Flung across the floor, the duo both yelped and groaned in pain. Both their arms were tied behind their backs, and their hearts pounded wildly with fright as they awaited what will become of them. They both struggled to loosen the ropes but to no avail. Their mouths were muffled with cloth that were bound around their heads and mouths like horses. Their eyes were also blindfolded, leaving them in darkness. And through the darkness, both young people could hear the voices of their captors.

Nova cursed under his breath. He couldn't believe that they were in that situation despite having Arcana cards. But who knew a man would be able to take them on with ease? He certainly didn't. He knew he was careless to have thought that they were out of danger the moment he knocked out the circus members. The boy had panicked at that time as well—he lost his cool under a stoic face. Nova felt more than ashamed.

He could feel Felicita's legs entangles with his, but they were still. It seemed to him that she got tired from their earlier squabble with the big man. Gently he slowly untangled himself and quickly sat up with a single swift movement.

"Nova, where are we?" the girl whispered.

"I dunno," Nova replied. "But I'm suspecting maybe their storehouse or something. I can't hear anything."

His companion did not reply to his answer, and Nova didn't add anything further. He was frustrated enough.

"I'm sorry." Her voice broke the silence. "You were so worried about my wellbeing that we got caught because of it. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault, Fel," Nova told her calmly. "It's mine. I didn't sense or hear that man coming. I should've been more alert."

"That goes the same for me for being the head of Swords," Felicita replied reluctantly. But in a moment she became serious, stiffening at the thought that flashed through her head. "Nova, what if this circus is actually the 'fake' Arcana users Angelica mentioned before?!"

Her cousin sighs incredulously. "I suspected that a long time ago."

"Eh?"

Before he answered, he tries to break free again, hoping to loosen the rope around him. But the texture only scraped his pale skin, soon making his skin bleed. The ropes began soaking up the source of his life, and it brought stinging pain that made him seethe through his teeth. Even Felicita could detect the pain he was going through.

"Nova, you're—"

"It's fine," he snaps. "I suspected that they were Arcana users because of their name."

"Tarocchini?"

Nova nods through the darkness. "From that word, 'tarots' were created. The Arcana goes by some aliases, but tarot should be a clear sign that they are also Arcana."

"Then we'll have to warn the others," said Felicita, getting up.

The boy nods at this. "But they took our weapons, there's no way we could cut these ropes!"

"Nova," Felicita's voice suddenly told him calmly. "I need you to put down the blindfolds."

Her cousin shook his head. "I have no means to do so."

"Use your mouth, Nova." Her voice so firm.

Hearing that, his cheeks immediately heated up in embarrassment. He couldn't believe his ears, and he never thought that the girl could be so dense about modesty. "I can't do that!"

"You have to!" she insisted.

"No! I can't!"

"Please, Nova! We have to warn the others!"

"Do you even know what you're asking for?!" he hissed angrily.

"Then I will!" her voice cried. "We have to think about the others right now. Angelica is fighting with us in her own way along with our new family. We can't let her work end with us being helpless here!"

The boy sighs. "You may be right. But isn't there any other way to deal with this?"

His cousin shook her head. "No."

Sighing exasperatedly again, he leans closer towards her and says, "Fine. I'll pull down your blindfold," while blushing. He could feel her leaning closer as he could smell her perfume becoming stronger. Nova hoped that they wouldn't get into any trouble for their desperation.

Suddenly though, they heard the heavy swishing of flaps opening, and quickly they pulled from each other just as they heard fast, light footsteps approach them. In a moment they felt the ropes around them get cut off, the gags untied, and the blindfolds removed. Their eyes widened when they realised that their rescuer was no one but the stealthy Debito himself.

Before they could say anything, the man was quick to place his finger to his lips without even uttering a sound. He then motions them to follow him and they did so obediently without question. Stopping by the entrance, he peeks outside to make sure that no one was around. And noticing no one close by, he took ahold of the two and the three suddenly became invisible. The two with Debito found their eyes widen in surprise, never expecting to see his new ability in action. In a quiet swift movement, he sneaks the two out and soon they found refuge from the camp.

The three stopped by the closest forest since the camp was outside of town. Under the shade of a thousand trees, they rested against the tree trunks as they felt the gentle sea breeze against their faces. They panted as they tried to catch their breath, knowing that they have to escape as soon as possible.

Lifting her gaze up, Felicita took deep breaths while she rested her weight on her legs with her hands on her knees. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, feeling them roll down slowly as she rested for a moment. And in time, the girl finally stood upright afterwards with her strength replenished, ready to hurl her questions. "How did you find us, Debito?" she asks the relaxed man.

