My eyes begged me to cry. Despite that, I wouldn't give that bastard the pleasure of my pain. Isa trembled as the idiot put the sword closer to her neck. I threatened to use my magic, and so did Sandro. I thought Isabella would do the same, but she seemed too scared to move. The other Knights approached that horrible man, made a reverence, and said their stupid Latin motto. He chuckled, apparently entertained by Isa's desperation. The traitor had a bright golden triangle under his KHW symbol. That extra symbol and how the others had kneeled probably meant he was the leader. I didn't want to believe what I was seeing.

"Did you think I ever liked you, little Moor?" the traitor laughed loudly. "Poor thing!"

"You'll burn, Ettore!" I glared at him. "It's just a matter of time."

"I never believed you visited people to comfort them," Ettore's lips curled into a cruel grin. "That smelled like witchcraft, so I sent my men to spy on you."

I frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"For a long time, I've suspected you had powers," the traitor shot me a defiant stare. "I'll find out which one of you is the Unity. Then, you can all die together."

This is worse than getting stabbed or burning on a fire pit.

I breathed fast as Ettore dragged Isa closer. Sandro narrowed his eyes, seemingly angry. The other Knights grabbed their swords. Wiping the sweat off my forehead, I wasn't sure what to do. Dario's cousin had never looked at me with such hatred before. That wasn't the Ettore Fenaroli I knew. What did I miss? How could I have had feelings for him? Sometimes, the heart can be dumb.

"I'll start with your Jew," the traitor looked at Sandro. "He hid his badge, but my fellow Knights know the truth."

"You won't lay a finger on him!" I controlled myself not to freak out as I got closer to San. "Are you really in charge of this stupid organization?"

"I've been the leader for six years. The previous one was incompetent, so my companions killed him," he grinned cruelly. "That assassination was one of the greatest days of my life."

"I thought you were a good man!" I breathed fast and knitted my brows. "How could you pretend all these years?"

"I was your friend until I joined the Knights at age fifteen. They opened my eyes about filthy people like you," Ettore huffed. "I can't believe you ever thought I'd fall for you."

I blinked fast. "I... I didn't tell you anything about this subject."

"Dario said you had feelings for me. He thought I liked you back," the traitor wrinkled his nose. "My cousin is stupid. I'd never love a half-breed witch."

He's a monster.

Although I wanted to answer, I couldn't. I cried inside and outside. The last thing I needed was to hear that horrible thing. If San could see my soul, he would find new bruises. Thankfully, I stopped having feelings for Ettore long ago. I thought he had never felt the same, and I was right. I'd finally found out why he liked submissive women: because I didn't know him as well as I thought.

"Only a crazy man would appreciate Valentina's manliness," Ettore turned to Isabella. "Am I right, sweetie?"

Isa gasped. "Don't call me that, bastard!"

Sandro shot Ettore a cold glare. "If you can't see how amazing Tina is, you must be really stupid."

No one ever defended me like that!

Ettore gawked. My cheeks turned red. Although I hated to admit it, I couldn't stop smiling. San winked at me and grinned. We looked at each other for a minute, making my stomach flutter. Sandro didn't use his powers, and yet he healed me. Isa chuckled, making Ettore growl.

"You two are disgusting," Ettore retched. "Enough stalling. Surrender or Isabella dies!"

I raised my hands, pretending to surrender. Sandro did the same once I nodded. I looked in every direction, making sure the Tenebris wasn't nearby. When many Knights approached, I screamed and levitated them all at once. I threw my enemies against the outside walls of a home, making them flinch. Sandro levitated some others, doing the same as me. He accidentally made some empty wine bottles float too... Yes, San desperately needed to learn to control his magic.

Come on, Isa! Use your powers!

Before I could save Isabella, she took action. My best friend elbowed Ettore in the ribs, making him cringe. She created a barrier, turned it into a blade, and opened a massive injury on Ettore's waist. He squeezed his eyes shut while screaming in pain.

Isabella laughed. "Take that, bread-head!"

"They fell for it," I turned to Sandro. "Just like you did when I mentioned my dream."

"Really?" San raised a brow. "What did you truly dream about?"

Why did I do this?

