Pacing back and forth, I had no idea what to do. Thanks to my father's crazy obsession with money, Tina was in danger. Although he had done bad things before, sending Valentina to the Knights was the worst. I was glad my mom disagreed with him. Despite that, she didn't let me out of my room. Although I had been punching the door for a long time, my mother didn't open it. She was too distracted arguing with my father downstairs. Tina could be dead, and I was stuck in that stupid bedroom. It wouldn't be wise to face those hooded men alone, but I had no choice. Valentina would die if I did nothing.

"Why did I believe my father?" I put both hands on my head. "He'd never let Tina live!"

I stared at the door, wondering how I'd open the stupid thing. Destroying the lock was an option. However, I didn't have the right instruments. Some tears ran down my cheeks as I recalled Tina's situation. Only God knew what those maniacs were doing to her. I should've tried to warn Valentina. At the same time, how was I supposed to know my dad would call the Knights regardless of what I told her? That situation was complicated.

There must be something I can do to save her!

At that instant, a strange stream ran down my arms, seemingly trying to reach my fists. It was the same weird sensation I'd had after Valentina's cheek kiss. A light-blue glow surrounded my hands... What was that? My eyes bulged as I attempted to understand that event. I looked back once I heard a noise.

I gawked. "My God!"

My nightstand, dresser, and menorah floated. Menorah was the traditional seven-lamp Jewish lampstand used for Hannukah, an eight-day celebration to honor the recovery of Jerusalem. My parents would kill me if I broke that. I panted, unable to believe I was witnessing that magical phenomenon. If I hadn't hurt Tina's feelings, she would've explained what was happening, and we'd still be friends. God, I missed her! I raised a brow while approaching the nightstand. It moved in the same direction as my hands did.

"Wait... I'm the one doing this!" I made the nightstand fly left. "But how?"

Apparently, Tina's powers were contagious. I had no idea how she'd given me a magical gift. I wish I could control levitation efficiently as Valentina did. Even though I showed the floor to my objects, they kept floating. I wondered why they didn't follow my directions. Sweat flooded my back and legs.

I gazed at my glowing hands. "I must put these accidental powers to use!"

I showed the door's direction. My parents wouldn't like my plan, but I couldn't care less. With my mind, I slowly felt the objects around me. The magic pumped on my arms and hands like a heartbeat. I took a deep breath and made the dresser fly so quickly that it crashed against my bedroom entrance. Surprisingly, I succeeded in destroying the door with that trick. I gulped as my father ran upstairs.

"You'll clean this mess later!" he bared his teeth. "What are you doing, spoiled brat?"

"Saving a life," I brought the levitated menorah closer to my dad. "Out of my way!"

Dad gaped as he observed the floating objects. My mom put both hands on her face and screamed once she arrived. I bit my lower lip sharply as my parents stared at me as if I was a freak. I had a taste of what Tina faced every day. The feeling wasn't good at all.

Mom's chin trembled. "Did Valentina turn you into... this?"

"She's the only one who could've done it," my father rolled his eyes. "Another reason why I was right to send the Knights after her."

"This isn't her fault!" I shouted. "Now, if you excuse me..."

Dad crossed his arms. "I'm not letting you go after that witch."

I wanted to throw the menorah on his head, but I couldn't. However, I wouldn't let the Knights stay with Tina. I had to find a less painful solution. Dad chuckled once I put the menorah on the floor, but the smile vanished when I levitated him. Mom gaped while he screamed. I wasn't hurting my dad and he still created that unnecessary drama. I gulped as other objects started flying.

I must learn how to control this power.

I put my father in a corner, so he was no longer in front of me. For the first time, I had prevented my dad from being an obstacle in my life. Besides being determined to rescue Tina, I hoped to explain the truth. It wasn't right for Valentina to think I wanted to stop talking to her. She had to know my father had forced me to say those things.

Dad bared his teeth. "Stubborn boy!"

"You've finally made an intelligent observation," I smiled defiantly. "Stubborn is my middle name."

I wondered if I was the only one who felt that way. Perhaps there was someone out there stubborn like me... Anyway, I left my house. I wouldn't stop panting as Valentina was nowhere to be seen. Was I too late? Had the Knights killed her? I thought about that horrible possibility while running around the city like a crazy person.