"It was pretty simple to be honest," Debito replied with a relaxed tone. "The major circus members were knocked out and a big burly man was saying something about 'two snoops' sneaking at the meeting. He seemed pretty upset about it and said something about putting 'those two' into the storage room. And sure enough I found you two."

"I told Papa to send reinforcements if we don't get back in an hour," Nova told Felicita. "I didn't have him extend it to even two since we may never know what may occur."

"It was a good thing though. Who knows what could've happened if they found out you were part of the Arcana Famiglia?" Debito points out.

Felicita nods. "I believe you're right."

Turning to Debito, Nova becomes serious and narrowed his eyes. "We have to get back to Papa. There's some information we have to inform him quickly."

* * * * * * * *

Groaning, Abelle opens his eyes slowly, feeling his head throb. It made him stiffen from the pain, but when he realized that he was in a room on a bed, he jolted up in shock. His turquoise eyes thoroughly scanned the room, darting his eyes at every detail since he had no idea where he was. On his sides were beds just like his own and on them were his friends, all still deep asleep. It alarmed him to see them in a chamber and who knows who owned the place.

Sneakily he pushes back the covers and slid off the bed quietly without even a squeak. He was more than flustered to be held captive in a house and being the only one awake was more than he could handle. The weight of protecting his friends quickly dropped on his shoulders. It made him grit his teeth irritably, but thankfully their clothes were not changed (their boots were simply removed) nor was any weapon confiscated. It made him wonder even more who had taken them in.

Suddenly Abelle heard the door handle creak nearby, and in a flash he leaps beside it with a dagger he managed to grab from their belongings. Soon the door creaked open and the moment he heard footsteps he rushed towards the stranger, pushed him back against the wall, and held up the blade against his throat. The intruder immediately gasped in fear.

"Who are you? And where have you taken us?" Abelle hissed. "If you're hear to put an end to our lives then I have to apologize because,"—he glares hard at him—"We have no plans on dying just yet."

"I-I-I-I'm sorry!" he stuttered. "I was only told to bring you here by Connor and I merely did what he asked and I—"

"What?!" Abelle snapped. "What does that supposed to mean? What does Connor have to do with us? Bloody hell, how did he even know we were. . . wherever we were, like damn I cared about that."

"He only said he needed to speak to you," the man spluttered. "S-S-S-Said something about wanting to talk to the woman with you b-b-b-b-b-but apparently she isn't here with the rest of you."

"What does he want with her?" the bespectacled man continued to ask coldly. "For some reason, I don't like the sound of it."

With those words he closes in on the man who began to squeal in fright, but a hand suddenly lands on Abelle's shoulder, making him whirl his head around. His eyes widened to see Pietro behind him. His best friend had a stern and calm look on his face, and the other three behind him were the same. Relief immediately came upon the man and he didn't need to be told to let go of the other who shuddered like a poor mouse cornered by a cat.

"I see you're all finally awake," he nonchalantly told them.

"We heard the whole commotion," said Azad. "Things aren't good at this point."

"We have to find her!" cried Jahan, a look of panic growing on his face.

Pietro whines at this. "My stomach is putting up a fit! Shouldn't she have gone to look for us by now??" he asked. "It's dark out outside!"

Sure enough, the men realized that night had fallen and they didn't even notice at all. The sun was already more than beyond the horizon since the stars had already taken their places up in the sky. They could see the houses already lit up, even the lampposts already were. And calmly leaning by the windowsill was the monkey, Shandor. He had ignored them the entire time, which irritated them a little. Wasn't he supposed to be Angelica's pet monkey?

Letting out a long sigh, Enzo buried his face into his hands as he sank on the bed. He felt disgusted about the fact that he had been defeated by a woman who had unexpectedly knocked them out with whatever she had thrown to the ground. Not only that, while Abelle was busy threatening the poor man, he went through their belongings, only to realize that they have indeed been robbed. Not a single coin was left in their pouches. Even Angelica's extra baggages were rummaged through, and everything worth of value disappeared from their places. It made him feel more than useless. He had just allowed a thief to steal from the one he instantly fell in love with.

But a sharp knock interrupts his thoughts, and the sound of sharp blades pulled from their scabbards. It instantly caught his attention and forced him to jolt to his feet. In a split second he found himself glaring at Connor who stood before them with a relaxed demeanor.

"Rested up, boys?" he calmly asked while he leaned against the doorpost.

"What do you want?" Azad sternly asks, his weapon glinting from the light that emitted from the room's lamps.

Connor narrows his eyes at him. "I was a little disappointed to see Enzo's duel with that stupid Black Vixen. He allowed that woman to get the upper hand and was ultimately robbed. Pathetic."

"That woman calls herself the 'Black Vixen'?" scoffed Abelle.

The visitor laughs. "Don't ask me why, but she's been a pain on the neck lately."

