Mia's eyes widened as Luca's words hung in the air.
"What do you mean?" Mia demanded, her voice shaking with a mix of fear and curiosity.
Luca's expression was grim, his eyes burning with intensity.
"Your father's condition is the result of a... supernatural influence," he said, his voice low and measured.
Mia felt like she'd been punched in the gut. Supernatural influence? What was Luca talking about?
"That's impossible," Mia said, trying to keep her voice steady. "My father is a doctor. He doesn't believe in superstitions."
Luca's smile was wry, his eyes glinting in the moonlight.
"Your father's skepticism is precisely the problem," he said. "He's been investigating a series of... unusual occurrences in Ashwood. And I fear he's gotten in over his head."
Mia's mind was reeling. Unusual occurrences? What kind of occurrences?
As she looked into Luca's eyes, Mia felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew that she was on the cusp of something big, something that would change her life forever.
"Tell me more," Mia said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Luca's expression was somber, his eyes burning with intensity.
"I'll tell you everything," he said. "But first, you need to promise me one thing."
Mia's heart was racing now, her mind racing with questions.
"What do I need to promise?" Mia asked, her voice trembling.
Luca's eyes seemed to bore into her soul.
"You need to promise me that you'll trust me, no matter what happens," he said. "Can you do that, Mia?"
Mia hesitated, unsure of what to say. But as she looked into Luca's eyes, she knew that she had no choice.
"Yes," Mia said, her voice firm. "I promise."
Luca's smile was enigmatic, his eyes glinting in the moonlight.
"Good," he said. "Because what I'm about to tell you will change everything."
And with that, Luca began to speak, his words weaving a tale of mystery, magic, and supernatural forces that threatened to destroy everything Mia held dear.