I wanted to stop saying things I shouldn't, but my big mouth wouldn't let me. There was something about Sandro that made me tell him everything. However, I had to start controlling myself. He could never know I had dreamed we kissed passionately in my bedroom. I was ripping off his tunic when the dream ended. Despite being a Catholic, I was far from being a saint. I blamed Isabella for making me think about those things.

"Nothing," my eyes widened. "Forget I mentioned it."

"Was I in the dream?" he tilted his head to the side. "I must know."

I cleared my throat. "I won't disclose anything."

His lips curled into a smirk. "I'll take that as a yes."

Holding a laugh, I rolled my eyes. Isabella threw supernatural blades on four more Knights, making them fall. Ettore still complained about the pain. Some enemies I had defeated woke up. San threw them at such a far distance that I couldn't see them anymore. Levitation did crazy things sometimes. I put myself back on the ground as Sandro accidentally made me float. Isabella dodged several blows and created a barrier around her.

"She's the Spell Guardian!" Ettore pointed at Isa. "Kill her now!"

She smiled defiantly. "Not so fast, little devils."

I gawked as Isabella turned her barrier into dozens of blades, severely injuring some KHW members. Despite controlling her powers better than Sandro, she made some mistakes. Isa flinched as she hit two magical swords on her own arms.

I quickly healed her bruises. "Keep going. Be more careful next time."

She nodded and continued using her magic. My body started sweating insanely since I had never used levitation for so long. Perhaps my father was right. Using my powers too often indeed caused me problems. Meeting Sandro had contributed as well. In the beginning, I was enjoying our dangerous friendship. Breaking the rules seemed appealing. If I hadn't realized we should talk less, I could be in more significant trouble.

Where's Dario?

While I fought my enemies, I thought of Ettore's cousin. Was Dario a KHW member too? Had Ettore hurt him? I didn't need more traitors in my life, especially a nice guy like Dario. Sometimes, it seemed there were more bad men in the world than good ones. My grandfather, San's dad, Ettore, and Pietro were the proof.

"After I kill the Unity, I'll eliminate all undesirable humans such as you and your Jewish friend. It'll be my pleasure to see you bleed while I turn the Dark Ages eternal," Ettore smiled like a maniac. "Dominus Aeternus."

I raised my brows. "Do you want a piece of advice?"

"Go ahead," he laughed. "Entertain me."

"If you want a plan to work, don't reveal it," my lips curled into a defiant grin. "It's every bad man's mistake. Especially the dumb ones."

Ettore tried to attack me with a sword. I dodged, kicked it from his hand, and punched him in the face. Despite my mean advice, every minute of that fight hurt me. Behind that smile, there were many tears. I couldn't help but think of everything Ettore and I had gone through. Besides believing in a false friendship, I let myself fall for a man that didn't exist.

If Ettore married that boring woman, I feel bad for her.

"Bring two stones!" Ettore ordered to his men. "It might break the Spell Guardian's magic."

Once they showed the second Tenebris, I felt slightly weak. However, it didn't stop Sandro or me to keep fighting. Ettore opened a portal, bringing more men after us. My legs trembled as I began to feel exhausted. San's eyes widened as his badge became visible again. He tried to fix the problem, but nothing changed. Even his invisibility magic wasn't working correctly. I swallowed hard, wondering who could help him.

"Time to die, little freak..." a KHW member whispered behind San.

My eyes bulged as I ran to Sandro. I levitated the blade, taking it away from the man. He grabbed another on the floor, but I dodged his blows and stabbed him in the stomach. His blood spread on the floor. I put a hand on my mouth since that was the first time I killed someone. The craziest part was I didn't regret it much. I'd eliminate anyone who threatened those I cared about.

"I almost got stabbed in the back. Literally," San wiped some sweat off his forehead. "Thank you for saving me."

"It's the least I could do after you called me amazing," I bit my lower lip as I felt my face flushing. "That was... polite."

"I wasn't trying to be kind," Sandro chuckled. "I just told that idiot the truth."

I smiled discreetly. Shaking my head, I expelled my silly emotions, or at least I tried. Sandro agreed our interactions were dangerous, but he kept attempting to make me happy... So strange! My head hurt as Ettore wouldn't stop sending more Knights through his portal. I had fought for so long I couldn't feel my arms. A self-healing session would be helpful later.

"Don't kill Valentina and her Jewish friend yet. I must find out which one is the Unity," Ettore glanced at his men. "Eliminate the Spell Guardian only!"

