CHAPTER 018Dante and Lucia found a small, quiet place to catch their breath; Lucia could still feel the adrenaline pumping through her veins. The alley they had ducked into was a vast contrast to the chaos of the ambush. Her body ached, and the bruises and cuts from the fight were still fresh, but relief that she had survived was short-lived. Too much were the words of Nero spoken earlier, the constant tension between her and Dante, and the memory of the forces of Matteo closing in.His face grim, Dante sat on the ground, back against the wall. Neither Lucia nor he spoke right away. The silence, the both searched, stretched ever longer than either me wanted.Lucia broke it, her voice steady even in her head. 'Dante, we need to figure this stuff out.' The prophecy, the Blood Moon—it’s all connected. We’ve done everything we’ve done, taken every step we’ve taken, to get here. We can’t keep running blind.”Dante turned his eyes towards her, and they weren’t their usual hardness; they we
CHAPTER 019The moon was rising. It was in her bones—the pull of the blood moon, the push of the sky itself—preparing for the final act. She was on edge, every nerve in her body. She had seen it before. She had felt the other cold hand of betrayal clamp down on her heart yet again. This time, she was determined it wouldn’t happen. Not again. She wouldn’t let it.Even now, however, with the moon staring like a silver eye in the sky, she knew a thing was coming. The end of the cycle. The final confrontation. And there was a gnawing feeling in her gut that things were going to change.Standing inside the dimly lit room of the mansion, her brain was in a mass of fury and heartbreak. She had heard the prophecy from Nero. All of it. The curse of the Blood Moon. Her destiny. All that had been set in motion long before her first death, long before the life she now lived. It was no less real, but hearing it from him had made it so. No less terrifying.She clutched the cold edge of the windowsi
CHAPTER 020His decisions weighed heavily on him, threatening to overwhelm him. He stood in front of Matteo. He was consumed by a multitude of thoughts, including the overwhelming sense of duty and the profound transformation of his mind since meeting Lucia. She was strong, but she was resilient, and the truth of it all kept gnawing at him. The prophecy, the Blood Moon, through the bloodline that had been cursed many generations before they were ever born. This wasn’t supposed to end like this. This shouldn’t have happened.Matteo smirked as he leaned in his chair, staring at Dante. He had always known how to make people do what he wanted, how to make them believe what he said. Brought up within the folds of power, deceit, and betrayal was his father’s legacy. Dante was caught now in the middle of it all."Matteo said low, almost comforting, 'Dante'."You've always been loyal to me. You’ve always known what was expected. Why are you hesitating now, then?”The anger bubbled up inside of
CHAPTER 021A mass of crimson showcasing the Blood Moon flooded the battlefield with chaos. Ash thickened the air, mixed with screams, steel against steel clanging across the land. In it's heart, Lucia stood; her breath was ragged as wave upon wave of power passed through her body. Her blood had been hybrid, and it was untamed and awakened; it blazed like a flame, pushing to consume her entire body. Her vision was darkening at the edges, but she struggled to maintain control of her hands, which were trembling.“Lucia, focus!” The noise of the tavern tried to drown him out, but Nero’s voice was sharp, and the order cut through the din. His tone was desperate, and he was somewhere behind her. Her focus was slipping, and her body shuddered as it eroded under the weight of her own power.Matteo was advancing. His eyes locked onto her intently, and his blade caught the moonlight; it gleamed. He strode confidently, as if he had already secured victory. The earth itself seemed to shudder ben
CHAPTER 022There was no noise but the fading rustle of leaves in the breeze, unnervingly quiet woods. The air was incredible, sharp against his skin; Dante crouched low behind a towering oak tree. He stared directly at the figure in front of him; it moved with the agile speed of a predator. She wasn’t like the others he’d tailed before—no hesitation, no clumsy missteps. She moved deliberately, precisely like she was testing him to keep up.Lucia.And that unnerved him most: she didn’t look like a typical target. When Leo from the Vulpin mafia approached him, the deal seemed straightforward: They kidnapped Nero’s cousin, delivered her to their bosses, and got a life-changing sum of money. Days passed, and he observed her from the shadows and why she was just about ransom and leverage; he knew it wasn't. He hated how little he knew, and the mafia wanted her for something else, something more significant.The soft buzz broke the silence of his earpiece. Dante’s day was interrupted by Le
CHAPTER 023Dante watched Lucia cross the courtyard of Nero’s estate with his back pressed to the rough brick wall. She moved precisely, each step deliberate, and her sharp eye kept moving across, almost as if she still expected trouble. She was always prepared and vigilant. Dante caught himself staring at her and admired the way she was so calm, focused, and touched in a place that didn't have light, let alone a breeze.Dante scowled and could almost hear Leo; it was the same in his head from their last conversation: “You’re stalling, Dante." “This isn’t complicated. Find the weakness, follow her, and deliver her. It’s business.”It wasn’t business anymore. He’d seen something different in Lucia the moment he noticed her again. The Vulpin mafia had described her as a fragile girl, but she wasn’t. Now in her she possessed strength formed by a source of pain and resilience, and it made Dante hesitate in a way that he hadn’t in ages.There was no sound in the alley around him; the shado
