The sun hadn't yet risen when Lena stepped into the living room.
Meena was curled up on the couch, wearing her favorite oversized sweater, a bowl of cereal in her hands and eyes glued to a cartoon.
Lena crossed her arms and stood quietly for a moment, taking her in.
> "I'll be gone for a few days," she said suddenly.
Meena turned. "Another mission?"
Lena nodded. "Something important. Dangerous."
"Will you come back?"
Lena smirked faintly. "Always."
She crouched down and placed both hands gently on her sister's shoulders.
> "Lock the door. Don't open for anyone except me. Don't talk to the neighbors. Don't even talk to the cat."
Meena rolled her eyes. "I got it. You act like I'm five."
"You act like you're fifty," Lena said with a rare, soft smile. "That's why I trust you."
She grabbed her black leather jacket and headed toward the door. As she opened it, Meena's voice called out:
> "Lena?"
She turned.
> "Don't die."
Lena nodded once. "Not planning to."
And just like that, she was gone.
---
🖤 The Arrival
The black car pulled up to a set of gates taller than trees.
La Serpiente Nera. The Moretti mansion. A fortress dressed as a palace.
Marco waited at the entrance — black turtleneck, warm brown eyes, hands in his coat pockets.
He smiled gently when he saw Lena step out.
> "You're punctual," he said. "That's a good sign."
> "Habit," Lena replied. "I don't like wasting time."
Marco gave a light chuckle and held the gate open.
> "Come on. Everyone's waiting. You nervous?"
> "Not even slightly."
> "Didn't think so."
He walked beside her through the gates.
The mansion was massive — towering ceilings, dark marble floors, chandeliers flickering above. It was old, rich, alive.
But it didn't feel cold.
The men inside — all in black — looked serious, but not cruel. Some nodded at her as she passed. Others whispered, curious.
Lorenzo treated them like brothers.
But betray him?
They say you'd vanish before your next breath.
---
🧠 The Mind Test
She was taken to a study. One table. Two files.
Marco stayed with her.
> "One target is real. One's a trap. Make the wrong call, and someone innocent dies. Or worse — someone in the family."
Lena read fast. Calculated. Her mind sharp.
She slid the black file forward.
> "This one."
Marco gave a nod of approval.
> "Next."
---
🎭 The Loyalty Test
In a golden-lit hallway, a man named Dario stepped up beside her.
He smiled like a friend. His voice was low.
> "Some people don't make it past day one. I can help you disappear. Safe. Free. All I want is a little truth."
Lena didn't even blink.
> "If I needed rescuing," she said, "I'd rescue myself."
Dario grinned and stepped back.
> "Good. Lorenzo will like you."
---
🥊 The Strength Test
Concrete walls. Cold floor. Caged ring.
Lena faced a man twice her size, all muscle and tattoos.
But her fists were quick. Her moves smarter.
It didn't take long.
A few dodges, one hard elbow to the throat — and he was down.
Cheers echoed quietly from the walls.
Marco stood near the cage, impressed.
> "Remind me never to piss you off," he muttered.
Above them, Lorenzo leaned against the railing. No reaction. No smile. Just watching.
---
🌑 The Painting
Later that night, Lena couldn't sleep.
She left her room and wandered the halls. The mansion was huge — too big for silence.
That's when she saw it.
At the end of the corridor, behind glass, was an old painting.
Two men.
Lorenzo's father.
And another man — eyes strong, face familiar.
Lena froze.
She stepped forward, heart pounding.
> "Why do I feel like I know him?"
Her fingertips nearly touched the glass.
Then a soft voice spoke behind her.
> "That's an old part of the house."
She turned.
It was Emilio, one of Lorenzo's men. Younger. Sharp. Calm.
> "You're not in trouble," he added kindly. "Just… some wings of this place hold more than dust."
Lena looked back at the man in the painting.
> "Do you know who he is?"
Emilio hesitated.
> "Only by whispers. He was close to the boss's father. Some say… like family."
He held the door open for her.
> "Come. It's late. Your training starts tomorrow."
But Lena's eyes lingered on the photo one last time.
Something in her bones stirred.
---