Chapter 4 — The Starlight Journal

Lily

The early evening air carried a faint chill as Lily meandered through Florence’s labyrinthine streets, her sandals tapping softly against the cobblestones. The city hummed with life, but her path wound through quieter alleys, away from the bustling piazzas and crowded avenues. The distant strains of a violin floated on the breeze, mingling with the earthy scent of wood smoke and the floral sweetness of jasmine. She tightened her cardigan around her shoulders, the coolness seeping into her skin as a peculiar sense of anticipation prickled at the edges of her thoughts. It felt as though the city itself were leading her somewhere, whispering its secrets just out of reach.