I finally began controlling my powers. Without Tina, I would've done everything wrong. When it came to magic, I was jealous of Isa. How could she use hers efficiently before I did? Although talking to women wasn't a problem to me, summoning magic was different. I felt exposed and afraid. That afternoon, Valentina taught me interesting tricks to manipulate the spells. We were in that same supernatural garden. Sometimes, I wondered whether I'd leave Rome alive. It would be terrible if someone found out the Catholic pope had recruited a Jewish wizard to save him.

"You're using magic perfectly after a week of lessons," Tina nodded. "I'm impressed."

I winked. "That's because I have the best teacher."

"Really? I... I tried," she blushed subtly. "You aren't the worst student."

"How flattering," I sighed. "I have a question about the levitating spell."

Valentina glanced at a clock hanging on a tree. "You better be quick. Our time is almost up."

Are you serious? This lesson was way too fast!

I bit my lower lip while looking at the time. We'd have to return to Guido soon. It didn't make sense to have a magical clock in a garden, but I wasn't so surprised. The craziness only increased after I met Tina. The Knights, my powers, the Master Source... just to name a few. I needed to accept nonsense had become a part of my life.

I controlled myself not to smile. "Is it possible to levitate you and me?"

"You can try," Tina grinned discreetly. "It could be fun. I like doing crazy things."

"That makes two of us," the blue glow covered my hands. "Perhaps we aren't so different, after all."

She shrugged. "I guess."

Concentrating my powers on Tina and me, I felt my feet leaving the ground. The same happened to her. I wouldn't stop laughing. Valentina analyzed me, seemingly surprised I'd succeeded. I soared closer to her. Although I couldn't say it out loud, that levitation was my excuse to have some fun. I smiled so much that my cheeks hurt. When I was with Valentina, the KHW's chaos didn't matter. All I wanted was for time to go by slowly.

Valentina observed the sky. "I've never done this type of levitation."

"This is entertaining, except for the dangerous height," I gulped and felt my forehead sweating while looking down. "We've flown too high."

"I'm not fond of heights either," Tina pressed her lips together as she gazed at the bushes below us. "Let's come back down."

"I have a better idea. How about we do something to forget our fear?" I held out my hand to her while smiling. "Air dancing?"

She laughed softly. "You're out of your mind."

"We can practice spells then," I shrugged and gazed at the clock. "There's only five minutes left and..."

"Did you hear me saying no, San?" Tina's lips curled into a grin as she took my hand. "Less talking and more dancing."

Why does she have to be so wonderful?

Deep down, I knew I couldn't let my feelings for Valentina get stronger. However, my stupid heart didn't care. When I was with her, I felt warm inside. It was as if an invisible blanket embraced me. While we danced, my mind ignored the Knights. I led her into a turn and put my hands around Tina's waist. One of her hands was on my back while the other held my left hand. Sometimes we moved quickly, other times slowly. I wished that moment lasted forever.

"Where do you prefer to dance?" I slowly pulled Tina closer. "Air or ground?"

She looked deep into my eyes. "As long as I'm with you, both are great."

I smirked. "What happened to that speech? I thought you wanted to keep our interactions to a minimum."

"I... I don't..." she scowled. "Shut up!"

This woman is making me crazy.

Even though I couldn't see my cheeks, I felt them turning red. The Master Source was right. I had indeed fallen for Tina. My head begged me to let Valentina go because I could get in trouble. My heart, however, needed to tell her how I felt. I wasn't sure which one to listen to. Should I give up on her or take a chance on us? My head hurt as I led her into a turn, bringing her back close to my chest.

"Is everything alright?" Tina tilted her head to the side. "You seem pensive."

"I was just thinking about... about the Knights," I cleared my throat. "They seem determined to make our lives miserable."

"Let's concentrate on healing Guido," she floated closer. "We deal with them later."

I hate lying!

