Chapter 3 The Mark of the Lion

AMELIA'S HOUSE

(Amelia's mother paced the living room, her face etched with worry. It had been over twenty-four hours since she last saw or heard from her daughter, and the silence gnawed at her heart. She had already reported Amelia's disappearance to the police, but no updates had come. As she was about to collapse onto the couch, the doorbell rang. Her heart leapt with hope, praying it was her daughter. But when she opened the door, her heart sank.)

MARTHA

"Who are you, and what do you want?" I asked, my voice trembling.

The man standing there offered a faint smile, his demeanor calm yet unsettling.

"Ma'am, I'm Leonardo, Amelia's-"

"Boyfriend," a voice finished for him.

A girl stepped into view, and I instantly recognized her-Lisa, Amelia's best friend.

"Ah, yes, come in, dear," I said, stepping aside. "Though Amelia never mentioned having a boyfriend."

Leonardo coughed awkwardly while Lisa nudged his shoulder with a playful smirk.

"Right. She probably didn't tell you because she didn't want it to be public yet. But, aunty, we came to ask if there's any news about Amelia."

I looked at them, my heart heavy, and shook my head slowly.

"So sorry to hear that, aunty," Leonardo said gently. "But you shouldn't worry too much. Amelia will be found soon."

We sat and talked for a while before they left, leaving me alone with my thoughts and fears.

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LORENZO'S MANSION

(Amelia paced back and forth in the cold, dim room, her mind spiraling with fear. The weight of what had happened pressed down on her chest like a stone.)

AMELIA'S POV

What have I gotten myself into? Why did I slap him? Oh God, is he going to kill me? I thought, panic rising in my chest. No, no, no-he's human. He must have some sympathy. I just have to apologize.

The sound of the door unlocking snapped me out of my thoughts. The cold, dark figure I had slapped earlier stepped into the room, his expression unreadable. Two hefty guards followed behind him, their presence making my body tremble uncontrollably.

I dropped to my knees instantly, my pride swallowed by fear.

"I'm so sorry, sir. Please, don't kill me. It wasn't my intention to raise my hand to you-it just happened," I pleaded, my voice shaking.

But he said nothing. His icy gaze bored into me, and then, without a word, he turned to the guards.

"You can begin," he ordered coldly.

The two men grabbed me roughly, dragging me to my feet. My heart pounded so hard I could hear it in my ears. A maid entered with a bucket of ice-cold water and threw it at me without hesitation.

I let out a sharp scream as the freezing water soaked through my clothes, making me shiver violently.

Then, to my horror, the maid started unbuttoning my top as the guards held me tightly.

"What are you doing? Let me go! Please, I'm sorry-LET ME GO!" I screamed, tears streaming down my face.

I struggled with all my strength, but it was useless. The guards were too strong. In moments, I was left standing in just my undies, my body trembling from both fear and cold.

The guards finally released me, and I collapsed to the floor, sobbing.

The stranger walked up to me, his cold eyes locked on mine. He knelt and lifted my chin with his icy hand, forcing me to meet his gaze.

"We're not done yet, and you're already crying, Amelia," he said, his voice devoid of any emotion.

I couldn't stop the sobs from escaping my lips, my body trembling violently.

"Stand up," he commanded.

Without thinking, I scrambled to my feet, too terrified to disobey.

"Now... strip."

I blinked, thinking I must've heard him wrong. "S-sir, please... repeat what you said?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.

His glare was like a dagger to my soul.

I swallowed hard, fresh tears streaming down my face. My hands shook as I slowly removed my bra, his piercing eyes following my every move. Shame and fear burned inside me, but I couldn't stop. I slid my panties down, leaving me completely exposed in front of him.

"Let's move to round two," he said coldly, turning to the men.

Before I could react, the guards grabbed me again. I was too weak, too broken to scream. I just sobbed, my body limp in their grip.

"Hand me the iron bar," he said, his voice like ice.

My heart stopped. Iron bar? My mind raced with fear. What is he going to do to me?

A maid walked in, holding a long black iron rod. The initial L was engraved at the top, and the metal glowed faintly-it was hot.

The stranger moved closer, grabbing my hair roughly and yanking my head back.

"Now I'll tell you who I am," he hissed, his breath hot against my ear. "I am Lorenzo De Luca, the leader of the Lion's Den. And nobody messes with me and goes scot-free, witch."

The name hit me like a punch. Lion's Den. I had heard of them before-whispers of their cruelty, their power. But before I could process what that meant, searing pain exploded across my abdomen.

Lorenzo had pressed the burning iron against my skin.

I let out the loudest, most agonizing scream of my life. It felt like my very soul was being ripped apart. Nothing-nothing-had ever hurt like this. Not even when my father abandoned us.

This," he said, releasing my hair, "will serve as a daily reminder to never mess with me again."

"Release her," he ordered the men, his voice as cold as ever. "And make sure she gets no food, no water, and definitely no new clothes."

With that, he walked out, leaving me broken and branded.

The guards let me go and followed him, leaving me alone in the dark, freezing room. I lay there on the cold floor, tears streaming down my face, my body wracked with pain.

What have I done to deserve this? I thought, my heart breaking. Why is life punishing me like this?

I sobbed until I couldn't cry anymore, until everything around me faded into darkness.