Author's Note:

This is going to be the only Author's Note that I write before a chapter. This is revised in past tense with more descriptions, and better fight scenes, and more character depth and interactions. I will be posting a "DATE" and "LOCATION" every time that the month changes.

That is all, now, enjoy the revised edition of Assassin's Creed: Bloodlines!

CHAPTER ONE:

Just Like Old Times

DATE: SEPTEMBER 2012

LOCATION: CALIFORNIA

I'd trained all my life to be a killer. I've assassinated high-ranking politicians, CEO's of big corporations. I've faced capture and escaped each time! Hell, I even killed a fellow Assassin-turned-Templar. But no amount of that training could've prepared me for my new mission: High School. Yeah, I graduated in May of 2012 (with high honors surprisingly enough). The only reason why I was at a high school again, was to find a girl by the name of Sarah Kolz, a young girl that not only had unknown ties to the Assassins; she was also my blood-related sister.

I removed the aviator shades that Number Four, a really skilled Master Assassin (and one that was still missing), had left one day while I was attending my first summer at Training Camp, and rubbed my eyes, wishing that they weren't gold. I used my Eagle Vision a lot after the Arizona incident and I guess after using it so much, it evolved into something more. I hated it. I looked like a freaking vampire! A few girls from the school that I was to attend even asked me if I was a vampire!

I was only attending high school again in hopes of finding Sarah, explaining to her what I was, who I was, and how I was her sister to begin with. I also learned that my mother passed away after giving birth to Sarah—which made sense as to why I didn't remember my mom that well. I was only one year old!

A few girls looked at me with threatening glares and I only returned them with a dead gaze as I replaced my "borrowed" shades back on my eyes. If they thought that I was trying to find a boyfriend, then they were sadly mistaken. I had a boyfriend, Joel Summers, the only guy in my life that could get away with kissing me on the first date—if you call jumping out of a burning prison a first date…

The sun was blinding and I wasn't doing a very good job at blending in with the crowd here. Normally I was really good about that stuff, but I wasn't in New York anymore. I was in California; where everyone was either in a bikini or swim trunks. I blinked once, reaching for my minds eye—my Eagle Sense—and when I blinked a second time, the world was in a bluish-white color (with a black tint because of the shades). Most of the students had no color to them, indicating that they were just regular kids. There were some teachers in blue and in white—indicating to me that they were Assassins that held information; a dozen or so kids were red—telling me that they were Templars, therefore, not innocents. Looking around a little harder, I spotted a young girl in gold. My target.

Blinking, my Eagle Sense vanished and the world warped back into the regulars colors. I threw the light grey hood up over my eyes. I had opted for a sleeveless version of my grey hooded jacket (minus the beaked tip) so that I wouldn't be dying of heatstroke. Casey also took great pride in cutting my hair so that it brushed just past my shoulders (I had to admit, it was easier to manage). My left ring finger was covered with make-up to hide the tattoo.

The first bell rang and kids were shuffling into the building, rubbing their eyes. I watched as Sarah walked in, her movement was that of someone insecure and shy, like a dog with its tails between its legs.

"Have you found her?" Derek asked.

I brought my hand up to my left ear. "Yeah, she's within my line of sight," I confirmed in a low voice.

"Erik had to hack a few computers, but we managed to give you the same exact schedule as Sarah," Derek stated. That was the important part. I needed to have the exact same schedule as Sarah in order for this mission to be successful.

"Excellent," I murmured as a tall lanky boy shoved me aside.

"We have several Assassins there posing as teachers—I assume you located them?" Derek questioned smugly.

I rolled my eyes. "Of course!"

"Report to them with any new findings of Templar activity within the school. Plus, you are going in blind. Remember your alias."

"I'm Haley Stoltz, I moved recently from New York City…" I grumbled. It wasn't a total lie. But I didn't grow up in New York City. I grew up in rural New York State.

"Emma, I'm just as nervous as you are. But you have to remain composed…" Derek cautioned.