Although I felt worried about the KHW, I wasn't thinking about them. Someone else was on my mind... Someone I shouldn't have developed feelings for. Perhaps I should avoid Tina's company to forget her. However, the circumstances made us work together. Guido made it clear that the Unity had to heal him as a team. Besides, regardless of how hard I tried, I couldn't create excuses to stay away. I liked her and didn't know what to do. I was certain and yet unsure.

I held out my hand. "We should probably return to the garden."

She took my hand, giving me hot shivers. I took a deep breath as we stepped on the grass. Did I want to confess everything or let my fear defeat me? Although the answer seemed simple, it wasn't. Falling for someone was difficult. I thought I'd suppress and control my emotions if it happened, but I couldn't. I had underestimated the power of my crazy heart.

I sighed. "If we heal Guido and defeat the Knights, I'll drink a lot of beer."

Tina rubbed her neck. "What if we lose?"

"I'll do the same thing," I laughed nervously. "Will you join me, Tina?"

Valentina shrugged and grinned. "Maybe."

I put a strand of Valentina's hair behind her ear. At the same instant, the portal opened, and we went through it. Huffing, I couldn't believe we'd have to return. Even though I wanted to heal the Master Source, spending time with Tina was better. Once we arrived at Guido's huge room, Isa was there. She crossed her arms, glancing at the ground. Guido wouldn't stop looking at her. Isabella and the Master Source had been acting strangely since we arrived in Rome.

Something happened between these two.

Tina approached her best friend. "Is everything alright?"

"Of course! Why wouldn't it be?" Isabella smiled. "I'm enjoying this handsome pope's company."

The Master Source coughed. "Isa, it's natural to be upset."

"Nothing's wrong!" Isa interrupted. "I believe it's time for your healing session."

Isabella left in a hurry. Guido sighed, apparently bothered by something. I wasn't sure if Tina knew what Isa and the Master Source were hiding. I sat next to Guido's bed, ready to use my magic. I hoped I wouldn't disappoint him again. Every time I did something wrong, I remembered my dad's horrible reactions, which wasn't my idea of happiness.

"Let's hope Sandro is ready this time," Guido removed his face's sweat with a towel. "I've gotten worse over the week."

No pressure...

Once Guido entered his magical sleep, Valentina and I started working. Shutting my eyes, I searched for soul wounds. I prayed Guido's spirit wouldn't haunt me if I failed. He had more bruises than I'd thought. My eyes bulged as I saw a younger version of him tortured by the Knights. Guido screamed as some men ripped his back's skin with many knives.

I panted. "Stop!"

"What happened?" Valentina knitted her brows. "Are you hurt?"

"I think I saw one of Guido's memories," I tried to calm my breathing. "It was horrible!"

"It's the lessons! Practicing magic made you use your powers better," Tina grinned. "You're a better soul healer now."

"You shouldn't be happy," I shook my head in denial. "This is the opposite of delightful."

I wish I'd seen some of Tina's memories when I first tested my healing powers on her.

Unfortunately, I found more memories as I closed more of Guido's soul injuries. One of them made me gawk. He was a young man in Venice talking to Isabella. She wouldn't stop crying as he walked away. I healed the injury before seeing the end of that memory, making me frown since I hated unfinished stories. Some bruises released strange purple bubbles, creating other injuries. I struggled to mend all of them.

"I can't embarrass myself in front of this wizard again..." I whispered to myself.

That healing session seemed endless. I didn't think magic could exhaust someone, but I was wrong. My hands were sweaty, and my back hurt. The hours I spent in that bedroom seemed like years, mainly because Tina wouldn't speak. If we were talking, the process could've been less tiring. Luckily, I didn't see other memories as I healed other soul bruises. Perhaps not every wound was attached to a situation.

Almost there.

I sighed in relief when Guido woke up. Even if he criticized my magic again, at least I could rest a little. Despite the difficulty of that task, it was better than looking at my father's face every day. He loved disturbing me when I worked at the rag shop. I wondered if Roberto was suffering too much in Venice. After all, I had to leave my poor best friend alone to heal the Master Source.

