I had no reason to be upset that day. Walking around my neighborhood with Tina, I couldn't stop smiling. My badge was invisible, which made our moments easier to enjoy. Sometimes I wondered if she used magic to make me happy. Most people would think she'd be the last woman to get along with me, which was far from the truth. Despite the risk, I didn't want to stop seeing her. Valentina was different and yet familiar. She neither pretended to be something she wasn't nor saw me as a stupid symbol. I couldn't afford to lose a person like that.

"I think you have magic powers too," Tina gazed at the morning sun. "How else would you convince me to see you every day for a month?"

"It's been a month? Time goes by fast when you're around," I let out a pronounced sigh. "Do your mother and stepfather suspect anything?"

She shook her head in denial. "They think I'm with Isa."

"You're a better liar," I was tempted to put an arm around her shoulder. "My parents believe I went for a walk to admire the sea."

We laughed loudly. The streets were empty that morning, meaning I could relax. Although Tina and I were just friends, I had an urge to touch her. She was the type of person who drew people in an unexplainable way. I could never understand why Valentina's mother said she steered men away. Wait, I have the answer... All the guys she met before me were idiots.

I hope she doesn't think I'm weird.

I wrinkled my nose as we were near the rag shop. The last thing I wanted that day was to work. Needing to say goodbye to Valentina wiped the smile away from my face.

"Unfortunately, I have to work," I huffed as I glanced at the shop. "It was a delight to see you, as always."

"I also liked being with you," Tina hugged me tightly. "Enjoy the rest of your day, San."

I closed my eyes as I returned the embrace, enjoying every minute of it. Tina gave the best hugs. Feeling her gave me an insane warmth inside. Perhaps good friendships gave people that sensation. My heart pounded as she smiled while looking into my eyes.

"Maybe we'll meet again," Valentina shrugged. "Let's wait and see."

I chuckled. "Always mysterious, aren't you?"

She took a step back. "I know you love it."

My lips curled into a broad grin as I entered the store. Roberto was there already. I gulped, hoping my dad wouldn't kill me for arriving a little late. When I started folding rags, a woman showed up. She smiled coyly while approaching me. I glanced away, trying to make her stop. Roberto scowled, seemingly confused.

"I'm Emilia," she leaned on the table. "I assume you're Sandro Montefiore."

"Correct," I tilted my head to the side. "Is there something I can help you with?"

Emilia giggled, "You tell me."

"I think I know what you desire," I bit my lower lip. "I'm not interested in romance now. My sincerest apologies."

She pouted. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, but don't worry. I'm certain a great man will find you," I forced a smile. "You're gorgeous, Tina."

Emilia ground her teeth. Swallowing hard, I wished I could become invisible as Valentina did. What had I done? How could I call that woman by the wrong name? Roberto gawked, apparently as surprised as me. I hoped my best friend wouldn't ask a million questions later... Well, I didn't know why I wasted my time wondering. He definitely would.

Emilia walked away. "That's not my name!"

Roberto stared at me once the lady left. I kept working, pretending not to notice. Perhaps he'd stay quiet if I didn't talk about what had happened.

"Dismissing pretty girls and calling them by the wrong name..." Roberto rubbed his chin. "Who are you, and what have you done to Sandro?"

"I just don't want another silly affair," I shrugged. "I'm not in the mood."

"Really?" my best friend crossed his arms. "Or did a certain woman catch your attention more than the others?"

I let out a forced laugh. "I don't know what you mean."

"You'd only say no to a beautiful woman if there's another one in your mind," Roberto analyzed my face. "Tina must be special."

I pressed my lips together. "She's just a friend!"

"Liar," my best rolled his eyes. "Tell me more about her."

Praying my parents weren't listening, I did what Roberto asked. I said everything except that she was Shadow. He kept nodding as I described the first time I saw Valentina, what she was like, and her profession. I controlled myself not to smile while talking about her. She cheered me up even when we weren't together.

"So, you've been walking around with a Catholic girl... You indeed enjoy trouble," Roberto sighed. "Is Ms. Valentina Trovato the reason you've been distracted at work?"

I frowned. "I'd never daydream about a friend."

"Let's test the truthfulness of this claim," Roberto said. "What do you think of her?"

"Tina is sweet, funny, smart, beautiful... When we're together, I don't care about anything but her," my eyes gleamed. "I love how Tina isn't scared of being herself. She's awesome."

It's a shame I get so little time with her.

My best friend gaped and wouldn't stop staring. I frowned, wondering why he seemed so startled. It appeared he had seen a ghost. I controlled myself not to laugh since Roberto could overreact sometimes.

I wrinkled my nose. "If you keep your mouth open, you'll swallow a bug."

"I've never heard you talk about a woman like that, let alone see her for more than a week," Roberto paced while rubbing his chin. "Do you know what this means?"

I hoped he'd change the subject soon. "That she's a great friend."

"Poor Sandro," he shook his head in denial. "So unaware of his reality."

I huffed. "I couldn't be more uninterested in understanding what you just said."

"It's finally happening," my best friend smiled and gave me a pat on the back. "You're falling in love!"

He's insane!

Quicker than a storm, the smile disappeared from my face. My eyes bulged as my hands slowly began sweating. Roberto had to be wrong. How could I fall for a woman I had only seen a few times? Besides, she was from a different world, so I could never have her. I forced a laugh to avoid more problems. Tina and I had almost kissed, but we got caught up in the moment, nothing major... At least that's what I preferred to think. If I didn't believe I was falling for Valentina, no one would.

"I'm proud of you, but did it have to be a Catholic?" my best friend put both hands on his face. "This can get you killed!"

