A/N: Hello, peoples! And welcome back to the world of ATGB. I'm sorry for leaving you all hanging like that, but I just couldn't resist. So enjoy this first chapter of the second installment!

…

AmaiPOV

The loud sound of my stomach rumbling echoed through the cavernous halls of the temple. It had been a long while—how long, I wasn't even sure—since I had eaten. But all I knew was that I was tired and hungry and utterly depressed. I couldn't believe Altair had left me here to die.

He wouldn't do that, I tried to argue. But if that was true, why did he leave?

He was disappointed. Robert lied to him. He hadn't lied. That's exactly what I was sent to do.

But you didn't do it. Once you learned their ways, you began to love the lifestyle, the people—Faruk, Abbas, Raouf. Altair.

I had no argument to that. It was true. I hadn't told Altair the whole truth, no, but he didn't understand. I hadn't betrayed him. This was the last thought I had before a dreamless sleep overtook me.

…

I woke with a shadow over me. Something was working with the chains that kept my wrists bound. I squinted in the low light and looked up at the face… my heart skipped a beat.

"Alta—!"

His hand clamped over my mouth. "Shut. Up."

Of course, he didn't want to alert Robert. He resumed his work and before long one of my arms fell, then the other. I rubbed my sore wrists and followed Altair as he silently left the Temple.

At the massive door of the decrepit building, where sunlight flooded into my eyes and the openness of the world made me once again feel free, I wrapped my arms around Altair in sheer gratitude. "I knew you wouldn't leave me down there."

But he pried himself out of my grip. "Don't thank me," he muttered, stepping forward to disappear into the crowd.

…

"Amai, you did not complete your mission in Jerusalem, as was your order," Al Mualim stated flatly. "Explain yourself."

I thought fast for a good lie. "Among the city's people I heard that Robert had returned to Solomon's Temple. As I went to investigate he captured me, and I am thankful to Altair for my rescue."

He sighed. "From now on, Altair will accompany you on all of your missions. Go."

"Thank you, master," I said quickly and descended the stairs. Altair was at the door of the library, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. One look at me and he was leaving.

"Altair, wait!" I called after him, jogging to keep up with his quick steps, "I have to talk to you. Explain things."

"There's, nothing to explain," he mumbled darkly.

"Altair, please. If you'd just listen—"

He turned on me, grey eyes blazing beneath his hood. "Amai, I have done all the listening I need to," he growled accusingly, advancing on me with every word he spoke. "I went back for you because I didn't want to believe it. Any of it. But the whole time I was wandering the city trying to make sense of this whole situation there was a little feeling telling me that I was wrong. And you know what? I was. The whole time you were here, learning from me, you knew. You KNEW he was there this WHOLE time and you didn't tell anyone. You obviously retained some loyalty to them, so why don't you just go back and leave me the hell alone."

As I felt the cool stone press against my back I uttered one last, "But…"

"Go, Amai." He sighed, already walking away.

When he said that I realized that he'd shown me something—a part of him that he'd never shown to anyone else—his heart. And I'd broken it.