LUCA SARTORI.

ITALY.

꘎♡━━━━━━━♡꘎

"You have no idea how truly grateful our clan is to you, young Luca,"

says Stefan as he slides a black box toward me across the desk.

I lean forward calmly, as if I already know what’s inside. Resting on a velvet background is a golden earring with a small glass vial shaped like a teardrop. I roll my eyes in annoyance just imagining how ridiculous I’d look wearing something so damn absurd. I snap the box shut without another glance and shove it into my pocket like it’s nothing more than trash dressed up as a prize.

"Thanks," I mutter with absolutely no enthusiasm.

Stefan studies me carefully, with that same piercing gaze that always seems to say more than he actually does.

"I don’t feel you’re very motivated, Luca," he comments.

"Yeah, that’s true," I cross my arms as I respond. "The truth is, I’m not interested in this at all. I don’t seek any kind of recognition for what