I huffed as I reached my locker. "I'm aware and this isn't my first infiltration Der," I reminded him. Derek signed off and I had a sneaking suspicion that he wasn't happy about me using his nickname that I gave him when I was younger.

I grabbed my books and headed to first period English. I noted that there were a few teachers that seemed better off, nicer clothes, head held high, a few of them even had Templar pins on their clothes. I pressed the Bluetooth. "Templars have agents within the school," I repeated quietly to Derek.

"Crap! Okay, blend in as best as you can, we can't afford to have them recognize you so easily. Please for the sake of all that is good in this world, do not pick a fight with anyone," Derek begged.

A Templar who was posing as a teacher glared at me and I lowered my hood and turned my Bluetooth off. "Sorry," I looked at the teacher, my tone barely passing as apologetic. They kept glaring at me so I removed my shades as well. I watched with confusion as their eyes widened.

Templar control was blatantly obvious here. I would have to see what classes the Templars taught and report to one of the higher masters here. I was more concerned about History and Philosophy, being the easiest classes to corrupt…

I walked into English—I was one of the first few in and the teacher nodded at me. I passed a few "popular" girls as they shot me death glares and I ignored them as I slid into a seat in the back. Leaning back, I closed my eyes.

I heard someone stumbling into the class and I opened my eyes to see Sarah blushing bright red as she looked at the floor. I frowned and leaned forward. The teacher just waved her to a seat that was to my right. I watched closely as the "popular" girls were hissing, "Loser" and "Freak" when Sarah passed by them.

Stay your blade from the flesh of an innocent, stay your blade from the flesh of an innocent, stay your blade from the flesh of an innocent … I chanted the first tenet mentally to myself. My eyes lit up with the possibility. The Creed never said, 'Stay your fists from an innocent'…

Sarah slid into the seat next to me and buried herself in her book. Wow, she actually pays attention in class…

"Hey," I smiled as I looked at Sarah. She had the same colored hair as me—just a shade darker. Her eyes were a shade brighter than mine were—when they were still brown. "I'm Haley, what's your name?" the line came out so smoothly that I; myself had to take a moment to remember who I really was.

Sarah looked at me. She obviously wasn't used to being talked to. "Sarah," she murmured. You're the new girl right?"

I laughed. "Yeah, I am. I was wondering, is California always this warm?"

Sarah seemed to loosen up. "Not really, it doesn't help that you are wearing that vest thing," Sarah pointed at my hooded vest.

I nodded and my gaze returned to the front of the class.

"Okay class, time to split up into partners and summarize the chapters that you read last night!" the teacher instructed.

I watched as Sarah just sighed, opened her notebook up and began writing the summary down in that. She didn't even bother looking for a partner.

"Um…" I bit my lip. "Mind if you be my partner?" I asked, feeling slightly awkward at the moment.

Sarah looked at me with shock. "Oh, sure. I mean, normally we have an odd number of students in this class so I never get a partner…" Sarah whispered.

I shrugged. "Thanks."

So Sarah and I spent the first ten minutes going over the summary of the book we were reading and when we were done, I couldn't help but notice that she and I shared some similar facial features. Soft chin, heart-shaped face… Shaking my head, I decided that I should question Sarah a bit.

"So," I started as I closed my notebook, "why do the nimrods up front hate you so much?" I gestured with my thumb to the "popular" girls that sat up front.

Sarah stifled a laugh. Obviously she wasn't used to hearing someone slander someone else like that. "I'm just the odd kid out here," she finally admitted.

I frowned and turned towards her. "Why?"

Sarah shrugged. "I'm not like everyone else here. I was adopted and that alone is enough to be labeled a 'freak' for the rest of my life," she then showed me her skin, "and I might as well be a friggin' vampire!"

I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to hold back the laugh that had started in my stomach. "Well, if it helps, I was the odd one out back at my school," I grinned.

Sarah looked at me, up and down until her eyes were staring into mine. "Highly doubt it. Most girls would kill to have your looks." I ran my hand through my hair as I laughed, "I mean, the eyes are obviously contacts or something right?" Sarah questioned.