Isabella approached me. "Time for a wizard meeting."

A dark-green glow surrounded Isa's hands as she created a transparent barrier around the three of us. The KHW kept trying to break it, but all they caused were minor cracks. Each time they hit their swords on the barrier, it emitted a dark green light. I gulped when one of them almost broke it.

"These bread-heads won't stop anytime soon," Isa huffed. "Are we staying or running? Because I'm sick of them."

"What about the Master Source?" Sandro raised his brows. "Shouldn't we wait until he shows up?"

"Maybe he abandoned us," Isabella shrugged. "I wouldn't get near Ettore's hooded guys if I were him."

San sighed. "If the Master Source is indeed powerful, he shouldn't fear the Knights."

My best friend crossed her arms. "He's ill, so his power isn't that great."

"Any thoughts, Tina?" Sandro gazed at me. "I'm not sure what to do."

Breathing quickly, I thought about the situation. No decision seemed right. The KHW wouldn't stop harming Isa's barrier, giving me a headache. I had lost my faith in the Master Source. It didn't appear he would show up and save us, especially because he claimed to be sick. Perhaps a KHW man had killed the Master Source already.

I took a deep breath. "Let's get out of here."

Isabella nodded and turned her barrier into several blades. Once the Knights close to us fell, the three of us ran. My legs burned as I tried to stop the KHW from reaching me. When we turned right, I frowned. A small glowing circle opened. Was it from the Master Source? Or were the Knights trying to fool us? I was more confused than ever.

I walked closer to Sandro. "Should we go to that thing?"

"Are you seriously considering not going?" his eyes bulged as he grabbed me by the hand. "Jump!"

San entered the portal with me. Isabella followed us. Luckily, the magical door closed right before a KHW man could go through it. My dress suddenly changed, becoming dark orange. Isa's nun outfit turned into a beautiful royal blue dress. Sandro's dirty grey tunic and pants became brown while his badge vanished. Once I saw a vast white palace with some light brown stains, I gawked. It had several massive Corinthian columns, endless balconies, and statues of popes holding crosses.

"This is the Laterano," Isabella gaped while observing the structure. "We're in Rome!"

Sandro gulped. "This won't end well for me."

My friends and I observed two guards approaching us. They wore silver armors while carrying big spears. San wouldn't blink, apparently terrified. I hoped I wouldn't need to fight again.

A guard cleared his throat. "His Holiness Pope Matteo I wishes to see the three of you."

"I'm going to die," San whispered. "Shall we run?"

I elbowed Sandro and turned to the guards. "Take us."

The men led us to a large bright brown structure with many windows and a white arch near the door. I took several deep breaths, hoping the Inquisition hadn't caught us. The Knights were only a branch, but the two could be communicating. The guards opened a massive white and gold door before leaving. The bedroom was so large that my whole family could fit in it.

Where's the Master Source? What is happening?

A man with red and white papal robes approached us. There were many gold adornments on his clothes. He neither wore a hat nor held the pastoral staff. Surprisingly, he was young and seemed a few years older than me. He had light skin, blue eyes, and medium light-brown hair. His neck had a few bruises.

"I've shown my face," he smiled sweetly. "Now you know what the source of all magic looks like."

The Master Source is the pope? This is insane!

The supreme wizard froze once he laid eyes on Isabella. She swallowed hard. Sandro tilted his head to the side, seemingly trying to understand what was happening. I hoped the Master Source wouldn't harm her. My best friend slowly walked closer to him.

Isabella's eyes widened. "Guido? Is that you?"

"Yes," The pope nodded. "I haven't forgotten you, Isa."

Nothing made sense. Was the pope a wizard? What disease had he caught? Besides, only God knew where he knew Isabella from. My healing mission would be more challenging than I had anticipated. Although I couldn't read Sandro's mind, he probably felt the same. The Master Source had explained a few things, but many questions remained unanswered. 

****

Author's note: Now we know who betrayed Valentina. Will she ever recover from this? Why does Guido know Isa? Keep reading and you'll find out...

I dedicate this chapter to my dear friend UltimateGoodness123

Aesthetic: Before moving on, I'd love it if you checked out my aesthetic for Ettore. I chose Nico Mirallegro to represent him. As I said before, I'm just showing my vision, so don't feel forced to imagine Ettore the way I do. The aesthetic is right below.