CHAPTER 024She walked quickly and lightly down the silent halls of Nero’s house. It was silent, but she couldn’t get the feeling of eyes on her. She knew better than to ignore her instincts; it wasn’t paranoia. The rustling leaves outside were barely audible, as was the faint sound beyond the window. She scanned over the courtyard below, looking for something moving. Nothing. The unease gnawed at her yet.Someone was following her. She was certain.Clenched her fists, trying not to go nuts. Panic wouldn’t help. She had been through worse and had come out stronger. It would be no different this time. They weren’t making it easy, whoever it was. She’d seen shadows where there shouldn’t have been, heard whispers in empty hallways. This feeling of being watched had grown impossible to ignore, and now.She locked the door and leaned against it, letting out a slow breath, back in her room. She had to work out who it was and why they were after her. She also had to be careful, though. If sh
CHAPTER 025 The folder on the table was frayed at the edges from being opened and closed a hundred times, and Dante stared at it. Across the top was scrawled the name 'Lucia Roselli', but it might as well have been written in flames. The photos, the timeline, the report, everything inside it felt heavy. His pages had turned over so many times he could recite the details by heart.Nero’s cousin. High priority. Capture alive.It sounded simple. It was supposed to be simple. Lucia was not simple.Dante ran a hand through his hair, leaned back in his chair, and the dim light of the room cast long shadows across his face. His earpiece buzzed again, a static-filled reminder of the pressure on the other end. He didn’t have to put it on to know what Leo would say. "Time’s up, Dante. She’s a problem. Solve it."Solve it. Like she was a puzzle or a task on a checklist. Everything sounded clinical and detached, like the mafia. How could they understand, though? They hadn’t watched her move thro
Chapter 085As the wind howled through the mountain pass's narrow path, Dante's hands clenched around the hilt of his sword. His breath came in irregular, shallow gasps, and every step felt like a thousand burdens.Even though his past had always hovered over him like a shadow, he was resolved to put it behind him today.He would prove himself today, if not to the entire world, then at least to Lucia, who was the most important person.The stakes were high, but the mission was straightforward. In order to prevent Matteo from unleashing his evil magic, he and the team needed to recover an old artifact.Dante had offered to lead the risky portion, but Lucia took the lead.He could feel the pull of his former life, the darkness that had long defined him, the farther they ventured into enemy territory. Now, however, he was fighting for redemption.He saw a vision of Lucia's face, her eyes full of something other than determination. It might have been hope. Perhaps it was trust.He hadn't
Chapter 084Alessandro sat in the dimly lit chamber, a soft fire flickering in the hearth before him.The room was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of the papers scattered across the wooden table in front of him.The ancient walls of the mansion held an eerie still as if the very air was holding its breath, waiting for what was to come next.The task ahead weighed heavily on him, yet he had never shied away from responsibility.Tonight, he was not just Alessandro Stellini. He was a strategist, a leader, a man whose alliances would determine the fate of their world.Lucia had entrusted him with this mission to unite the forces that would stand against the chaos Matteo and Kalyndria sought to unleash. And Alessandro, despite his doubts, would not fail her.The door to the chamber creaked open, and he looked up to see Isabella step inside, her eyes sharp and focused, as always.Her presence was a comfort in this tense moment, a reminder that he was not alone in this fight."Have yo
Chapter 083Gasping for breath, Lucia stood at the base of the Italian Alps, staring up at the jagged rocks that hid the ancient temple she sought.The fresh aroma of the snow-capped mountains blended with the scent of pine trees in the crisp air.It was not only the physical weight of the Heart of Lunaria that was heavy in her hands. It was the weight of accountability and the knowledge that her decisions could either preserve or ruin everything she held dear.She had reached this point in her journey where she would confront the unknown and enter the center of power beyond her comprehension.The knowledge of Eldrin's increasing power weighed heavily on her heart, and the road ahead was dangerous. Though doubt gnawed at her insides, she had no choice but to move forward."Are you sure about this?" Nero's voice broke the silence, and he was always there by her side.Lucia looked at him, his expression a mix of resolve and worry. She could see the fear in his eyes the fear of failing,