"Who's she exactly?" asked Jahan.

Connor shrugs. "Apparently a thief with agile abilities. One of her informants told me that your precious woman was taken away with her partner called Alfieri."

"Why are you telling us this, Connor?" Enzo asks coldly.

The man clothed in white chuckles mischievously, shrugging at Enzo. "Oh, I don't know," he said with a nonchalant wave of his hand. "Maybe I found myself fascinated with the woman. Although. . this isn't the first time we met to be honest."

Enzo narrows his eyes. "What are you talking about?"

Connor puts his hand up. "But before that, there's a certain technique I learned from my superiors about the cards," he said, but his companions quickly became defensive, making Connor sigh exasperatedly. "Your woman gave Azad the Arcana cards," he darts his eyes to him. "If you want to find her, her cards should allow you to get to her."

Abelle looks at him suspiciously. "How did you obtain this information?" he asked coldly.

Connor scoffs. "I'm an assassin. Did you think I wouldn't obtain further knowledge during my travels? I managed to come across this young fortuneteller who knew the existence of the Arcana which you have made deals with. She told me that the cards are as powerful as and dangerous. One could get killed if they use the card when they are not solely compatible with, turning the card unstable because it was forced to attach itself to the host. Now, to look for the card user, we have to spill the blood of another user on the card your woman uses."

His words seemed sincere enough, but the four men remained skeptical as ever. Knowing that he was working with Sasori, they knew that putting trust on such a man could mean immediate danger to all of them. It could be a trap and get caught when they least expect it. For a moment they contemplated amongst themselves, remaining unsure for quarter of an hour.

"Don't worry, no one will be able to steal a card as long as that woman is alive," Connor's voice interrupted their thoughts. "Apparently Sasori has bigger plans for her."

"Bigger plans? You know her? Why are you telling us this?!" the former assassin suddenly yells, surprising his comrades.

"Enzo. ." Jahan looked at his friend with concern.

Without saying another word, Connor lifts up his hand with a cynical look on his face. He finally became serious, and the rest immediately knew that he meant business. "Fine," he said. "I'll tell you. But first,"—he raises up his pointer finger—"know that I'm on your side. Second,"—he raises up his middle finger—"I hate this town so I wanna go with you guys to Regalo,"—he raises up his ring finger—"and finally, like I said before, I'm interested to know this woman personally. But I have no plans on becoming an Arcana user whatsoever."

"You mentioned that you knew her, but Angelica didn't seem to know you at all." Azad frowned.

"Oh, I met her at a *bordello."

Hearing that, all four men found themselves wide-eyed as they listened to Connor's side of the story. He explained that he still wasn't sure if Angelica was indeed the one he saw at the whorehouse, but he did recognize her eyes the moment they met down the road to Colosseum. He told them that Angelica was probably in her late teens when he met her since her face matured quite a bit since then. Connor explained it was also due to her attitude, being so calm and cocky instead of melancholic and hostile.

His words was beyond Angelica's friends' comprehension, because they couldn't believe a single word he said. They refused to believe that she was a disgusting whore nor did she ever have a hostile personality; she has been extremely nice to them and what whore would learn such defined manners? What whore could possibly have the wisdom she had?

"That's impossible!" cried Jahan. "That woman whom you're talking about may only be a look alike! And it's been six years since you've last seen her. How can you be sure that it was Miss Angelica?!"

Connor remained unconvinced, but at the same time, a smirk curled under his mask on his lips. He realized what was going on. "Oh, I see how it is. She barely told you anything about herself didn't she?" he asked. "I expected to hear you guys raving on how magnificent her life as a fortuneteller was for her. But instead, you're all staring at me shocked. Well, Im not surprised she didn't tell you; it isn't exactly something someone would calmly confess like it was nothing."

No one was able to counter the assassin's words. They knew he was right, and there was nothing they could counter him with from the start. They knew nothing about the fortuneteller.

The assassin sighs exasperatedly when he saw their intense shock, but he couldn't care any less. Approaching them he says, "I believe it would be best to ask her face to face, hm? I suggest we use the Arcana to find her."

"How do you know that it will even work? Don't you know where your boss is keeping her?" Pietro asks worriedly.

Connor shook his head. "Apparently they took her somewhere else," he replied. "We'll have to hurry; we don't know what they could be doing to her this very moment."

Without another word, Azad searched his clothing for the box.

"Why does Sasori want her?" Enzo asked his former fellow assassin as they waited for Azad.

The man beside him shrugged. "I'm not sure. But I believe they want to use her as a means to unlock the secrets of the Arcana."

Hearing this, Enzo's eyes widened in fear, and he quickly darts his eyes to Azad who seemed to panic. Cold sweat soon moistened on Enzo's forehead when he realized that Azad no longer had the box. Everyone else noticed as well, and Connor sighed exasperatedly with a tone of disappointment in his voice. He could not believe what was happening.

