, but after the note she had received earlier, she wasn’t taking any chances. Someone knew. She had to stay ahead of the game; someone was getting too close to figuring her out.Dante was part of the Vulpin mafia, who had their hands in many things. She had seen him before, but tonight she didn’t know what to expect. She had planned to avoid him, to stay away from him mo
Chapter 210The Celestial Nexus was bathed in a gentle golden glow as the sun was just starting to rise.The air was light without fear or battle for the first time in what seemed like an eternity. It felt... motionless. The stillness was almost overwhelming.Lucia watched the throng of people gathered below from the edge of the opulent courtyard.The fae, witches, werewolves, vampires, and other supernatural groups had all arrived.Some of her old foes had also arrived. The sound of whispered conversations, some cautious, some hopeful, was audible to her.The air was warm, but her hands felt cold. Trying to get rid of the nerves that were accumulating in her chest, she balled her fingers into fists. She forced a shaky breath out and muttered under her breath, "Everyone's watching."Nero came up behind her, his steps light but firm. His voice was quiet as he said, "You're trembling."She merely smiled slightly without turning. "It's nothing.""Lucia..." There was something more i
Chapter 209The atmosphere was tense as Lucia stood at the edge of the Celestial Nexus.Life throbbed in the Nexus, a place of whirling energies and glistening lights. It was the center of their universe, the source of harmony and balance.Nero clenched his fist beside her, his gaze sweeping the horizon. They were both aware that Alessandro Stellini would not be alone when he arrived."Are we prepared for this?" Nero's query was barely audible above a murmur.Lucia inhaled deeply as she felt the burden of accountability. "We have to be," she said. "The stakes are too high."Dark clouds gathered overhead as if on cue, obscuring the landscape with menacing shadows. As Alessandro's forces approached, the ground shook beneath their feet.Nero raised his sword and muttered, "Here they come."Feeling her divine energy surge through her veins, Lucia called it forth. She gave Nero a comforting nod as she looked at him. "Remain near. Together, we battle."With vile eyes, the first wave of adve
Chapter 208Lucia stood staring at the group in front of her as the sun sank below the horizon, bathing the ancient temple in a warm glow.A group of young people waited for her to speak, their eyes wide with interest and a hint of nervousness."Welcome," Lucia said in a soft but firm voice. "Each of you has a special gift, a sight beyond the norm, which is why you are here. Our beloved seer Valeria is no longer with us, but her legacy lives on in you.Elara, a young woman, moved uneasily among the group. She had always been able to sense things that others couldn't hints of things that hadn't yet happened.She felt both honored and overwhelmed to be in front of the renowned Lucia now.Lucia saw Elara's discomfort, and her eyes softened. She looked directly at Elara while addressing the group, saying, "It's natural to feel uncertain." "Embracing your abilities is a journey that calls for trust and courage."Nero nodded in agreement as he stood next to Lucia. He revealed, "I was afraid
Chapter 207Under Nero's boots, the ground continued to hum. It was lighter, but not quiet, as if something had shattered and was still falling apart.The battlefield was silent around him, Lucia's final blow extinguished the last remnants of Kalyndria's sinister magic, which flickered like dying embers.His gaze strayed to Lucia as he dabbed at the perspiration on his forehead. She stood a few feet away, her chest rising and falling quickly, her face pale. Something darker than blood stained her hands, which trembled at her sides."Are you okay?" With a low voice that was sharp enough to cut through the silence, Nero asked.Lucia gave him a nod without turning to face him. "I'm all right," she whispered. However, the rigidity in her shoulders conveyed a different message."Are you certain about that?"She clenched her jaw. "We need to do more work."With a sigh, Nero closed the distance between them, walking over broken ground and splintered stones. "Yes, there is always."Faint murm
