My heart was beating so quickly I thought I had stopped breathing. If Ettore had fallen for me, why did he tie me to a chair? How could he say those cruel things? My head hurt as I tried to think. Ettore wouldn't stop staring. Surprisingly, he neither shot me an angry stare nor smiled evilly. It was as if my childhood friend had returned. It seemed the man I used to love was back. However, I was skeptical. The KHW leader needed more than words to convince me. If Ettore lied once, nothing stopped him from doing it again.

"I don't understand," I laughed nervously. "How can you have feelings for me?"

"Honestly, I've had them since the day we met," Ettore sighed. "After joining the Knights, I wanted to make them disappear, but I couldn't."

"Why didn't you tell me the truth earlier?" I scowled. "You knew how I felt about you!"

"Because I thought it'd go away," he glanced at the wall. "I underestimated the power of my stupid feelings."

Is this a hallucination?

I gawked, unsure of what to say next. My life wouldn't stop becoming crazier. Could Ettore be fooling me? I didn't know if I should believe him. Especially after he attempted to kill the people I cared about. Regardless of his emotions, it didn't seem he wanted redemption. If he kept showing no regret for being a Knight, I would never be his friend again.

"Ettore, if this is a mean joke, I swear I'll smash you like a bug! With or without the Tenebris!" I ground my teeth. "As you know, I always find a way."

"I'm sorry for saying those horrible things to you," the KHW leader rubbed his neck. "I didn't mean any of them."

I narrowed my eyes. "What about the offensive things you told my friends?"

He shot me a confused gaze. "I'm not sure what you mean."

"Do you regret attacking Sandro, Isabella, and Guido?" I breathed quicker than before. "It's a simple question."

Ettore froze. I chuckled softly. My enemy could say whatever he wanted, and I'd still think of him as a crazy murderer. If Ettore had confessed his feelings a few months ago, perhaps I would've become his lover. However, I'd never be with a man who hated people because they were different. Besides, it was too late. My heart belonged to someone else. Somebody that was above Ettore in every aspect.

Ettore doesn't deserve a second chance. Liking me won't change a thing.

"Why does it matter?" he laughed nervously. "I just confessed I love someone I was supposed to hate! Isn't that enough?"

"You're out of your mind!" I decreased my tone of voice. "This makes no sense."

"Listen, Val, you don't need those three idiots to be happy," Ettore touched my hands. "You have me. The man you've always loved."

I didn't want Ettore to know I had fallen for Sandro. Not because I feared hurting my enemy's feelings. I just didn't want him to freak out and do something terrible. He had shown his unpredictability multiple times. How could I feel good near a guy who wouldn't hesitate to hurt my friends? Besides, I'd lie if I said I wanted to be with Ettore. He lost my heart a long time ago.

"What about the things you said at your uncle's pottery store?" I frowned. "Do you still think I should change my personality?"

"Only a few things. Who doesn't need some adjustments?" the KHW leader chuckled. "That isn't important when you truly like somebody."

I controlled myself not to roll my eyes. "Sure..."

I shook my head in denial. Ettore was unbelievable. Besides thinking I wouldn't mind his hatred towards the people I liked, he thought I was fine with his stupid observations. I didn't need a man who wanted to fix me. I wouldn't change, even if it meant having fewer friends.

My enemy pressed his lips together. "I have a proposition."

My lips curled into a sarcastic smile. "Can't wait to hear it!"

"If you marry me, my men will stop chasing you," Ettore approached me. "We can lead the Knights together."

Ettore is indeed crazy.

I couldn't help but gape. There was no way I'd marry that maniac. I felt nauseous only with the thought of him touching me. I didn't want to go to bed with that guy... How disgusting! I would rather die than let that bastard take away my freedom. However, I didn't know what to do. What if that was the only way of escaping him? My hands trembled as I tried to think.

I bit my lower lip. "What about my friends and Bianca?"

"I'll find a family for Bianca. Unfortunately, neither of your friends can survive," he explained. "To spare you, I'll tell my soldiers Sandro is the Unity. They already know Isabella is the Spell Guardian."

Swallowing hard, I prayed Jesus brought me a solution. My chin trembled as I imagined Sandro, Isabella, and Guido deceased. Could Ettore kill all of them? I didn't want to think about it. Sweat flooded my neck. The man I wanted to be with, my best friend, and the wizard I healed... All dead. There had to be a way out.

"You think I didn't know you and Sandro are the Unity?" Ettore let out a scary laugh. "I'm smarter than you think."