I shook my head in denial. "You're exaggerating."

Roberto ignored me. "The worst part is you can never marry her. No religion allows it."

"First, Tina and I aren't together," I controlled myself not to say impolite things. "Second, I already said marriage isn't for me!"

My best friend rolled his eyes as if he had talked to a stubborn child. A shiver ran down my spine as I looked to the right. Dad shot me such an icy glare that I almost turned to stone. He quickly approached my table of rags. Either he would criticize my work, or he had heard my conversation with Roberto. I hoped it was the first option.

"What a nice surprise!" I looked at my father while forcing a smile. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Cut the nonsense. Come upstairs with me," my dad ground his teeth. "Now!"

This can't be good.

What I truly wanted was to say no, but I couldn't. Dad was so crazy that he could fire me if I denied his request. I followed my father to our living room. He analyzed the wall behind me, seemingly about to throw something. I took a deep breath, trying to get ready for the annoying things he wanted to bother me with.

"If you keep talking to that Sicilian witch, there will be consequences. I heard your conversation with Roberto," my father crossed his arms. "You're forbidden to see her!"

"Don't talk about Tina like that!" my cheeks got so red I thought I'd burst because of the anger. "Besides, you can't stop me."

"I wouldn't insist on this little, this... Whatever you have with Ms. Trovato," my father wrinkled his nose. "You should be marrying a good Jewish woman instead of wasting your time with that Catholic!"

I shot him a defiant gaze. "Why don't you find something better to do than make me unhappy?"

"Shut up!" he pursed his lips. "I'm the head of this family and will do as I please."

I squeezed my eyes shut. "Can't you leave me alone?"

"If you don't tell Valentina you're never seeing her again, she dies," my father walked closer. "It's that simple."

I didn't hear this!

I froze. My eyes were so widened I thought they'd jump out of my face. Even though my father always said horrible things, he had surprised me at that moment. Couldn't I get along with someone different? Why was it so wrong? I had never imagined my dad would go that far. The thought of Tina getting killed made me want to scream. I couldn't let any harm come to her.

I shook my head in denial. "You wouldn't dare."

"The Knights of the Holy Word would," my dad glanced at the window. "They're looking for that witch Shadow. Your dear Tina is among their suspects."

That couldn't be true. If I was the only one Valentina couldn't enchant, how did those men suspect her? Had they seen her using magic? I kept her secret, so that wasn't my fault. I scowled, wondering who were the Knights of... I won't say that huge name. I'll call them KHW.

"She can't do magic," I lied. "They'll know you're fooling them."

"The Knights won't care once they see her Muslim face," my dad laughed. "These men have no boundaries."

"That explains why you get along with them," I prayed my father would never find out I knew Shadow. "Who are those idiots?"

"A secret Inquisition branch that kills witches, Muslims, and Jews without giving them a trial. I've been bribing them for three months to spare us," he huffed. "They always wear a strange black cape with a golden symbol on it. All they talk about is a ridiculous mission."

Rubbing my chin, I recalled my walks with Tina. She looked back many times, so could she be worried about the Knights? Had anyone warned her? I didn't know what to do. I wondered if not talking to Valentina anymore would indeed save her life. There was no way I'd trust my dad without thinking twice. Only God knew what else he was hiding. My poor mom probably had no idea he interacted with a group that hated Jewish people.

"When the night comes, meet Valentina in front of our shop so that I can hear everything," my dad gave me a fiery glare. "Tell her you won't see each other anymore."

"You just said the KHW chases Jews. Sooner or later, they'll stop accepting the bribe," I hoped my father would see reason. "How are you even considering giving these men a suspect?"

He shrugged. "They said I won't need to pay them anymore if I do it."

I laughed loudly. However, the cause wasn't joy. I felt so nervous I thought I would explode. Once again, Giosuè Montefiore had shown the true monster he was. Mom should've married someone else because his selfishness and cruelty were unbelievable. He cared more about money than I had thought.

"You're such a miser!" I shook my head in denial while frowning. "Mom would never forgive you for sending someone to death because of money."

My dad's lips curled into a cruel grin. "Once she finds out it's to keep you away from that dirty witch, she won't mind."

I bared my teeth. "If you say these things about Tina ever again, I swear I'll..."

"What? You're completely powerless!" my father interrupted me while chuckling. "If you don't do what I said, she's a dead woman. Same if you warn her or reveal the KHW is involved. Am I clear?"

I held my tears. "This isn't right..."

"I might be a miser, but I'm a man of my word. No harm will come to her if you don't do anything stupid," my dad raised his brows. "It's a promise."

I wasn't sure what to believe. There was no way to determine whether my father had spoken the truth. If I refused to destroy my friendship with Tina, she could die. If I bent to his will, she could get killed as well. I controlled myself not to freak out. The last thing I needed was to steer someone wonderful away. I didn't want to lose somebody who understood me and put a smile on my face.

"You have until sunset to decide," my father took a step back. "I'm telling the KHW she's Shadow if I don't hear from you. They won't care if it's true or not."

What a nightmare!

My mind was so disturbed that I felt dizzy. Laughing at myself, I wondered why I hated the idea of never meeting Tina again. What was wrong with me? Why did my dumb heart pound when I saw her? Perhaps I was sick. Regardless, I was determined not to let my dad or the KHW hurt Valentina. I'd never forgive myself if something terrible happened to her. I felt God had abandoned me since there was no right decision. Anything could happen.

****

Author's note: Will Giosuè keep his promise to Sandro? Is Valentina safe? Keep reading and you'll find out... ;-)

I dedicate this chapter to my dear friend SVR1965