Chapter 206Above the Celestial Nexus, clouds swirled like enraged smoke in a deep red sky.The ground crackled under Lucia Roselli's feet as she stood in the center of the mayhem.The raw, untamed power that was now pulsing through her veins caused her hands to shake, not out of fear.She sensed Dante's presence.She still remembered his last breath, His voice reverberated within her, simultaneously gentle and piercing, Every burst of vitality reminded her of what he sacrificed for her to stand here.Just before everything burst into light, he had whispered, "Lucia, don't waste it."Eldrin's shadow loomed across the battlefield, his dark eyes now fixed on her. Kalyndria grinned next to him, her golden hair wild and tangled. They both exuded confidence, as if they had already won.Wiping her mouth, Lucia tasted blood. Her knees wanted to give out, but she was propelled forward by something inside of her that wasn't totally her own.From behind, Nero yelled, "Lucia, resist their allure
Chapter 205A hidden glade surrounded by ethereal light awaited those who sought its wisdom in the center of the ancient forest, where tall trees whispered secrets of long ago.Valeria's spirit lingered in this hallowed location, unaffected by time, constrained by fate and prophecy.Exhausted from their journey, Lucia and Nero shoved through the dense foliage to enter the clearing.The smell of blooming wildflowers and moss filled the cool air, A weathered but sturdy stone altar with a gentle, welcoming glow stood in the middle."Do you think this is it?" With a hint of wonder in her voice, Lucia whispered.Nero nodded as he looked around. "It fits the description. Valeria's spirit must reside here.Lucia inhaled deeply and walked toward the altar, her fingers grazing its cool surface. "Valeria," she called softly, "we need your advice."Only the rustling leaves responded for a brief moment, Then a glowing figure appeared above the altar, rising from the ground like mist. Valeria's se
Chapter 204Clouds rolled heavy like bruises, and the sky over Lunaria bled dark purple. Something unsaid something approaching made the air snap cold and sharp.Sophia Roselli stood at the edge of the destroyed citadel, her cloak flapping at her legs. The city stretched below her, waiting, broken, and silent.In the distance, she traced the ragged outline of the temple of the Heart of Lunaria. That was her intention. The secret was that. Beneath her skin, she could practically hear its pulse.Sophia's eyes narrowed as she muttered under her breath, "They have no idea what's going to hit them."Beside her, Kalyndria's voice crackled, as sharp and smooth as glass. "Everything is in place. Eldrin's shadows are prepared to move.Sophia ignored her. "How about Lucia?""She won't anticipate this."Sophia's mouth tightened. Something flickered behind her eyes, but she pushed it away. Now there's no place for second thoughts. This is especially true in light of the recent events.She thought
Chapter 203With tension in the air, Lucia stood in the center of the Celestial Nexus. Nero's eyes searched their surroundings next to her, all his muscles tensed.With its usual calm glow transformed into a frenzied dance of lights, the Nexus throbbed with vitality."Do you feel that?" Nero's voice could barely be heard over a whisper.With a nod, Lucia's hand automatically closed around the Heart of Lunaria that hung around her neck.She answered calmly but with a hint of fear in her voice, "Eldrin's coming."A low hum filled the air, getting louder by the second, and the ground beneath them shook. Eldrin appeared, his presence overwhelming them as a blinding light burst before them.His eyes blazed with a cosmic rage, and his power seemed to distort the air around him."Eldrin," Lucia said, trying to sound firm, "this insanity has to stop. Our world's equilibrium depends on it.A sarcastic smile curved Eldrin's lips. He sneered, "Balance?" " While holding onto the very artifact tha
Chapter 202With her gaze focused on the Heart of Lunaria, Kalyndria stood at the edge of the Celestial Nexus, Above the altar, the pulsing gem cast a gentle, ethereal glow that filled the room with silver light.She had been searching for this source of ultimate power for centuries. She would rule the supernatural realm with the Heart.With its moonstone carvings and glistening crystal veins, the room seemed to hum with anticipation.Every step Kalyndria took caused the air to tremble, upsetting the delicate equilibrium in the room with her eerie aura, Shadows writhed at her feet, clinging to her like obedient subjects.The air glistened as she moved forward, and two figures appeared in front of her: Nero and Lucia. Their postures were defensive; their faces were determined.Despite the tension erupting around them, Lucia said, "You're too late, Kalyndria," in a steady voice. "You can't take the heart."A smirk formed on Kalyndria's lips. "Are you sure you can stop me? "After all thi