"What's going on, Azad?!" the prince cried at his attendant. "We're supposed to be hurrying here!"

"My prince," Azad stopped looking through his robes. "It's gone."

* * * * * * * *

Darkness encompassed the entire chamber, the cold hair suffocated whoever was there. And the smell of blood and rotting flesh pervaded the air. Along the corners, rats scurried about on the marble floors. They nipped on the corpses and feasted on the flesh close to becoming soil. The sight was revolting. Corpses and those close to death's doorstep and prisoners were kept in separate cages. Several of them had missing limbs, covered bodies with bandages, but most of all, the look of pain and despair overwhelmed their eyes.

Bruises covered their bodies, and blood was stained on the floor on which they sit and lie on. Many were groaning and moaning from the numbing pain. Some were constantly vomiting due to the foul smell of rotting flesh. At the same time, the faint, echoing voices of hysterics and insane men filled the long halls of the underground. Some also forced the life out of themselves, not wanting to live any longer.

Tied tightly on the table, Angelica was forced to listen to their mournful cries. Her whole body was frozen in fear, feeling chills go up her spine, and she couldn't even have to try imagining the looks on their faces while she was blindfolded. She pitied them. Angelica was also determined to get released, but her earlier beating had left her weak and unable to fight back.

Putting her state aside, the woman wondered where her companion, Alfieri had gone. She hoped that he was alright and was not going through the torture she had managed to overcome. Luckily for her, the torturers didn't open her skin with the leather whip they had. But they instead beat her until she could no longer stand up.

Suddenly she heard footsteps approach her, and immediately her eyes darted. Before her was a pretty woman with blonde hair amber eyes. She had a sickly curl of a smile that was tainted with sadism and enthusiasm. She donned on a lab coat as well. And then immediately it alarmed Angelica when a hooded figure followed the blonde with a cart.

"My, my! You're still wide awake! I'm impressed!" chirped the insane woman. "You're pretty strong!"

Angelica smirked. "It's gonna take a whole lot more of beating before you could knock me out," sneered the fortuneteller.

"Such confidence!" the woman cried with an amazed expression on her face. "Let's wipe that smirk off your face, Angelica,"—an evil grin appearing on her face–"Apparently, Satori doesn't like your noncooperative attitude. So I'll have to punish you."

Before the blonde could say anything else, she found herself thrown back hard. She crashed against the wall behind her with a loud thump as she dropped to the floor. Instead of groaning in pain, laughter escaped her mouth and cried a loud 'whoop!' that sent chills up Angelica's spine.

She's still conscious?! the fortuneteller thought.

"Even with the beatings, you remain strong, Arcana user," a husky voice chimed.

Immediately a glare appeared on Angelica's face when she realized to whom it belonged. "You won't get anything out of me," she declared with determination.

"We only want to know how to control the Arcana, sweetie," he told her as he caressed her cheek. "The madame would be more than happy to know that, and we could even spare your pretty face."

Angelica spat at him angrily. "Hurt me all you want, I won't tell you anything!"

Instead of getting annoyed, the man snapped his fingers. Instantly Angelica heard footsteps approach her, and her eyes widened to see Alfieri with no ropes or anything binding him. He was walking towards her freely and he bore a face of guilt and shame. Tears began to swell on her eyelids when the man raised his hand on her and bound her entire body, leaving Angelia defenceless as her mind soon became fuzzy with hurt and pain.

Before she knew it, she saw the blonde from before lean in with the same devilish grin on her face. It was filled with sadism and bloodlust that caused Angelica to feel her blood run cold. In her hand Angelica saw a tool used to gouge out eyeballs. Fear overcame the fortuneteller as she realized her predicament. And then with one swift movement, the blonde pushed back the fortuneteller's bangs. It revealed her whole face and the pair of her left eye. On the iris was the mark of her Arcana, La Giustizia. The sight of it thrilled the insane surgeon and she cackled in delight and excitement.

"Alright, sweetie! It's gonna hurt—like hell!" she cried, suddenly moving in to remove Angelica's eye.

Slowly feeling the instrument pull out her eyeball, Angelica screamed in pain as blood began oozing out. She witnessed darkness coming over her right eye, feeling the socket get yanked roughly many times. Helplessly she cried her heart and her tears flowed down from the sides of her head along with blood. And she couldn't do anything to help herself, nor did Altieri who only stood close by. She continued to scream loudly that shook the entire chamber, only exciting the surgeon even more.

It pained the man she kissed.

"I'm sorry, An."

~~~

Number of words: 3950

*bordello is the Italian form of a brothel, a whorehouse.