Opening Scene
Salvatore Conti stood beneath the flickering neon sign of Bella Fiore, his tailored coat dripping with rain. The vial of black liquid glinted in his hand, reflecting the chaos in Mia's eyes. Behind him, men in black masks leveled rifles at her and Luca.
Hello, Mia. Salvatore's voice was silk over steel. "You've inherited your mother's talent for destruction. How… predictable.
Luca shoved Mia behind him, his blade raised. Touch her, and I'll carve out your heart.
Charming as ever, Luca. Salvatore smirked. Still, playing knight to doomed witches? How did that work out for your mother?
Luca lunged, but Salvatore flicked his wrist. The vial's liquid hissed, morphing into smoke that coiled around Luca's throat, choking him.
Stop! Mia's magic flared, her palms blazing crimson. The smoke dissipated, but Salvatore's grin widened.
Ah, there she is. The real Elena Moretti.
The Truth in the Rain
Salvatore tossed Mia a photo: her mother, young and terrified, kneeling before Alessandro's father in the same vault where the crystal had been kept. A contract lay at her feet, signed in blood.
Your mother sold her soul to the Russos, Salvatore said. In exchange for your life.
Mia's knees buckled. Lies.
Is it? He stepped closer. She bound her magic to their curse to keep you safe. But now that you've awoken it… He gestured to Marco's corpse, veins blackened and bulging. "The curse hunger. And Alessandro isn't the only one dying."
Luca gripped her arm. Don't listen to him, Mia. He's a liar.
Am I? Salvatore snapped his fingers. A hooded figure stepped forward, pulling down their hood.
Mia's breath froze.
Hello, daughter, her mother said.
The Ghost in the Flesh
Elena Moretti's face was a patchwork of scars, her eyes hollow. The locket around Mia's neck vibrated, the photo inside screaming.
You're dead, Mia whispered.
Worse. Elena's voice crackled like static. I'm bound. Just like you will be.
Salvatore circled them. The Russos lied, Mia. The curse wasn't cast on them, it was a bargain with them. Your mother gave her magic to save you, but the ritual backfired. Now her soul fuels their empire… and yours will too.
Luca's blade pressed to Salvatore's throat. Let them go.
Or what? Salvatore laughed. You'll kill me? Your father begged the same before I slit his
Luca's knife drew blood. "Finish that sentence. I dare you."
The Bargain
Elena grabbed Mia's hand, her touch icy. "Break the cycle. Kill Alessandro before the curse claims you both."
How?
The vault, Elena whispered. "The original contract is there. Burn it, and the Russos burn with it."
Salvatore yanked Elena back. "Enough. Mia join me, and I'll free your mother. Refuse, and Luca dies here."
His men aimed at Luca's heart.
"Don't," Luca growled.
But Mia's magic roared, the ground splitting beneath Salvatore's feet. "You want my power?" she hissed. "Come and take it."
The Escape
Chaos erupted. Elena shoved Mia toward a waiting car, her spectral form flickering. Go! The vault—now!"
Luca dragged Mia into the driver's seat, bullets peppering the windshield. They sped into the storm, Salvatore's roar fading behind them.
Do you trust her? Luca demanded.
"No." Mia gripped the wheel, her mother's face burning in her mind. "But I trust this." She opened her palm to a shard of the cursed crystal, stolen from Salvatore's coat. It pulsed like a rotten heart.
Back at the Russo estate, Alessandro knelt in the vault, his skin cracking like dried earth. The contract, his family's bargain with Mia's mother glowed before him.
Mia, he rasped, slamming his fist into the floor. "You can't outrun this."
Above him, the portrait of his ancestors shifted, revealing a hidden blade. A voice slithered from the shadows. Elena's voice.
"Finish it, Alessandro. Or she'll destroy us all."