Page 76 of The Devil's Fire

“Knowledge is power. You can’t keep me in the dark forever.”

He stopped walking, and his eyes locked onto mine as he tilted my chin upward with his fingers.

“You have a genuine innocence, Althaia, and this world is anything but. It fucks you up in unimaginable ways, so believe me when I say ignorance is a blessing for you. The less you know, the better.” Damiano spoke with a firm tone.

I sensed the gravity of the situation when that crease appeared between his brows. Strangely enough, a jolt of excitement ran through me as he continued to look at me with his focused gaze.

“Am I not already a part of this world? Look at who my father is.” I asked, wondering about the workings of it all.

“No.” He let me go as he shook his head, and we started walking again, waiting for him to elaborate. “Your father might be a mob boss, but that doesn’t mean you’re a part of it just because you’re his daughter. You have to take an oath.”

“Omertá.” I blurted, remembering I had read about it. It was a code of silence and a code of honor. Break it and you wouldn’t live to see the next hour. “Honestly, I thought it was made up. Is it actually serious?”

“It’s a blood oath; an unbreakable bond. Once it’s taken, there’s no going back. Only death releases you from it.”

I nodded in awe, sucking in all the information he was giving.

“How do you take the blood oath?” He gave me a stern look, and I rolled my eyes in response. “Okay, then do you know anyone who has broken it?”

My question had him go silent.

“I do.” Damiano answered after a while. I gave him a quick glance, noticing the blank expression on his face. Though my curiosity begged for more details, prying further was a line I couldn’t cross in this matter.

“How many have you killed?” The question slipped out before I even had a chance to think about what I was asking.

“Don’t even go there with me, Althaia.” His warning came too late, as the next question had already escaped my lips.

“5, 10, 30, 100?”

“Althaia.” Damiano gave me a harsh look, and I clamped my mouth shut.

“Sorry… I’m just curious, that’s all.” I sighed, but I knew I had overstepped.

“Your curiosity can get you killed.” He retorted firmly. “No more questions.” Damiano immediately said when I was about to say something.

“I want to understand your world better.” I said quietly.

“Don’t.”

Damn

We walked in silence, as I didn’t dare to utter another word. As we reached the end of the park, the air filled with the sounds of people screaming and laughing on roller coasters.

An immediate grin spread across my lips.

“No way, it’s an amusement park!” I let out a squeal of excitement and grabbed Damiano’s hand as I practically dragged him with me.

I couldn’t contain my excitement as I looked around. I hadn’t been to one in years.

I looked at Damiano and laughed. He seemed out of place, taking in the amusement park. He arched a brow in question when I continued to giggle.

“Don’t be so serious here. It’s a happy place! Brings back childhood memories, don’t they?”

“Hmm, I see.” He simply replied. I slightly frowned as I tilted my head.

“…You have been to an amusement park before, haven’t you?” I asked.

“No.” Damiano tucked his hands back into his pockets, his face remaining blank.

---