Paralyzed, I couldn't stop looking at the Master Source. Why would a powerful wizard join the Catholic Church? Guido took a massive risk by being a religious authority with powers. Besides, I wanted to know how Isabella and Guido knew each other. Honestly, I was afraid to ask. Isa always had the weirdest stories. Sandro gawked, apparently shocked like me. I wondered if that was a trap. Everything was too strange to be true. Ettore being the KHW leader, the Master Source's identity, Sandro healing souls, and let's not forget about my forbidden feelings.

"Guido Pellegrini! Who would've guessed?" Isa laughed nervously. "You indeed gave your heart to the Catholic Church."

The Master Source shrugged. "I thought it was my calling."

"Now I know why you never talked about your parents," Isabella narrowed her eyes. "An ancient mystical creature doesn't have them!"

"That's correct. An enchanted shooting star passed by the Tuscan sky five hundred years ago, releasing intense magical energy that formed a living being. From that day, being the Master Source became my destiny," Guido sighed. "You wouldn't have believed me if I had told you the whole story."

Isabella huffed and stared at the ground. Something seemed wrong. It was the first time she had acted that way in front of a man. The Isa I knew would've flirted with the guy, regardless of his clerical position. In addition, the pope didn't seem ill. What had forced him to ask for help? It didn't make sense for a magical creature from a shooting star to experience diseases.

I hope my best friend is alright.

Guido looked at the guards. "Please, leave us."

The men nodded and followed the pope's order. Isa gazed at Guido as if she'd seen a ghost. Sandro wouldn't blink, seemingly afraid someone could murder him. I wasn't going to say it out loud, but the dream hadn't been my only lie. When I fell on San, I didn't want to kill him. I desired something I wasn't allowed to think about.

I took a deep breath. "What would you like from us, Your Holiness?"

"The rise of the Knights has made me ill. Body and soul," the pope showed some large purple scars on his shoulder. "If this destroys my immortality, the Knights win."

San's eyes bulged. "How can immortality fade?"

"My magic comes from light. When darkness begins to dominate, my powers become weaker," the Master Source coughed. "Light is the only thing that can complete the Unity."

Sandro and I looked at each other, then back at the pope. I thought the Unity was already complete. Isa frowned, seemingly confused as well. I held my tears once I remembered Ettore's betrayal and harsh words. If he knew the same things Guido did, we were in serious trouble. The best way to defeat bad guys was to keep them misinformed.

"The Unity will be complete once I recover, become able to use magic again, and give you extra powers," Guido explained. "The levitation, invisibility, and forgetting spells are for defense. You two need attack magic."

Isabella crossed her arms. "What about me?"

"Your barriers are good enough for attack and defense," the Master Source raised his brows. "I'll only teach you how to use it more efficiently."

"I'm looking forward to it," my best friend blushed and chuckled softly. "You used to be good at teaching things."

This is making me crazy!

It wasn't enough to be religious and magical... The Master Source had to be a rule-breaker as well! My lips curled into a discreet smile. Despite all the problems, Guido's eccentricity entertained me. He wasn't like the other clergy members. Perhaps that explained why Isa may have gotten along with him in the past. Both didn't seem to care much about vows of chastity.

Sandro cleared his throat. "I'm sorry for asking this, but why would a wizard join the Catholic clergy?"

"At age eleven, I found out the Knights of the Holy Word were destined to be a secret branch of the Inquisition to spread darkness. That was before they even existed," Guido appeared to be recalling something. "Joining the Church was the easiest way to keep an eye on them. Besides, I'm religious. Can't a man believe in magic and Jesus Christ?"

"They probably hide spies in the clergy," I huffed. "Bad men always have informants."

"As far as I know, there are none," Guido wiped some sweat off his forehead. "We should start the healing process now. I can explain more things later."

Isabella approached the door. "I'll leave you three alone for that."

"Wait!" I pointed to the hallway. "Won't a woman walking around call the guards' attention?"

"I've used an illusion spell. Since you three have powers, it only made you believe your clothes became different," the pope chuckled. "The guards, however, think the three of you are male doctors."

I raised a brow. "This doesn't change the fact that Isa shouldn't stay in the hall alone."

"You've read my mind. That's why I was about to suggest for Isabella to stay on the Basilica's balcony," Guido explained. "My men can take her there."

"I know where it is," Isa narrowed her eyes at the pope. "Staying in this room with you isn't pleasant anyway."

Isabella doesn't seem to like Guido a lot.

Isa stared at Guido for a while before she left. Even though my best friend seemed fine at first, it appeared she had become more hostile. The Master Source bit his lower lip sharply while lying on his bed. He was probably upset about something. I hoped Isabella and Guido hadn't had an ugly quarrel in the past. That would make things even worse.