I felt tempted to bare my teeth, scream, and step on Ettore's foot. My entire life, I let my impulses control me. I could lead my friends to death if I listened to myself too much. For the first time, I had to be strategic. Looking deep into my enemy's creepy eyes, I didn't blink.

"Indeed," I forced a smile. "Your intelligence is one of the reasons I fell for you."

"I regret hiding my feelings because I didn't want to love a half-Muslim," Ettore slapped himself on the forehead. "How could I let pride dominate my mind?"

You can do it, Valentina. Fool this idiot!

My cheeks hurt as I kept smiling. God, that was killing me! If lying could murder someone, I would've died at that moment. A shiver ran down my spine as Ettore kissed my left cheek... No, it wasn't a good shiver. My legs trembled as if they were desperate to make me run.

"You woke up now," I controlled myself not to curse. "That's what matters."

"I love your sweetness," the idiot sighed. "Does that mean you'll marry me?"

I took a deep breath. "Yes. I've always wanted to be your wife."

I almost puked after saying those words. My feelings for Ettore were so dead they couldn't even become a ghost. I tried not to tremble as he walked closer with a knife. Thankfully, he used it to cut the rope and set me free. I got up, wishing I could smirk. The poor bastard had no idea trouble awaited him.

"That's wonderful news," Ettore stroked my cheeks. "Again, I'm sorry for pretending to hate you. I feel terrible."

I hoped that torture would end soon. "I forgive you."

"I'm so relieved!" my enemy sighed. "Are you sure you're fine with your friends perishing?"

"Honestly, those people have never done much to make me happy," my lips curled into a sweet smile. "Besides, they're nothing compared to you."

Thank you for teaching me seduction skills, Isa. I never thought I'd use them.

Ettore's eyes gleamed. Apparently, he believed my lies. I hated saying those horrible things, but I had no choice. That seemed to be the only way to save Sandro, Isabella, and Guido. Regardless of what Ettore did, I'd find a way. I took a deep breath to avoid losing control and yelling.

"I can't believe you're finally mine," Ettore licked his lips. "Accept this as a sign of trust, my princess."

He opened the door and put the Tenebris stone away. The tiredness vanished as my powers returned like a quick stream. I took his hand, left the room, and walked to a hallway. It wasn't easy to keep my body from trembling. There weren't many guards nearby, so it probably wouldn't be hard to get rid of Ettore. Taking a deep breath, I thought of a strategy. Without the stupid stone, I could throw Ettore and his idiots against the wall with my magic.

I smiled coyly. "When are we getting married, handsome?"

"I'm glad you asked," he walked towards a door. "There's something I'd like to do first."

I raised a brow once Ettore took me to a large dark room. A small Tenebris was on the corner, near a wall. Perhaps he didn't trust me as much as he had claimed. Endless shivers ran down my spine when my enemy shut the door. I puffed out my chest, trying not to show fear.

I swallowed hard. "What is this?"

"Since you're so committed to me, I thought you wouldn't mind taking the next step in our relationship," Ettore grinned. "You have no idea how much I desire you."

My back was flooded with sweat while my eye twitched. I prayed he wouldn't notice my legs were shaking. I wanted to run as he walked closer. Could my friends have escaped already? Where were they? Despite not being close to a big Tenebris, I didn't have all my powers to defend myself. I took several deep breaths, trying not to panic.

"It seems a little early for this," I gulped. "Shouldn't we get married first?"

"Come on," he pulled me closer by the waist. "We both know you've always hated following the rules."

Ettore shut his eyes and aggressively pressed his lips against mine. It seemed that crazy man wanted to swallow me. I thought I'd feel something when the man I once loved kissed me, but I was wrong. That kiss made me feel nothing but an urge to get rid of him and puke. I breathed quicker as he slid his hand down my back. Although I tried to levitate my enemy, nothing happened.

Remember what your father said. Don't look at the stone.

I closed my eyes, concentrating my magic on that idiot's body. Ettore screamed, and I heard a loud noise. I no longer felt him touching me. Smiling, I opened my eyes. The trick had worked. My wonderful father's advice saved my life. I succeeded in throwing my enemy against the wall. Ettore shot me such a furious glare I thought I would stop breathing.

"How dare you refuse my love?" he ground his teeth. "Nobody can say no to me! Much less a dumb Moor like you!"

"Offensive words? Seriously?" I scowled. "Have your feelings for me disappeared already?"

"I'll always be superior to you in our relationship," the idiot grabbed his sword. "The quicker you accept this, the better."