I rubbed my forehead. "Tina, where are you? Please, be alright."

Closing my eyes, I couldn't believe what was happening. My cowardice put Valentina in danger, my dad lied, I gained powers I didn't understand... What a horrible night! If Tina was safe and sound, that was all that mattered. However, I didn't know how to find that out. I raised a brow as a blue-eyed woman with light-brown hair approached me.

I don't need more trouble.

"No inappropriate fun tonight. Perhaps some other time," the woman scowled. "I'm too busy looking for someone I care deeply about."

"You're beautiful, but I'm not interested in... that," I gulped. "No offense."

"Don't worry," she glanced at my badge. "You must be crazy to walk around Catholic areas at night. It's dangerous."

I sighed. "I won't rest until I find my... well, friend."

"Crazy and brave? My best friend would love you!" the woman smirked. "I'll introduce you two if I find her. She desperately needs an interesting man."

I chuckled. "Thank you, but I'm not searching for someone new."

"What a shame," she shrugged. "I had a feeling you'd get along well with Valentina."

My eyes widened. I was sure there were other women named Valentina in Venice, but what if that lady knew my Tina? I rubbed my chin, wondering if Valentina had mentioned a best friend, then I remembered: she'd talked about a rule-breaking nun. Perhaps I was right in front of that person.

"Is her last name Trovato?" I hoped not to be wrong. "If yes, I suspect you're Isa."

"Isabella Castelli," she shook my hand. "I assume you're Sandro Montefiore, the handsome man who almost kissed Val."

"That's me," I smiled. "Wait... She thinks I'm handsome?"

"Val's family explained everything. They're furious about that bedroom thing," Isa chuckled. "That makes me like you even more."

"How flattering," I looked around. "Any idea about where Tina could be?"

At that instant, a man in a white tunic showed up. He seemed to know who I was, but I tried to ignore his mysterious glare. Isa frowned, seemingly surprised as well. The man floated towards us. I gawked, not understanding the situation and unsure of what to do.

What is happening?

"The Knights are keeping my daughter in a hidden place protected by Tenebris," the man pointed towards the right. "She's near a yellow and white home close to the Adriatic Sea's south side. You better hurry."

"It's nice to meet you, mister... Valentina's father," I cleared my throat and hoped he wouldn't sense my fear. "How do you know her location?"

"Call me Fahid," Tina's dad smiled softly. "I'm a ghost, so I see everything."

I forced a laugh. "Aren't there any small details you miss?"

Fahid shook his head in denial. I gulped, wondering if he knew I had nearly kissed his daughter twice. I didn't want to get on a ghost's bad side. Being haunted by him wouldn't be pleasant.

Tina's father knows everything. I'm doomed!

"Valentina is trying a strategy to escape, but it most likely won't work," Tina's father seemed worried. "Save her. Please..."

He disappeared into a yellow light. Isa tilted her head to the side, apparently confused. Rubbing my forehead, I prayed Tina was still alive. I'd never forgive myself if those maniacs had killed her already. All because I trusted that horrible man I called dad.

"I'll find Tina," I glanced at an alley. "You should stay here and wait."

Isa crossed her arms. "Why would I do that, bread-head?"

"Because you don't have powers," I sighed pronouncedly. "You'll put yourself in danger."

She pointed at something behind me. "You must've gotten them recently because your control is terrible."

I swallowed hard once I turned back. A dirty ale glass, a red fan, and a brown vest floated behind me. After three attempts, I felt the objects with my mind and brought them back to the ground. Although I hated to admit it, Isa wasn't wrong. I hoped not to make things worse with my wild magic. Tina needed help, not more trouble.

"Besides, Val means the world to me. When we met, I was an eleven-year-old crying on the street because her parents wanted a submissive daughter," Isabella wiped away a tear. "She convinced me to go back home and find a way to be myself amidst the oppression. That's what I did by accepting to be a nun while breaking the rules at night."

I raised my brows. "It seems Valentina helped you a lot."