I stopped laughing. "Y-Yeah. Contacts," I agreed.

Sarah nodded. "Thanks," she murmured.

"For what?" I asked.

Sarah grinned as she moved some of her hair away from her face. "For actually acknowledging me for a change. I'm normally the invisible one here. No one really talks to me…"

I grinned. "Here," I said as I wrote my cell number down. "Call whenever, I'm free most days."

Sarah nodded and stuffed the note in her pocket. The bell rang after another forty minutes. I was swapping my books out when someone bumped into me. "Hey watch it!" I snarled as I slammed my locker closed and spun the person that bumped into me around. The dark blonde hair was up in a messy bun and her cerulean blue eyes glinted with mischief and greeting. "Holy—! Casey!" I nearly shouted as I hugged my best friend.

Casey hugged me back just as tightly. "It's good to see you too. I would've come sooner, but Erik couldn't get first period to match up. But I have the same schedule as you and Sarah—speaking of Sarah, did you find her?" Casey laughed as she smoothed out her own clothes. Again, she belonged in California.

"Yeah," I smiled. "But she's not exactly one to fit in around here," I mentioned.

Casey shrugged. "Well, neither do you—ow!" she grumbled as I smacked her upside the head. "What was that for?!"

I shook my hand out lightly. "I fit in just fine thank you very much!" I growled. "It was also for smacking me upside the head last year at that track meet!"

Casey grinned as I felt two arms wrap around my waist and Joel kissed my cheek. "I'm sorry Casey, but Emma fits in just perfectly here," Joel smiled as he barely whispered my real name and Casey's name.

Casey rolled her eyes as I gave Joel a hug back. "All right lovebirds, we better get to class," Casey stated.

I looked at the other girls around us as Joel put an arm protectively around my waist. I smugly grinned as the girls narrowed their eyes at me. "He's taken," I hissed as they walked by. There was no mistaking the lust in their eyes.

Joel kissed the top of my head. "Someone's jealous," he grinned.

"Pfft, as if," I blushed.

Joel tilted my head up and kissed my lips gently. "I think it's cute," he smiled.

Casey respectfully looked away. Erik wasn't attending school here like the rest of us. Heather was homeschooling him until our little mission here was completed.

I pulled away from Joel. "Sorry to break it to you, but Casey and I need to get going. I'll see you when?" I asked Joel.

He frowned as he thought quickly. "I think gym, but if not, I'll see you girls at lunch."

I pecked a kiss on Joel's cheek and Casey dragged me away from my boyfriend. "Christ, you find your soul mate after a near death experience and all of a sudden you turn into a mush—."

I glared at Casey. "If you finish that sentence…I'm willing to break the Creed to hurt you," I snarled and Casey shut up.

We walked into second period and the teacher was neither an Assassin nor Templar so I was okay with that. Sarah was the last to stumble in and another "popular" conveniently "placed" her bag in Sarah's path. I deftly stood up (ignoring the glare from Casey), walked to the front, picked the bag up and slammed it on the "popular" girl's desk. Sarah slid past me and took her seat in the back, on my left, her eyes wide as she watched me.

"I suggest you keep your bag close by. Wouldn't want someone to steal or trip over it," I growled, venom lacing my voice. "I mean, it's as fake as your nose right?"

The girl cringed but tried to hide it with a flip of her hair. The teacher wasn't paying attention and I returned to my seat. Sarah just looked down at her notes.

"Sei fuori di testa(are you insane)?!" Casey hissed as she leaned toward me.

I glared at her. "Quello era niente in confronto a quello che volevo fare a lei (that was nothing compared to what I wanted to do to her)," I whispered.

Casey shook her head at me and I turned my attention back to Sarah—who looked impressed that I knew Italian so fluently. "Uh Sarah," I smiled, "this is…Cassie. She's my…adopted sister," I motioned my head towards Casey.

