The morning in Valdoro arrived with a muted chill, sunlight pale against the frost-stiffened rooftops. From the garden terrace of the Bardi estate, Gina watched the mist rise over the distant rooftops of the Lower Quarter, the smoke from chimneys curling like whispered warnings. Her fingers traced the rim of a teacup, knuckles pale against porcelain, though the liquid inside had gone cold hours ago. Something in the air felt off. Subtle. Almost imperceptible, but her instincts, honed on years of stealth and observation, whispered that the city's calm was a lie. Tommy leaned against the balustrade, boots scuffed and hands shoved deep in the pockets of his coat. "You're brooding again," he said casually, though his eyes missed nothing. "City got your tongue, or just you?"
"Both," she admitted. "Something is shifting. I can feel it." He grinned, the kind of infuriating, golden-light grin that could make anyone forget the heaviness in their chest for a moment. "Maybe it's the rebellion giving you nightmares."
"Maybe it's the Council doing worse than we think." Tommy's gaze softened, and he stepped closer. "You're thinking too much. You need a break. Come on — show me something, any sign that makes you laugh before the city decides to kill our moods." Gina's lips twitched. "I was thinking of painting. Outside." He tilted his head. "I'll be the judge if it's funny enough." Minutes later, she set up her easel beneath the orchard's gnarled trees. The air smelled of wet earth and early frost. Tommy leaned lazily against a trunk, boots scraping loose pebbles. "You remember the time we tried to sneak into the council archives?" he asked, voice low, conspiratorial. Gina laughed quietly. "How could I forget? You tripped over a broom and almost set fire to the library."
"And you," he shot back, grinning, "ran like a rabbit with a bucket of stolen scrolls! Nearly toppled me over the bannister!" Their laughter carried softly, blending with the rustle of branches and distant city noises. It was a rare but a fragile joy, a stolen shard of freedom before the world reminded them of its chains. "You know," she said after a pause, paintbrush poised in mid-air, "even then, I could see you had the stubborn streak that would save people's asses eventually." Tommy smirked, leaning back on the tree. "Stubbornness, wit, and charm — the trifecta of survival." Her eyes softened, a quiet acknowledgment in the shadows of her lashes. "And loyalty," she whispered. The word lingered, heavier than either of them realized. "I'm glad you're here, Gina," Tommy said, quieter now, not joking. "Not just for the rebellion. For this. For… you." She dipped her brush into the paint, but her hands trembled slightly. "Me too, Tommy. Always." A shadow fell over the terrace. Gina didn't need to look, she knew whose presence it was before the cool hand of control touched her shoulder. Luca stood at the edge, coat pulled tight against the chill. His gaze swept over the two of them, analytical, calculating, but not unkind. "You're early," Gina said, attempting casualness she didn't feel. "I move when needed," he replied, eyes flicking to the painting. "This place… it's calm, but not harmless."
"Does it ever feel safe to you?" Tommy asked lightly, though his voice carried an undertone of caution. "No," Luca said plainly. "Not in Valdoro. But safety is a luxury we can't afford." Gina nodded, returning to her painting. She mixed a new shade of crimson, deeper than before and watched it bleed into the canvas. It reminded her of the streets, of fire and warning. Tommy shifted, watching Luca silently. There was tension there, unspoken, but neither spoke of it yet. They had learned early that words could fracture fragile trust. "You're here for the meeting?" Gina asked, keeping her tone steady. Luca inclined his head. "I received the summons. Four nights. The safe house."
"Good," Gina said softly, her brushstrokes deliberate, grounding herself. "We'll need to be ready. The city won't wait for us to decide." Tommy grinned, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Finally, a plan that doesn't involve me playing acrobat in dark alleys." Gina let herself smile faintly. "Don't tempt fate." The three of them simply existed in quiet proximity. The orchard around them, the pale morning sun, the distant hum of the city, it all felt fragile, delicate, as if any sound too loud might shatter it. And yet, beneath that calm, the pulse of something older stirred. Something waiting. Gina's fingers brushed over the canvas again, the faint shimmer beneath her skin, a warmth she had started noticing over the past few days, prickling in response to Luca's presence. She didn't understand it fully, but instinct told her it was important. Dangerous. Necessary. Tommy, ever perceptive despite his laughter, noticed it too. "You feel that?" he whispered, almost reverently. Gina hesitated. "Yes… but I don't know what it means." Luca's gaze darkened ever so slightly. "You will. Soon."