Isa nodded. "She changed my life. I'm fighting for my best friend, regardless of what you think."

I took a deep breath. "Let's fight for her together then."

Isa and I walked to the place Fahid described. Luckily, there weren't many yellow and white homes by the sea, so we found the spot quickly. However, it was empty. No sign of Tina or the stupid Knights. Could her father be wrong? What if the location was different? My sweating increased as I thought of Valentina. I couldn't let the KHW hurt her.

Please, be alive...

"Could we be too late? What if Tina is gone?" I put both hands in my head. "This is all my fault!"

"Don't blame yourself," Isabella gave me a pat on the back. "We'll find your beloved."

"Beloved? She... She's just my friend!" I cleared my throat. "I never fall in love. Nothing will change that."

Isa grinned. "Are you trying to convince me or yourself, little angel?"

I felt my cheeks turning red. Isabella laughed softly. When I was about to speak, the floor trembled. She scowled, apparently surprised. For an instant, I thought the ground would shatter. It kept shaking for a while, so I took a few steps back. A big round hole surrounded by an orange light opened below Isabella and me. We screamed as the mysterious thing swallowed us.

I coughed when some dust entered my nose. "I'm guessing the Knights like filthy places."

Isa and I landed on a cold grey floor. The walls were made of stone, had several large wooden doors, and each entry had a fire torch on each side. Unfortunately, there was nothing to levitate. I rubbed my forehead, thinking of what to do next. Isabella breathed quickly while looking around. Although I didn't see bodies, that place smelled like death. Valentina didn't deserve whatever horrible fate the KHW had prepared for her.

I'll destroy these idiots now that I have powers.

My eyes bulged as Isabella and I entered another hallway. Seven hooded men looked at us, grabbed their swords, and walked closer. I concentrated on the blades, hoping to levitate them. I wanted to slap myself in the face as I only took three swords from those men. Perhaps it wasn't helpful to have magic when you don't know how to use it.

Isa gawked as she turned to me. "Did Val give you these powers?"

I shrugged. "I have no idea."

"Well, what do we have here?" a Knight approached me. "A magical Jew!"

"I'll take that as a compliment," I grinned mischievously to hide my fear. "Many women would agree with you, sir."

"If only Knights and magical creatures go through our portals, how could this lady be here?" the guy glanced at Isa. "Something's wrong!"

"I'm done talking, bread-head!" Isabella narrowed her eyes. "Where's Valentina?"

"Shut your mouth, witch!" the man pointed at us. "Get them!"

Isabella and I ran. The Knights kept chasing us. I levitated a fire torch and threw it on our enemies, burning two of them. My legs hurt as I couldn't stop running. Isa grabbed a piece of iron from the floor and threw it at a man, making him flinch. A nun and a rag seller versus experienced killers... What could go wrong?

"What are you waiting for?" she ground her teeth. "Make more things fall on them!"

"I'm trying!" I couldn't levitate the other fire torches we found. "My magic isn't working correctly."

We stopped once more men showed up. They surrounded us. I looked in every direction, and there was nowhere to go. I squeezed my eyes shut while sighing. Why was I such a failure? Besides trusting my dad, I couldn't control my powers completely or save Tina from those maniacs. Maybe he was right about me being a disappointment. A KHW member walked around Isa and me, apparently eager to kill us.

"Perhaps I could show you my unsacred side, gentleman. In exchange, you let me and my friend go," Isa licked her lips while smiling at the hooded guys. "Do we have a deal?"

An older man grinned cruelly. "Only if it ends with you and him in our prison."

I took a deep breath. "Let's talk about..."

Someone knocked me down before I finished speaking. I lost my senses as I crashed against the ground. Gulping, I hoped Isa wasn't injured. All my bones hurt as if somebody had smashed me inside. I prayed I hadn't died. I'd never be able to rescue Valentina if I wasn't alive. She had to be alright. Although I didn't deserve her, the world did.

**** 

Author's note: The Knights have Sandro and Isa. Will Sandro use his new powers to escape with Isabella and save Valentina? Who's leading the Knights? Keep reading and you'll find out... ;-)

I dedicate this chapter to my dear friend Rynstadoll