I bared my teeth. "I'll cut you in a thousand pieces!"

What does Ettore feel for me? Love or obsession?

My enemy screamed as he ran towards me. I took a deep breath, closed both eyes, and made the trick work again. He flinched. I grimaced while opening the heavy door. Panting, he got up with difficulties.

Ettore frowned. "You don't love me anymore, do you?"

I narrowed my eyes. "What do you think?"

Running like a crazy woman, I opened every door I could find. Some guards attacked me, but I set them on fire. When I turned right, more men showed up. I levitated my enemies and made them crash against the wall. Another one tried to punch me in the face, but I dodged. I sighed in relief as I found Sandro in a room. I stole the sword of a fallen Knight, set San free, and kissed him.

"Thank God you're alive!" I panted as my forehead touched Sandro's. "Are you alright?"

"Yes," San planted a peck on my cheek. "I was so worried! Did they hurt you?"

"I didn't let them," I held my tears as I remembered Ettore could've raped me. "Do you know where these maniacs are keeping our friends and their kid?"

"I think I saw where they went," Sandro took my hand. "Follow me."

I could barely breathe as my man and I ran in the hallways. Using our powers, we fought several guards. San almost got stabbed again. Luckily, he dodged all his opponent's attempts and threw fire on him. The guy grimaced and wouldn't stop screaming. The wooden door caught fire as well. I smiled as we found Isa, Guido, and Bianca in nearby rooms. Like her parents, Bianca had blue eyes, light skin, and dark brown hair.

"What's happening?" Bianca knitted her brows. "The crazy kidnappers told me a nun and Pope Matteo I are my real parents! This is a joke, right?"

Isa kissed her daughter's head. "We'll explain everything later."

Guido's eyes bulged as more Knights approached. "Get behind your mother, Bianca!"

The girl followed his orders. "Who are those bread-brains coming for us?"

"Inventing words?" Sandro chuckled. "She really is Isa's child."

San, Isabella, and I laughed. My best friend created a barrier around Bianca and herself. I gawked as Guido used impressive magic against the KHW. He made colossal water waves, conjured fire, and created massive blades. That man clearly wasn't the Master Source for nothing. Sando avoided multiple stabbing attempts before throwing fire on four enemies. I kicked two men between the legs and made them crash against a door. Their blood stained the wood.

Will we escape this place?

"Keep them busy!" Guido's hands had an intense orange light around them. "I'll get us out of here."

When a man was about to attack me, Guido's big shiny circle swallowed the five of us. I sighed in relief. No enemy arrived with us at the Laterano. Isabella tried to explain the truth to Bianca, but the child didn't seem to believe her. She was stubborn like her mother.

"We should rest. It's the best way to prepare ourselves for their next attack," Guido walked closer to his bedroom. "Ettore and the KHW won't give up."

"No one is answering my questions," Bianca crossed her arms. "I need explanations."

Isa took Bianca to a guest room. "We'll talk more tomorrow, darling."

I blinked fast as I kept remembering Ettore's attempt. San analyzed me, apparently worried, while we walked towards our rooms. I wish our bedrooms weren't so far away from Guido's. I didn't like to walk a lot when I felt tired. Sweat dripped from my forehead as Ettore didn't leave my mind. Even though I stopped him in time, that horrible moment would haunt me forever.

"Did something happen?" Sandro put an arm around me. "You seem troubled."

"Ettore tried to rape me," my chin trembled. "It was horrible."

San froze. For an instant, I thought he would say something I didn't want to hear... Well, he wasn't like the other guys, was he? Instead, Sandro caressed my shoulders, trying to calm me down as I panted. Nothing on his facial expression indicated anger.

"Bastard!" San looked deep into my eyes. "Are you injured?"

I shook my head in denial. "I stopped Ettore before anything happened."

"I'll destroy him if he threatens you again," Sandro gave me a quick kiss on the lips. "Wake me up if you need anything, Tina. I'm just a wall away."

Maybe I will.

I nodded, entered my bedroom, and put my crucifix necklace on a nightstand. Although the bed in Guido's guest room was comfortable, it wasn't enough to put me at ease. Would Ettore attack me again? Was Isa's daughter alright? Should I tell Sandro my feelings for him had become stronger? My body was so sweaty I couldn't breathe right. Those endless questions wouldn't let me sleep. Hopefully, I would make the correct decisions. 

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Author's note: Will Ettore attack Valentina again? What else does he have in store for our main characters? Keep reading and you'll find out... :-)