The wind picked up, carrying the scent of smoke and distant iron. Somewhere beyond the city, hidden in the twisting alleys and abandoned warehouses, the rebellion's heartbeat pulsed. And in four nights, that heartbeat would converge with theirs for the first time in a meeting that could change everything. Gina's brush hovered above the canvas, the crimson bleeding into gold.
The afternoon sun had climbed higher, casting soft, golden light across the Bardi estate. The gardens smelled of wet earth and crushed lavender, and the city beyond seemed momentarily distant. Gina adjusted her dark cloak as she stepped along the gravel path, the heels of her boots crunching faintly. The air carried a strange warmth, one that she could not explain, as if the sunlight itself hummed under her skin. Tommy walked beside her, hands tucked into his pockets. He glanced at her with easy amusement. "You're quiet today. Planning to paint the entire city in flames or just the part that annoys you?" Gina smiled faintly. "I'm thinking. The city has layers, Tommy. Most people only see the surface."
"And you?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "What do you see?" She hesitated. Her gaze swept across the orchard, the distant rooftops, and the marble towers beyond. "The cracks. Where it's vulnerable. Where change might sneak in." He chuckled softly. "You're such a rebel."
"You've been one longer than me," she said, teasing him lightly. "And don't pretend you don't love it."
"I do," he admitted with a grin, though his tone softened. "But not half as much as I love keeping you from brooding too hard." Their laughter was brief, carried away by the breeze, but it lingered in the warm light. Gina tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her thoughts drifting. It wasn't just the city she observed, it was herself. Lately, there were moments when she felt a pulse under her skin, a warmth that flared without reason. "Gina," Tommy said suddenly, his voice low. "You feel that too, right?" She turned to him. "Feel what?"
"That." He touched the back of his neck, like trying to pin the sensation to the world. "That… something under your skin. The air buzzing around you. I felt it when we were in the orchard this morning." Gina's heart skipped. She had noticed it but had dismissed it as nerves or imagination. "I thought I was imagining it," she admitted. "Trust me," Tommy said. "You're not. There's something alive in you. Something more than just rebellion and mischief." Her lips parted, uncertain. She didn't know what to say. She had felt it before, a pulse that answered to no sound or touch, like a secret she hadn't yet unlocked. Luca approached from the terrace above, silent as always, observing the city below. His presence was quiet but insistent. "It's not imagination," he said, his voice calm, steady. "It is real. You are… awakening." Gina swallowed, unsure if she should feel fear or wonder. She had spent her entire life believing magic had been erased from the world, that stories of power and the old ways were myths. And yet, here it was, prickling beneath her skin like coals waiting to ignite. Tommy's eyes lit up, curiosity and concern tangled together. "You knew?" Luca's lips curved faintly. "I've known since the beginning. That is why I am here." Gina froze. "Here? You mean… with the rebellion?"
"Yes," he said simply. "To guide you, to ensure you survive what is coming. You are not alone." The three of them walked toward the stables, the soft crunch of gravel underfoot blending with distant city sounds. Tommy's energy contrasted sharply with Luca's quiet control, yet Gina found herself drawn to both. She felt grounded by Tommy's warmth and intrigued by Luca's intensity. "Do you think the Council suspects anything?" Tommy asked, looking over his shoulder at the sprawling city. "Not yet," Gina replied. "But suspicion can be lethal here. We must move carefully." Luca's gaze swept the rooftops as if he could see beyond the buildings themselves. "Suspicion will rise. They feel the change in the air. Magic has always left traces, even when hidden." Tommy laughed, though it was tight. "Magic? Seriously? We're rebels, not witches."
"Perhaps," Luca said. "But some of us are more than rebels. Some of us are the remnants of what this world lost." The words settled over them. Tommy fell silent, thoughtful, while Gina felt a flicker beneath her skin, sharper now, more insistent. It responded to Luca's presence, as though recognizing him, as though understanding that their paths were bound together. Gina paused by the stables, hand brushing against a carved wooden post. Her vision wavered for a heartbeat. She glimpsed a shadow flicker in the corner of her mind, faint, flickering gold and crimson, like the fire of dawn. She blinked, steadying herself. "What is it?" Tommy asked, noticing her stillness. "Nothing," she said, shaking her head. "Just… the city playing tricks on me." Luca's eyes lingered on her, sharp and knowing. "It is not tricks. It is the first spark. It is awakening." Gina exhaled, letting the words sink in. She was not just a noblewoman hiding from the Council. She was something else, something old and dangerous and necessary.