"I don't know how much time I have," the pope coughed some blood. "I'll induce myself to sleep. Please, begin."

Gulping, I put a hand on Guido's chest. Sandro touched the pope's arm. Closing my eyes, I unleashed my magic. The purple glow on my hands felt more potent than ever. San most likely experienced the same with his blue one. The Master Source's internal wounds were unusual. They spread quickly through his organs, reaching the chest, abdomen, and back. I concentrated my powers on the inner and outer skin of his stomach, where the situation seemed worst.

This healing process doesn't look too tricky.

I began healing the internal injury once my purple rays got close enough to it. The mysterious bruise exploded. I gulped as multiple bubbles formed, making new injuries. Luckily, I destroyed them before the wounds became too large. Although I heard a strange noise, I kept working. My magic began failing as an orange light approached my eyes. I screamed as it burst on my face like a thousand pieces of glass. Opening my eyes, I felt dizzy.

Sandro knitted his brows. "Are you alright, Tina?"

"Mostly," I tried to control my breathing. "Just a little scared."

I gaped as the same orange light surrounded the Master Source. He woke up slowly as if a new spirit had entered his body. Sandro summoned his powers. I did the same, hoping Guido wasn't about to do something evil. After Ettore's betrayal, nothing else could surprise me.

The pope rubbed his eyes. "You aren't ready."

"What? I've been a healer for years!" my eyes bulged. "Did I do something wrong?"

"Don't worry," Guido pointed at San. "I was talking about him."

Sandro rolled his eyes. "Great! I feel wonderful!"

I must admit Guido is right.

San had shown dedication in using his powers, but he couldn't manipulate them as I did. He lost control easily. Although I didn't know how he used magic in the Master Source, it wasn't impossible something went wrong. I wanted to hug Sandro as he kept staring at his boots. I'd be upset if I were in his position.

"When you tried to heal my soul, you let your magic do whatever it wanted," the Master Source looked deep into San's eyes. "You must dominate your powers, not the other way around."

Sandro sighed. "I don't know how to correct that mistake."

"She does," Guido looked at me. "I created and unleashed the Unity's magic, but I've never used it. Valentina has known those powers since she was a child."

I scowled. "What are you trying to say?"

The pope looked at San again. "You'll teach Sandro how to bend his magic to his will."

Anything but this!

Sandro grinned coyly, apparently enjoying the situation. I breathed quickly since Guido had just ruined my plans to avoid San. If I wanted to suppress my feelings, I couldn't teach Sandro. That meant more hours with him and, consequently, a higher risk of my heart pounding. Dancing, almost kissing twice, and falling on top of him were more than enough to mess with my mind. I prayed the teaching experience would make me dislike San.

"Are you sure, Your Holiness?" I forced a smile. "You know much more about the Unity."

"It has to be you. I must heal before using magic normally again," Guido opened a portal. "Your magic will be stronger in my illusion. When you're done, just call my name."

Taking a deep breath, I crossed the portal with Sandro. We landed in a massive garden. The sky was slightly orange, reminding me of a sunset. It had many bushes and small trees. Its flowers had many different shapes. Some were purple, while others were blue, probably representing my magic and Sandro's. Those colors always showed up on our hands and arms when we used our powers.

"I'm nervous and yet excited," San raised a brow. "How is this possible?"

"I also have that sensation sometimes," I rubbed my neck. "Emotions are strange."

He chuckled. "The only constant feeling I have is hunger."

"I feel the exact same," I laughed softly. "However, hunger isn't a feeling or emotion. It's a need."

"Maybe," Sandro shrugged. "If I didn't have to learn magic, I'd be having a huge meal right now."

"That reminds me of a roasted pork I once had," my eyes gleamed. "So amazing..."

"Jews don't eat pork, so I can't relate," he explained. "My favorite food is swordfish."

Swordfish? No way!

I gawked. How did Sandro know the dish of my childhood? My grandmother cooked it for me all the time. Unfortunately, she died when I was seven. There was nothing more Sicilian than swordfish, maybe except for squid ink spaghetti. That food was one of my few pleasant childhood memories.

"Are you kidding? That's my favorite as well!" my lips curled into a face-wide smile. "I didn't know you had tried Sicilian food."

"My mother's Sicilian friend cooks swordfish," he walked closer. "When we leave Rome, I'll take you to eat it. It'd be a taste of home for you."

I approached him. "We could drink beer while eating it."

"Swordfish with beer... A deliciously wrong combination," Sandro nodded while grinning. "I like it."

I chuckled. "Wouldn't it be beautifully imperfect?"

I need to stop this, but I don't want to. My God!

We laughed loudly. San and I found a way to have fun together despite all the problems. My smile faded once I realized I was falling into my feelings' trap. Nothing dangerous happened, but I couldn't make that mistake again... Was it a mistake? Every moment I spent with Sandro seemed so right! I shook my head, attempting to concentrate on teaching magic.

