After healing some people, I went to a tavern. I was glad Mr. Fenaroli didn't open the shop that day. My head wouldn't let me forget the crazy things that'd happened. The nightmare about my father's assassination, Ettore's stupid lover, the mysterious hooded man... and, of course, Sandro. I couldn't believe I had danced with him at St. Mark's Square. Three days had gone by since that strange and yet fun event. Unnecessary attention, pressure from my family, a threat to Shadow... None of those consequences affected me. All I did was sigh and smile, wishing it happened again. My impulsiveness wasn't as bad as I had thought.

I sipped my beer. "My life will never be normal."

I frowned as four men approached me. Rolling my eyes, I put my glass on the table. They glared, but I didn't blink. Certain people smelled fear, so I couldn't take any chances. I stared at a wall, pretending I didn't care about the strangers. Two guys crossed their arms while the others wrinkled their noses. For some reason, some people loved to disturb my peace... or holy peace, as Isa would say.

Why me?

A man leaned on my table. "What would a woman be doing in this place?"

The other guy had a cruel smirk on his face. "You're asking for trouble, dear."

I pointed to the left. "If you want a drink, the server is inside."

When the problem wasn't my face or powers, it was my gender. I couldn't take it anymore. As if nothing was happening, I kept drinking. One of the idiots huffed, apparently annoyed I didn't show cowardice. I looked away to avoid more problems. Still, that group stayed there. I narrowed my eyes as they walked closer.

I huffed intensively. "Can't a woman drink some beer in peace?"

"A ridiculous lady like you should learn a lesson," a tall guy walked around my table. "You're coming with us."

"Leave!" I stood up. "Otherwise, I'll break beer glasses on your head and kick you between the legs!"

One man threatened to grab a knife. Hiding my hand, I felt the magic coming, ready to send that group away. I looked in every direction, counting how many witnesses I'd need to enchant later. The men kept shooting me icy stares, but I didn't move. Although I trusted my powers, my legs trembled. I didn't want to find out what they wanted to do to me. It would be a mistake to underestimate those strangers.

A fifth man cleared their throat. "Excuse me, gentlemen."

The strangers walked to the right, allowing me to see who was behind them. I couldn't hold a chuckle. I thought I was the most stubborn person in the world, but perhaps not. Sandro hadn't given up on me. At least not until that moment. He wore a black vest on top of his beige tunic, and his badge was gone. Somehow, my crazy dance invitation hadn't steered him away.

Sandro walked around the group. "I wouldn't bother this lovely woman if I were you."

"Really?" one aggressor got so close to Sandro that their noses almost touched. "Why should we be afraid of you?"

"Because my father watches everything," Sandro smirked. "Everyone fears him, and so should you."

The other man scowled. "What do you mean?"

"I know what you did. All of it," Sandro shot the men a defiant stare. "If you go away, I won't tell my dad anything."

This will end in broken bones...

The men looked at each other then back at Sandro. I gulped and breathed heavily when the tallest of the strangers dilated his nostrils. He walked closer to Sandro with a clenched fist. I summoned my magic again, hoping no one decided to use violence.

The tall man took a step back. "Let's go."

"Good decision," Sandro grabbed a beer glass from an empty table. "Testing my patience would be a mistake."

I gawked as the men left. Only Jesus knew how Sandro managed to send the idiots away. Although I didn't know him well, I had a feeling he had fooled them. Perhaps I'd underestimated his ability to lie. He winked, and I couldn't hide my smile.

Sandro sat next to me. "Are the lady and her beer alright?"

"We're fine," I shook my head in denial while chuckling. "There was no need to defend me. I can handle myself."

He raised a brow. "Why did you want to deal with four men on your own, Tina?"

"I like showing my powers," I shot him a provocative gaze. "What about you?"

"I enjoy feeling useful," he sighed while observing me. "Especially in front of beautiful women."

"I... I'm not falling for this," I cleared my throat. "Compliments won't make me like you."

"I see," Sandro rubbed his chin while smiling mischievously. "What if I danced with you again? Would that work?"

I must change the subject!

Feeling my cheeks becoming rosy, I wanted to hide. I pressed my lips so firmly together I thought I was freaking out. Sandro didn't take his eyes off me, seemingly expecting a response. What was the deal with that man? Why did he make me stutter like an idiot? Maybe Sandro was a disguised witch. I wouldn't be surprised if he were involved with witchcraft. That was the only explanation for my strange behavior.

I glanced at his vest. "How did you get rid of the badge?"

"I hid that stupid thing," he showed the yellow circle under his vest. "My parents will be angry, but I don't care."

My lips curled into a discreet smile. "Breaking the rules is always fun."

"Exactly!" he sighed. "Besides, people treat me better when I hide it."

"The same happens when I don't use my magic," I glanced away while remembering my encounters with aggressors. "Isn't that surprising?"

We laughed for a while. For people like Sandro and me, laughter was the only way to avoid tears. Drinking helped as well, especially some great beer. We could do nothing to change our fates, so having fun was the only option.

"I must ask you something," I looked in every direction to make sure others wouldn't hear anything. "Is your father really that powerful?"

"No way!" Sandro shook his head in denial. "I lied to make those idiots stop disturbing you."

I pushed my empty glass away. "What if they hadn't believed your story?"

"I would've taken you by the hand and ran," he glanced at my arms. "A brilliant strategy."

My smile faded when I looked at the wall near the table behind Sandro. Two men wearing the same golden symbol and black cape glared at me as if I was prey. I drank such a long sip of beer I thought I'd choke. Sandro frowned, apparently confused by my startled facial expression. The guys walked away. Even though I wanted to feel relieved, I couldn't. There was a good chance they had left to call more men. I couldn't let them catch me.