Tommy grinned again, lighter this time. "Well, whatever it is, just promise me one thing. Don't explode before the mission. I don't want to clean up magical messes on my own." Gina laughed, feeling the tension ease slightly. "I'll try," she said. And in that golden afternoon, with sunlight filtering through the orchard and the city breathing quietly beyond the walls, the three of them walked together, rebels, friends, and now something more, their paths entwined with magic, destiny, and a flame yet to fully awaken.
The late afternoon sun slanted across the cobblestones of the Bardi estate courtyard, painting long shadows across the high walls. The city beyond simmered with muted noise, the clatter of carriages, distant shouts, and the faint scrape of metal on stone carrying faintly to them. Inside the stables, the three of them moved with quiet purpose. Luca inspected the weapons and gear laid out on a worn wooden table, while Tommy poked at a stack of maps, eyes darting back and forth like a restless bird. Gina stood nearby, uneasily tracing the outline of her hands with her eyes. Something hummed beneath her skin again, faint but persistent. A subtle warmth that pulsed in rhythm with her heartbeat, growing sharper every time she looked at Luca. She flexed her fingers and caught sight of a faint golden shimmer, like light caught in dust, drifting from her fingertips. Her breath hitched, but she forced herself to focus. "I told you," Luca said quietly, noticing her hesitation. "It is beginning. You cannot ignore it." Gina swallowed, forcing her voice steady. "I… I know. But I can't let it show yet. Not here. Not with the city still watching." Tommy leaned back against a beam, arms crossed, a teasing smile on his lips. "You mean you don't want to accidentally blow up the courtyard before the rebellion meeting? Smart choice."
Gina shot him a glare, but it faltered under the warmth of his grin. "Shut up." He laughed softly. "Fine, fine. But don't pretend I don't see it. That glow in your hands? That's not just nerves." Her fingers twitched, the shimmer flaring for a heartbeat, golden light spilling like liquid across her knuckles. She sucked in a breath. "It's… new. I've never felt it before. Not like this." Luca approached, silent, precise. He extended a hand, palm open. "Show me." Her instinct was to pull away, to hide it, but something in his presence demanded trust. She let her hand hover over his, and the light responded, pulsing faintly as if aware of his touch without contact. "Good," Luca murmured. "You are more than you know. This power, it is old, buried, but it recognizes you. It waits for your command." Tommy whistled softly. "Old, buried, and dangerous. Sounds like us in three sentences." Gina ignored him, focusing on the warmth radiating through her fingertips. It was intoxicating, but frightening. She had no control yet, only instinct. She closed her eyes briefly, letting the pulse settle like a heartbeat in her palm. "Do you think the council will notice?" she asked finally, voice low. Luca shook his head. "Not yet. But your magic will attract attention soon. The old ways cannot remain hidden forever. That is why we must prepare, not just for tonight, but for what comes after." Tommy shifted, the maps crumpling slightly under his restless hands. "Tonight, huh? You mean the meeting? How many of them are we expecting?"
"Most of the inner circle," Luca replied. "All active operatives. If you two are caught, it will not be just trouble — it will be death." Gina felt the weight of the warning settle over her like a physical presence. The rebellion was no longer just a series of thefts, secret letters, and coded messages. This was a war, and magic, long hidden, was about to return to the battlefield. Tommy's grin faded slightly, replaced by a rare seriousness. "Then we don't mess this up."
"No," Gina said softly, "we don't." They worked in silence for a moment, each focused on preparations. The scent of oil, metal, and faint lavender from the garden mingled in the air. It was a strange, comforting contrast to the tension coiling in her chest. Then a sudden knock at the side door of the stables startled them. Luca's hand went immediately to the hilt of his dagger, precise and calm. Tommy cursed under his breath, and Gina's heartbeat spiked. A small, cloaked figure stepped into the dim light. "Message from the master," the courier said, bowing slightly. "Two nights from now, the full assembly. All who bear the flame are summoned." Gina's stomach knotted. "The one beneath the iron bridge?"
"Yes," the messenger replied. "Every operative with potential, every ally known, every spark that remains hidden. You are expected." The courier left as quickly as they had arrived, leaving the three of them in tense quiet. Tommy rubbed his hands together. "Well, that escalated quickly. Two nights. Sounds like a perfect time for chaos." Gina's lips pressed into a thin line. "It's not chaos. It's strategy. And we need to survive it." Luca stepped closer, voice quiet but firm. "You will survive. But you must learn control. That is why you are here. Why I am here." Gina exhaled, tension threading through her shoulders. "Control," she murmured, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. She glanced at Tommy, whose grin had returned, albeit slightly subdued. "We survive together. Right?"