Chapter 082Isabella's fingers hovered over the ancient book, its pages smudged but still readable from years of turning.Her heart pounded as she turned the pages of the yellowed parchment, the words drawing her further into the mystery of Eldrin, the mighty creature who had suddenly materialized.She had been having visions that were getting more precise and distinct. But they were still illogical. Similar to a puzzle that needs to be assembled, the pieces were dispersed.She was trying to make connections as her mind raced. Not only was Eldrin a strong being, but he was also something much older, with ties to the Blood Moon.Prophecies from antiquity that mentioned equilibrium and forces that could either tip the scales in favor of life or destruction had never been clear.However, this was something different. Eldrin was not a normal person. He was the final member of a lineage that had been developed since the beginning of time in order to preserve the harmony between chaos and o
Chapter 081Matteo Vulpin stood in the dimly lit room, his back straight and his fingers resting lightly on the cold wood of the table. The walls around him felt like they were closing in, the air heavy with the tension he had built over months.Usually, he played a slow, calculated game, but tonight, something felt different. Everything was about to shift, and he knew it.His next move would shock Lucia's coalition, leaving them vulnerable and exposed.The plan was set in motion a long time ago. Lucia meticulously crafted every detail, perfectly timing each betrayal and assassination.One by one, Lucia's once-strong alliances began to crumble. He couldn’t help but feel a slight satisfaction as he imagined the fear spreading through her ranks.Matteo’s gaze flickered toward the map on the table before him.He was not only interested in the supernatural world but also in the lucrative mafia world.Lucia had trusted too many people too many people who had already chosen their sides.He k
Chapter 080Sophia’s eyes flickered open, her vision blurry at first, the darkness around her swarming with fragmented images. Her mind felt like a jigsaw puzzle, the pieces scattered, waiting to be put together.She could feel the pulse of her heart, slow and heavy, as though something had been stolen from her, something vital that she could not yet recall.A voice whispered in the back of her mind, sharp and full of malice. “You’re not whole yet. Not yet.”She blinked, trying to make sense of the words, but they faded into the shadows as she pushed herself to sit up. The air smelled thick with magic, familiar yet foreign, as if the very fabric of reality had been altered.She could feel the power pulsing through her veins, her body still not entirely her own but stronger than she remembered.The ritual had worked. But it had been incomplete.Sophia’s hand pressed against her forehead, the memories flooding back in flashes images of betrayal, anger, and a thirst for revenge.She reme
Chapter 079The night in Corciano had always been peaceful. The cool breeze swept through the streets, carrying the scent of fresh flowers from the nearby gardens. It was the kind of place where the supernatural lived quietly among the humans, each of them keeping their heads down, knowing their place in the world.There was a calm here, a sort of stillness that settled in the heart. But all of that would change in an instant.A crackle of energy split the air, followed by a low rumble like thunder. The ground trembled beneath their feet, and the night sky, which had been clear and serene, darkened as if something unseen was blocking out the stars.A sudden, sharp gust of wind blew through the trees, rattling the branches and sending leaves spiraling into the air.Then, the figure appeared.Eldrin stood at the center of the town square, his presence undeniable. He was tall, his long hair flowing like dark silk around his shoulders.His eyes, glowing faintly with a light that seemed bo
Chapter 078As Nero observed the mayhem all around him, his heart raced. As Matteo's army swept through the room, the Heart of Lunaria flickered feebly on the table, its light fading.The dark magic swirled in the air, thick and suffocating, and he could feel its oppressive weight.Lucia was only a few paces away, and her eyes reflected his desperation.She had to finish the ceremony, She had to complete what she had begun.However, Matteo's troops had already arrived, and they would not give up until they had Lucia and the Heart."No!" With a roar, Nero moved ahead of her, his hands automatically grabbing hold of his divine power. "Remain back!"The soldiers paused, obviously not anticipating opposition. However, the sinister energy that pervaded the space propelled them forward, and the first blow came like a wave, strong and relentless.Nero barely flinched, even though he felt the impact of their spell. This time, though, something was different. He was accustomed to the weight of
Chapter 077With the Heart of Lunaria in her hands and glowing with a spooky, ethereal light, Lucia stood in the middle of the darkened room.entire being trembled with energy as she felt its power pulsing through her. Its emotional and physical burden was too much to bear.The moment had arrived to decide. She was aware that there would be a sacrifice involved in using the Heart. What sort of sacrifice, though? She wasn't certain that she was prepared to make that decision.She was startled out of her reverie by a gentle knock on the door. Nero was standing there when she turned around, his expression solemn, but his eyes softened as they met hers.He walked into the room and shut the door without saying anything.Nero said softly, "Lucia," in a worried voice. "I understand your thoughts. You've spent hours gazing at the heart. You must make a choice.The mention of the decision made Lucia's chest tighten. She was unwilling to make it. The cost was the last thing she wanted to consi