Page 19 of Of Lies and Shadows

And a little boy who makes me laugh harder than I ever have, dragging me into his sunroom adventures and appointing me first mate of his magical crew.

And the truth is, as terrifying as it is to admit it, after just one week, I’ve started falling in love with these children.

And that? That complicateseverything.

There’s something else that gnaws at me, too, something I try not to think about: the temporary nature of this assignment.

Every day spent under this roof is another risk. A risk of being discovered. A risk of beingkilled.

But even knowing that, I’m more temporary than Dante even realizes.

And the worst part? He’s right.

His children are already growing attached.

And when I leave, because I will leave, they’ll lose me.

I never meant to hurt anyone. Not really. Not beyondhim.

I never imagined I’d form a bond with these kids.

But it’s clear they’re starving for something this house doesn’t give them.

Tenderness. Safety. Someone who sees them and stays.

The same things I craved my whole life.

I guess it’s true what they say: You grow up to become the adult you needed around you.

So I try to ease my guilt by thinking maybe… maybe I can do something good here.

Maybe I can show Dante how to reach them. Show him how to soften around his children.

Maybe if I can help him learn how to love them out loud, they won’t be too sad when I go.

Maybe if I make myself less needed, it won’t hurt so much when I leave.

I’m trying a new tactic tonight, one that might get the children to eat their vegetables without a fight:make your own pizza night. Nina, the cook, wasn’t exactly thrilled when I first brought it up, arching a brow like I’d suggested setting fire to the kitchen. But when I explained that it meant she wouldn’t have to cook and could leave early, a small, reluctant smile tugged at her lips. She even offered to prep the ingredients before heading out, grumbling something about “little tornadoes and flour on the walls” as she tied her apron.

I set everything up on the kitchen counter and lay out the toppings in little bowls: chopped tomatoes, mushrooms, sweet corn, peppers, spinach, mozzarella, and just enough pepperoni to spark Alessio’s excitement.

Alessio bursts into the kitchen like a whirlwind, eyes wide as he spots the table.

“Are we making pizza? Likerealpizza? Can I make a dragon one? With extra fire?”

I laugh, handing him an apron. “Absolutely. As long as you can handle the heat.”

He grins like I just handed him a sword. “I want red peppers for the flames and pepperoni for the dragon scales!”

Lucia walks in more slowly, peeking at the bowls with cautious curiosity.

She doesn't say anything right away, just watches her brother piling toppings like it’s a treasure hoard.

I crouch beside her, my voice soft. “You can shape your dough however you like. A star, a moon, even a flower.”

She tilts her head, thinking. “Can I make a heart?” she asks in a whisper as if it’s something too delicate to say too loud.

I smile. “Of course. A heart is perfect.”

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