"Let's begin our lesson. The first step to dominating your powers is using them without seeing anything," I took a deep breath. "Try levitating me with your eyes closed."

"Really?" San wrinkled his nose. "I don't like closing my eyes. It makes me feel lost."

"Honestly, I get the same feeling," a shiver ran down my spine as I recalled my nightly walks. "I hate the dark. Especially when I'm alone."

Sandro's eyes widened. "Me too. Darkness is terrifying."

"That's why I must help you. We can't let the Dark Ages last forever," I swallowed hard while remembering Guido's words. "Regardless of how much I like talking to you."

San smirked. "Did you just say you enjoy my company, beautiful?"

I hoped I hadn't blushed. "Do what I told you. Please."

He nodded. I bit my lower lip, praying he wouldn't throw me somewhere after the levitation. It could happen when a wizard used the levitation spell. Sandro slowly made my feet leave the ground, leading me to soar. I smiled, proud of his initial success. Although I was nervous at first, it felt good to fly for a while.

"Well done!" I nodded. "Now, bring me back. Keep your eyes closed."

"Too bad," Sandro chuckled. "I like looking at you."

"So do I," I cleared my throat. "I mean... Thank you!"

I desperately need to shut up!

San gently put me on the floor. I landed too close to him, so I took a step back. He grinned, apparently happy with his triumph. I shook my head, trying to stop looking into his eyes. Jesus, his smile made me crazy! It was getting in the way of my teaching session.

"Let's go to the next spell," I put his hands on my shoulders. "Make me invisible. Concentrate all your powers on my body."

He laughed nervously. "That last sentence was ... slightly funny."

Isa was right. Men are childish.

I rolled my eyes. The invisibility spell was more challenging for San because he redid it three times. Gradually, he learned the art of dominating magic. I also taught him some fight moves. Even though I attempted to avoid it, we talked during the class many times. I walked with Sandro in the hallway once we returned to the Laterano. He continued our conversation.

"So, you'd collect sculptures if you became rich..." Sandro rubbed his chin. "I'd do that too. Sculptures are the best type of art."

"Agreed. That's why I chose them for my false wealthy life," I sighed. "Anyway, I'll see how Isa is doing. We shall meet at Guido's room."

San nodded. "Alright. I hope she's fine."

Me too...

I observed my best friend as I arrived at the Basilica's balcony. The sky was dark already. She wouldn't stop staring at her hands, apparently concerned. I wondered if the Master Source had done something to her in the past. Isabella didn't deserve to suffer.

"Remember when I told you I had only fallen in love once?" Isa squeezed her eyes shut. "It was for Guido."

I tilted my head to the side. "When did that happen?"

"I was fourteen. My family introduced me to a wealthy sixteen-year-old from Florence. I wish I knew he was five hundred years old," Isabella's lips curled into a weak smile. "Guido and I were inseparable from the day we met. Two years later, he broke up with me and left Venice to study in Rome to become a priest."

"I'm so sorry," I caressed her back. "Do you still love him?"

"Maybe. Three months after Guido left, I found out I was pregnant. I never told him," Isabella wiped away a tear. "My parents were so ashamed they hid me in the house for a year. I didn't want to marry the man they chose to save my reputation, so they bribed some clergy members to make me a nun."

Poor Isa.

I gawked. How could Isa never tell me she had a baby? I didn't know that was the real reason she disappeared for a year. She told me her parents punished her for being promiscuous, and that wasn't the whole truth. I couldn't believe my best friend had hidden that from me.

"I thought they had taken you to the convent because they wanted a nun in the family," I knitted my brows. "What happened to your child?"

"That wasn't the main reason why they made me become a nun. I had to give my daughter away because of them," Isa pursed her lips as if she wanted to punch someone in the face. "Bastards!"

"I can't believe your parents did this," I shook my head in denial and wished I could punish Isabella's family. "I'm sure your daughter is happy, Isa. Wherever she is."

"I don't mind being banished for having fun with men. All I want is to enjoy life," Isabella put both hands on her face. "I lost who I loved the most. Nothing matters anymore."

I hugged my best friend. "Come here."

Isabella sobbed as she returned the embrace. I closed my eyes, unable to believe I couldn't help my best friend. No one deserved to go through that horrible experience. Regardless of how many years passed by, she would never forget her child. After staying with her for a while, I returned to the Master Source's room and began healing him with Sandro. I felt tempted to tell Guido about the baby, but I didn't. I had to respect my best friend's secret.

****

Author's note: Valentina found out Isabella's secret and helped Sandro with his magic. What consequences will this secret bring? Are Valentina and Sandro continuing to deny their feelings? Keep reading and you'll find out...