Who are these strangers? This is making me crazy!

"I'm a little tired of this place," Sandro turned to me. "Shall we leave?"

"You read my mind," I tried not to remember the creepy strangers. "Where to, San?"

"We could..." he tilted his head to the side. "Did you just give me a nickname?"

"Don't make a big deal about it," I glanced at the ground. "It's only because you gave me one. Consider it an act of revenge."

"Revenge? Seriously?" Sandro gazed at me provocatively. "I'll pretend I believe you."

Hesitantly, I followed him. My hands were so sweaty that I rubbed them on my dress three times. Was the cause my fear of spending more time with a man I barely knew or something else? Perhaps a mix of multiple things. I looked back while chewing on my lip. My mind wouldn't stop wondering if the hooded men were following us.

"Why don't you tell me about yourself?" San fixed his gaze on my eyes. "For example, how did you get your powers?"

I tried not to recall the bad memories. "I don't have an answer for the second question, but I could tell you a few things."

Although I didn't reveal everything about myself to Sandro, he seemed interested in what I described. He also shared some facts about him, such as how he disagreed with his dad's attitude towards his mom. I strongly disliked men that treated women as inferior as well. My hair fluttered with the wind as we walked around St. Mark's Square. I didn't see time pass by. We talked for so long that the night came. My eyes gleamed as we observed the green and the blue Adriatic Sea. I loved how that beautiful body of water was below all of Venice.

"We have no siblings, dislike stupid rules, like walking around, get approached by idiots..." he chuckled softly while looking at the starry sky. "You and I are more similar than I thought."

I remembered our moment at the square. "Let's not forget we also enjoy dancing."

"I have more in common with a Catholic woman than anybody else," Sandro said. "Isn't this funny?"

"Yes, but not impossible to believe," I sighed. "I share more things with a Jewish man than other people I know. That makes us even."

He laughed. I closed my eyes for a moment as the ocean breeze became more intense. Nothing but San mattered to me that night. I wanted to rest my head on his shoulder, but I couldn't move. What if that seemed impulsive? We were criminals just for spending time together! If I touched him, my heartbeat could become quicker than it already was. Sandro would be in more trouble than me if the authorities caught him with a Catholic woman.

"Unfortunately, I must go," Sandro grinned sweetly. "When may I see you again?"

"Meeting after Easter would be the best option," I hesitantly took a step back. "The Holy Week starts tomorrow."

"Good point. A Jew shouldn't be near St. Mark's Square during Holy Week. I'd be asking for trouble," he winked and walked away. "Enjoy the rest of your night, Tina."

I waved goodbye. "You too, San."

Those nicknames are so silly and yet extremely adorable!

When he left, I sighed. My lips curled into such a broad smile that I thought my face would burst. I hadn't grinned that much since... Never? Walking back home, I wouldn't stop thinking of the good time I'd had with Sandro. Although he seemed weird when we first met, I no longer saw him that way. I hoped he'd keep being nice. That could be the beginning of a beautiful and yet forbidden friendship.

Did he get home safely?

Once I heard screams, my smile disappeared. I gaped as Isa ran to me. Like every night, she wore a long-sleeved red dress instead of her nun outfit. Her face had bleeding scratches, her right sleeve was torn, and her neck had two injuries. She also had a black eye. I had to find out who was the bastard who'd hurt my best friend.

Isabella limped. "Crazy men! They were violent! I... I..."

"Breathe," I held her hands. "Come with me."

I helped Isa walk to my home. Luckily, my mom and Pietro were asleep. I helped Isabella lay down on my bed, sat next to her, and placed my hands close to her face. She breathed heavily while I felt her bruises. Releasing my purple glow, I slowly restored her skin and ruptured veins.

I knitted my brows. "What happened?"

"Three bread-heads in black hoods kidnapped me. They beat me for almost an hour in an empty house," Isa's hands trembled. "There was a gold symbol on their capes. Crossed swords and a chalice, I think."

Unbelievable! What do they want?

I started panting once I recalled the stranger in the alley and the men near the tavern's wall. Targeting Sandro and me made sense because the Catholic Church didn't like us, but Isa? That was insane! There was no good reason for her to be their victim.

"They asked your real name many times," Isabella glanced at my healing glow. "I said I didn't know, but they hurt me anyway."

"Did they rape you?" I ground my teeth while trying to imagine what could've happened to Isa. "If yes, I'll kill each and every one of them!"

She shook her head in denial. "Only a punch and some ugly knife injuries."

I closed two of Isa's facial wounds. "Have you found out anything about them?"

"I heard they want to stop the new order. Whatever that stupid thing means." Isabella gazed at the ceiling while biting her lower lip. "There was also something about a mystical legend, but they didn't explain it further. Everything happened fast."

I finished healing her arms. "How did you escape?"

Isa giggled. "I seduced the man they ordered to watch me."

"What a surprise!" I chuckled and helped her get up. "I'll take you to the convent. The dangerous group can still be out there."

"While we walk, is there something you'd like to share?" Isabella winked. "New information always heals me."

I sighed. "Well, I saw Sandro again."

I told her everything. Isa was incredibly excited about the dance part. After returning home, I couldn't sleep. All I thought was the mysterious group who had abducted my best friend. New order? Mystical legend? I needed answers! Trying to forget those maniacs, I recalled my day with Sandro. The happiness he gave me was a blessing. However, it seemed to be a curse too. After all, it was dangerous for a Catholic and a Jew to enjoy each other's company. Like my powers, that situation was a blessed curse. 

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Author's note: Who are the men that kidnapped Isa? What do they want? Keep reading and you'll find out... ;-)

I dedicate this chapter to my dear friend thr35hru3

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