The late afternoon sun spilled golden light across the courtyard of St. Claire's University, tinting the stone pathways in shades of amber. Students moved about in clusters—laughing, gossiping, and rushing to complete assignments before the weekend. Among them, Elena Romano walked with quiet confidence, her dark curls tumbling freely past her shoulders, the straps of her worn leather satchel creaking under the weight of books.
Elena wasn't like most students here. While others worried about parties and dates, her mind often lingered on responsibilities. Her father had passed away years ago, leaving her and her younger sister, Lucia, in the care of their hardworking mother. Elena had learned to be strong, protective, and determined, always shielding Lucia from the harsher realities of the world.
"Lena, slow down!" Lucia's voice rang out, breathless as she tried to keep up. Lucia, with her soft brown eyes and lively smile, was the complete opposite of Elena—gentle, naïve, and forever curious.
Elena turned, softening at the sight of her sister's flushed cheeks. "You'll never keep up with me if you keep staring at every flower on campus."
Lucia laughed. "Maybe if you didn't walk like you were running away from something…"
Elena rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched in amusement. Moments like this—banter and laughter with Lucia—were her sanctuary.
They were halfway to the parking lot when a sleek black car pulled into the driveway of the university. It wasn't just any car—it was a glossy, custom-designed vehicle, the type that screamed wealth and power. Students slowed, murmurs rippling through the air. No one from their campus drove such cars.
The driver, dressed in a crisp black suit, stepped out and scanned the crowd with an intimidating sharpness. His gaze landed directly on Elena.
Lucia tugged Elena's sleeve. "They're looking at you," she whispered nervously.
Elena stiffened. "That's ridiculous. We don't know anyone who—"
Her words cut short as the driver approached them. Without hesitation, he bowed slightly and extended a small black envelope sealed with crimson wax. The seal bore a crest Elena didn't recognize—two crossed swords beneath a crowned serpent.
"Miss Elena Romano?" the driver asked, his voice low and precise.
Elena hesitated before nodding.
"This is for you."
She accepted the envelope cautiously, feeling the weight of curious eyes from nearby students. Before she could ask a single question, the man returned to the car, slid behind the wheel, and drove away as swiftly as he'd arrived.
Lucia's grip tightened around Elena's arm. "That was… creepy. Are you going to open it?"
Elena turned the envelope in her hands, her stomach tightening. The paper was expensive, the kind reserved for royalty or the impossibly rich. Finally, with Lucia urging her on, she broke the seal.
Inside was a single sheet of thick paper, written in elegant script:
> Miss Romano,
You are cordially invited to a private dinner tomorrow evening at the Grand Palazzo. Attendance is not optional. A car will arrive at 7 p.m. to escort you.
—A.D.
Elena's heart skipped. A.D.? Who was that? And what did they mean by "not optional"?
Lucia gasped dramatically. "Elena, this is insane. Who even sends letters like this anymore? And what do they mean not optional? That sounds like a threat."
Elena folded the letter quickly and stuffed it back into the envelope. "It's probably a mistake. Someone's playing games."
But even as she said it, unease twisted in her gut.
That night, Elena found herself unable to focus on her studies. She sat at her small desk by the window, the envelope placed in front of her like a silent predator. She reread the note a dozen times, searching for hidden meaning. Why me? Why now?
Her phone buzzed with messages from friends, but she ignored them. Across the room, Lucia was sprawled on her bed, scrolling through her phone. "Maybe it's a scholarship dinner or something fancy like that," Lucia offered. "You're always top of the class. Maybe some big donor noticed you."
Elena smiled faintly at her sister's optimism. "And maybe pigs will fly tomorrow."
But beneath her sarcasm, doubt gnawed at her. There was something dangerous about the precision of that letter—the type of danger she'd only read about in novels, not something she wanted tangled in her life.
Still, when the clock struck midnight, Elena realized something she hated to admit: she was curious. Curious enough that she couldn't stop imagining what—or who—awaited her at the Grand Palazzo.
---
The next evening came faster than she expected.
At exactly seven, the same sleek black car appeared outside their small apartment. Elena stood by the window, frozen, while Lucia hovered anxiously by her side.
"You're really going?" Lucia asked, biting her lip.
Elena adjusted the strap of her dress and gave a half-smile. "I don't exactly have a choice. Remember the letter?"
Lucia frowned. "Then at least promise me one thing—call me if anything feels wrong."
Elena pulled her sister into a hug, whispering, "I'll be fine. Don't worry."
As she stepped outside, the night air heavy with anticipation, she slid into the back seat of the waiting car. The driver didn't speak, only nodded respectfully before pulling away from the curb.
The city lights blurred past the window, but Elena barely noticed. Her mind spun with questions. Who was A.D.? Why had they chosen her? And what awaited her at this mysterious dinner?
When the car finally pulled up before the Grand Palazzo—a towering mansion of marble and gold—Elena's breath caught in her throat. The building radiated power, wealth, and something darker lurking beneath its beauty.
As the driver opened her door, Elena's heart pounded in her chest. She stepped out slowly, the sound of her heels echoing against the polished stone. At the massive entrance, two guards in dark suits stood with their hands folded, watching her like hawks.
One of them pulled open the gilded door and gestured her inside.
Elena took a deep breath and crossed the threshold.
The moment she stepped into the grand hall, she felt it—an invisible weight pressing down on her shoulders, as though the very walls whispered secrets of blood and power.
And then she felt it… a gaze. Piercing, steady, unseen yet unmistakable. Someone was watching her.
Her heart skipped as her eyes scanned the room, but the figure remained hidden in the shadows beyond the staircase.
Still, she knew one thing with absolute certainty:
This was no mistake. She had stepped into someone's world—someone dangerous.