The official meeting began after nightfall, the large hall buzzing with anticipation. A dais stood at the front, lined with more than a dozen rows of seats, all filled with members of the resistance. Stefano, Antonio, Davide, and I sat at the long table on the dais, positioned on the right side, while Alessandro, Edoardo, Roberto, Livia, and Niccolo took their seats across from us on the left.

I could hear the sharp mutterings and curses aimed at me and my mate. No matter how many times I told myself to ignore the venom, it still pricked at my heart. Stefano held my hand tightly, brushing his lips against my...