"Always," Tommy said, eyes soft. Luca's dark gaze flicked between them, unreadable, but there was something in the slight curve of his mouth, almost imperceptible, that hinted at approval. Outside, the city seemed calm. Too calm. The shadows were lengthening, the wind carrying whispers she could almost understand. The ember inside her pulsed again, responding to the presence of both allies and danger. She did not yet know the full extent of what she carried, but she knew it mattered. Gina clenched her fists lightly, feeling the warmth grow, steady and insistent. The rebellion was no longer just survival. It was awakening.
Night fell over Valdoro like a heavy curtain, cloaking the city in shadow and silence. The streets below the Bardi estate seemed emptier than usual, the faint glow of lanterns flickering along the cobblestones. Inside the safe house, a single candle lit the room, its flame dancing against the walls as if it, too, were anxious about what was to come. Gina adjusted the dark cloak around her shoulders, the soft fabric brushing against the faint shimmer beneath her skin. She could feel the ember stirring, warming her palms as she paced the small space. The scent of oil and metal from the gathered equipment mingled with the faint perfume of the herbs Luca had placed near the windows. Tommy leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, his golden-brown eyes scanning the room with a mix of amusement and alertness. "You're twitchy," he said casually, though the smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "You've got that magic thing acting up, don't lie."
"I'm aware," Gina murmured, brushing her hands along the table where maps and coded letters were laid out. "It's… stronger tonight. I can feel it more than before." Luca stepped from the shadows, precise, controlled, every movement deliberate. His eyes swept over the room, and when they landed on Gina, they softened just slightly. "It will happen," he said, voice low, measured. "The spark within you has been dormant too long. Tonight, it may demand more than control." Tommy tilted his head, watching her. "Demanding, huh? That sounds ominous."
"It is," Luca replied. "And beautiful." Gina's lips parted, caught between fear and anticipation. She tried to steady her breathing. "Then we prepare," she said finally. "We have the meeting tonight, and we need to survive it. The master has gathered everyone who bears the flame. Every ally. Every spark still hidden." Tommy's grin returned, though tension still threaded his stance. "Survive it. Right. Got it." The sound of a soft knock echoed against the wooden door. Luca moved first, hand resting near his dagger, eyes narrowing. Gina followed, pulse quickening. The door opened to reveal a hooded courier, face shadowed, voice low. "All are ready. The assembly awaits. The master will not delay. You three are expected." Gina nodded, swallowing hard. "We'll be there." The messenger left, footsteps fading into the night. Silence returned, heavier than before. Gina's gaze fell to her hands, the glow more insistent now, tiny embers sparking at her fingertips. She could feel it responding to the tension in the room, to the anticipation, to the presence of Luca and Tommy nearby. Luca moved to the door, signalling them to follow. "Stay close. Control your fear. The council may suspect, but the master's assembly is meant to guide, not expose." The three of them slipped into the streets, careful, silent, every step measured. The city around them was quiet, too quiet, as if holding its breath. Lanterns flickered along the narrow alleys, casting long shadows that danced like restless spirits.
They reached the safe house where the assembly was to be held. Inside, the room was large, low-ceilinged, and lit by candles scattered around the stone floor. Several figures were already present, rebels of all ages, some cloaked, some plainly dressed, but all carrying the weight of secrets and hidden power. Gina's heart quickened as they moved forward. She could feel her ember flaring, small sparks drifting into the air like dust motes, unnoticed by most, but tingling with potential. Her eyes flicked to Luca, whose expression remained calm, commanding, almost reverent in the presence of the gathering. Tommy's arm brushed hers, grounding her. The master of the rebellion, a tall figure draped in dark robes, stepped forward. Silence fell instantly. The air felt charged, heavy with anticipation, and Gina realized her ember pulsing was not just her own, it was responding to the latent power in the room. "You who carry the old ways, the hidden flame," the master began, voice low but resonant, "you are here because the world has forgotten its power. Tonight, we reclaim a fraction of what was lost. Together, you will learn, you will fight, and you will survive." Gina felt the ember within her surge. It stretched and twined around her fingers, brushing against the edge of her awareness like a living thing. She tightened her grip on Tommy's hand for grounding and glanced at Luca, who met her gaze with steady certainty. The meeting had begun. The night would test them, reveal secrets, and ignite sparks that none of them could yet fully understand. The rebellion, the magic, and the city itself waited with bated breath. Gina exhaled slowly. She was ready to step into it, into fire, into danger, and into the unknown.