Lords of the Underworld: The Prince of Sin

Episode 3

The sun beat down on San Sebastian, and the hot wind made my long black hair dance as I walked through the cemetery, holding a bouquet of white lilies.

My mourning uniform was already a second skin. Black had become my color since that day. Since my life was stained with blood.

I knelt before the three aligned graves and ran my fingers over the cold marble surface, wiping away any trace of dust.

My family. My past.

I left the bouquet on my father's tombstone, inhaling deeply, trying to find strength.

"I came, papa..." my voice came out low, choked. "As always, as every week. Like every damn time I wake up and realize you're not here anymore."

I closed my eyes and, for a moment, allowed myself to remember.

My father always said the Sanchez name carried power.

"We are warriors, Luna. Never forget that."

He was ruthless, dangerous, a man who made many enemies. But to me? He was the father who taught me to ride a bike, who hugged me when I cried, who made me feel safe in a world of monsters.

I had just turned sixteen when he took me to the Caribbean, just the two of us. It was one of the last happy memories I had.

And then everything fell apart.

The metallic smell of blood.

The suffocated screams.

The dead look in my brother's eyes.

And my father... falling to his knees, defeated.

A part of me died that afternoon.

And the other... well, the other was left alive only to suffer.

I clenched my fists and closed my eyes, feeling the fury pulse in my veins.

"They will pay, papa. I swear." My voice was a whisper laden with dark promises. "I will make them bleed. Every single one of them."

The wind blew strongly, as if responding to my silent vow.

I heard footsteps approaching and turned around. Edgar was there, watching me.

He was the only one left. The only one who didn't abandon me. With his firm gaze, his rigid posture, he was more than a bodyguard. He was the only family I had left.

"Time to go, pequeña."

I took a deep breath and stood up. I cast one last look at the tombstones before turning my back.

"Let's go."

At the mansion

As soon as I entered, the weight of the house hit me like an avalanche.

The hallways echoed with memories, the furniture held stories. But not the good ones. The good ones had died with them.

"Luna, I was waiting for you."

The voice of Ursula, my friend, brought me back to reality.

She was leaning against the doorframe of the living room, arms crossed, her expression worried.

"Teresa said you'd be back soon," she continued.

I nodded, sighing.

"I went to visit my father. Let's go to my room. I want to take a shower and then we can talk."

She just nodded, accompanying me up the stairs.

In the room

I let out a heavy sigh as I threw myself into the armchair. Ursula sat on the bed, watching me.

"How are you, friend? Have you been taking your medicine?"

I clenched my jaw before lying.

"Yes... I'm taking it."

The truth? I hadn't taken it in weeks. Those pills kept me functional, numbed the pain. But I didn't want to be numbed. I wanted to feel.

To feel the hatred. The anger. The desire for revenge burning in my gut.

"And the wedding?" Her voice came hesitantly. "Have you chosen the dress yet?"

My stomach churned.

The wedding.

My sentence.

Being forced to marry the brother of that bastard.

The first and last time I saw Ramon Martinez, I was sixteen. He was there. He watched everything coldly.

"Luna?" Ursula's voice brought me back.

I blinked, taking a deep breath.

"Oh... I... I left Teresa to take care of it."

She studied me for a moment before letting out a sigh.

"You need to be strong, friend. Don't let them break you."

I let out a bitter laugh.

"They already broke me, Ursula. They destroyed the old Luna. They killed my innocence, my life... everything I was."

She looked down, biting her lip.

The silence stretched until she changed the subject.

"Tomorrow is your birthday. What are you planning to do?"

I shrugged.

"I don't know yet... Maybe go out, have some fun... if that's still possible."

"And...?" she arched an eyebrow.

I bit my lip before blurting out, bluntly:

"I want to sleep with someone."

Ursula choked.

"What?!"

"I'm not giving my purity to that bastard," I spat. "I'd rather die. So, before this damn ceremony happens, I'm going to sort this out with anyone. The first one who shows up. I won't give my fiance that satisfaction."

Ursula's eyes widened before she let out an incredulous laugh.

"Finally, friend! It took you long enough to make that decision."

My expression hardened.

"Cherish the memories of the old Luna, because after tomorrow... I won't even be a shadow of what I was."

She watched me for a moment before fiddling with her phone.

"I think I have something that might interest you."

I narrowed my eyes when she turned the screen towards me.

A digital invitation glowed on the screen:

"Masquerade Ball. Tomorrow. Exclusive location. Invite only."

I frowned.

"A masquerade ball? How outdated."

"I was invited, but I can't go because my mother is dragging me on a last-minute trip," she explained. "But you can go."