"Great work! Now I must rest to absorb your healing magic," Guido closed his eyes. "I'll meet some cardinals soon, so we shall resume this later."

The Master Source fell asleep while an orange light moved around him like waves. Tina and I left the room. There were fewer guards in the large hallway than earlier, making my legs tremble less.

"It seems my teaching helped you," Valentina's lips curled into a discreet grin. "I'm feeling useful."

I nodded. "I must admit the lessons were great."

"The more we practice our magic, the better," Tina sighed. "Life is too short for us to avoid using our powers."

I raised my brow. "Why are you saying that?"

"I want to heal as many people as possible," she stared at her shoes. "After I die, I won't be able to help others anymore."

That's it!

My eyes widened as I realized the truth. Death was imminent for everyone, especially two wizards fighting mad swordsmen. What if I didn't survive our next encounter with the Knights? Or worse: Tina could get killed. Healing powers didn't work on dead people. Suddenly, the fear of the Church and my family vanished. My worries about marriage and love were nothing compared to death. If I remained quiet, Valentina would never know what was in my heart.

"San? Did you hear me?" Valentina frowned. "You seem distracted."

"That's because I am," I took a deep breath. "I need to tell you something."

Tina's mouth was half-open. Apparently, she was curious. Even though I knew the problems my following words would cause, I had to let them out. I didn't want to handle that torture anymore. I wouldn't forgive myself if she didn't know how I felt. Valentina didn't deserve to believe she scared men away. That was a huge lie.

"This has been on my mind for a long time," I caressed her hands. "I didn't know what to do about it, but now I do."

Valentina blinked fast. "Is it bad? Should I be worried?"

"Much to the contrary. I think this might make you happy," I walked closer while smiling. "Tina, the truth is I..."

A loud noise interrupted me. It seemed someone had broken several objects by making them fall. My eyes bulged, and Tina put both hands on her mouth. I hoped Isa and Guido were alright. Huffing, I wished that sound hadn't ruined my confession. I heard a stranger laughing, increasing my concern.

"That sound came from Guido's room," I pointed to the end of the hallway. "Let's go!"

"You didn't finish speaking," she looked deep into my eyes. "What did you want to say before the noise?"

"It can wait," I sighed while remembering the interruption. "I'll tell you another time."

Valentina nodded, and we ran to the Master Source's bedroom. Some vases and small sculptures were shattered on the floor. Isabella wasn't there. However, Guido still had company. I gawked as Ettore held a sword to his neck. Two cardinals were there. The crazy KHW leader had an evil grin on his face. Tina narrowed her eyes intensively. That was much worse to her than to me. After all, she once had feelings for Ettore... Unbelievable!

"We know the Master Source is sick," Ettore placed his blade closer to Guido's neck. "Our success weakens his immortality, so it'll be easier to kill him."

Tina ground her teeth. "I'll make you eat your sword!"

"Always speaking like a man, aren't you?" he chuckled. "You'll be alone forever. I feel sorry for you."

I scowled while conjuring my powers. "Shut your mouth, piece of..."

A cardinal showed the Tenebris, making me start sweating insanely. Valentina grimaced, apparently affected by that stone as well. The two clergy members removed their tunics, revealing a black cape with the KHW symbol. Both men said Dominus Aeternus while glaring at Tina and me.

"We have Knights in the clergy. Surprise!" Ettore smirked. "Time to give my story a happy ending."

Where's Isabella when we need her?

I sank my teeth into my lower lip, tasting my blood. A tear ran down Valentina's face. I wanted to comfort her, but I could barely move because of the Tenebris. That stone was larger than the one I saw in the KHW's prison. I wondered how Ettore found us and entered the residence. Perhaps he had been opening portals to get information from the cardinals. Besides invading the Laterano, Ettore had ruined my chance to confess my feelings. He deserved many punches in the face, to say the least.

****

Author's note: Will Sandro ever be able to confess his feelings? Is Guido going to survive? Keep reading and you'll find out... :-)

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