prologue

The silence of the night and darkness enveloped the Belladona mansion. Only the faint moonlight illuminated the residence. The gates of the grand estate were locked. However, the calm and quiet did not signify safety within the house.

Arianna's small fingers clutched tightly onto her mother's trembling hand. Even though she was still a child, the sound of panicked breaths, the hurried footsteps and the fear in her mother's usual calm eyes made her aware that something was happening. But she still did not fully understand what had caused it all.

In the corner, her older brother, Domenico, barely a teenager, stood before their father. His hands were clenched into fists at his sides.

"We must fight them!" he said insistently. He was filled with determination, even though it endangered his life.

"No." Their father's voice was firm. "You must run and take your sister with you. Now!"

Arianna clung to her mother, an unfamiliar metallic scent filling her nostril one she did not yet recognize as blood.

"No matter what happens, stay with Domenico." Her mother's voice was both gentle and resolute.

A loud bang and the sound of the door being forcefully opened shattered the silence. Masked figures stormed in, weapons raised. Domenico immediately dashed toward Arianna, grabbing her hand. Their father aimed his gun at the masked intruders surrounding him. Their mother stood up, placing herself protectively in front of Arianna and Domenico. Then, chaos erupted.

"Run!" Domenico gripped Arianna's wrist tightly, pulling her through the secret passage of their home.

Gunshots rang out, and their mother's pained cry echoed before fading away. Domenico glanced back as he saw their father turn and kick a man's hand, sending a pistol flying to the side.

Another shot fired. From the doorway, someone stepped forward and pulled the trigger, aiming directly at their father's head. Their father collapsed to the floor, a crimson pool spreading beneath him.

The figure stood over him. His face remained hidden by the darkness cloaking the mansion. But his voice was clear.

"You brought this destruction upon yourself."

A voice Domenico swore to remember. A voice he vowed to track down one day.

Then, everything went dark.

Years later, that night would remain etched in her mind, replaying over and over. The last night she ever saw the two people she loved most. She would not remember the voice she heard that night, nor the shadow that delivered the fatal blow. But the past would not forget her either.

And soon, it would come to claim what was left.