I turned and Casey only smiled as she waved at Sarah. "Sei così morto(you're so dead)," she said through the smile.

I rolled my eyes at her and the lesson started. Well, transferring in the second week of the school year wasn't the smartest idea, but we had no choice.

Third period rolled around and as Casey and I were walking, Sarah jogged over to us. "Hey! You guys have gym too?" her voice was full of joy. At least she was able to trust us so readily. "That's so cool that we have two hours together—aside from first period…"

I slung my gym bag over my shoulder. "Yeah," I grinned.

Sarah was about to respond when she fell quiet and eyed the tall, slightly tanned, lean-yet-muscular eighteen year old boy with short chestnut brown hair and amber brown eyes as he approached us wearing a skin tight dark blue t-shirt, and deep gold basketball shorts that reminded me of my new eye color. "Oh my god, is he coming over here?!" Sarah hissed urgently as she gripped my left shoulder in a death grip. Thank god that Piece of Eden healed that shoulder, I thought gratefully.

Casey shot me a look that spelled trouble and I returned it with a mischievous smile. "Shouldn't he be?" I asked innocently as Joel was a few feet away.

Sarah just shook her head. "He's one of the hottest guys at our school!" Sarah was turning red and I was suddenly considering maiming her. "I mean, he never talks to anyone aside from a few of his friends. He recently started turning down every single one of the girls advances!" Sarah continued.

I smiled at that and Joel walked up to us (Sarah gasped), placed his hands on my hips and his lips found mine. "He's also my boyfriend," I smiled as I pulled away from Joel and looked at Sarah's shocked face. Joel gave Casey a one-armed hug and shook Sarah's hand.

"I'm Joel obviously, and you're…Sarah right?" his voice was smooth and polite. "I've seen you around school a few times." Sarah could only manage to nod and Joel kissed my forehead. "I'll see you girls in the gym?" he asked.

"Of course," I nodded and Joel went back to the gym.

I smiled as Joel walked away. He was another reason why I was attending high school for a second time. Even though we both were almost nineteen, he was held back a year in junior high (Assassin missions aren't exactly the safest after all). "Y-You're dating him?!" Sarah blurted before she could stop herself.

"Mhm," I nodded. "He was visiting some friends in New York a while back and we bumped into each other. We started talking, got to know each other, found out that we liked a lot of the same stuff, and we just…well, started dating," I offered.

Here's the truth: Joel and I met last year while at a ceremony for my deceased parents, I stared at him and he stared at me and I felt as though he was the one that was going to be with me. Long story short: First Civilization magic or whatever it is, works.

Sarah and Casey were chatting together most of the time about California and fashion (thank god that Sarah was more fluent in that language) as we walked to the gym; I kept my eyes alert for any Templar trouble but found none.

I was pulling my school issued dark blue and gold shorts on when Casey elbowed me. "Sister alert, twelve o'clock," she smirked as she took her hair out of the messy bun and pulled it into a sleek ponytail.

"Stai zitto (shut up)!" I hissed.

"Si può fare di meglio(you can do better)," she chuckled as she pulled a dark blue tank-top over her head. The schools colors were dark blue and gold. Kinda like that school with that runner last year… I wonder if she graduated last year or this year…

I flipped Casey the bird and Sarah stopped before she spoke again. I hastily grabbed my own tank-top and pulled it over my body.

Sarah blinked once before speaking. "Sorry to interrupt but we better get going. Mr. Jack isn't a patient man," she whispered, blushing.

I nodded and we walked out to see Mr. Jack talking with Joel. Sarah bumped into me and I noticed that she was wearing a white long sleeved shirt underneath her tank-top. "Something wrong?" I asked.

Sarah shook her head. "I'm fine."

Joel wrapped his arm around my waist and Casey stood on my right. Sarah was next to Casey, and looking slightly scared. I looked at Joel who gave me a questioning gaze.

"I think she's nervous about gym…" I whispered into his ear. Joel gave a muffled laugh and I promptly smacked him on the chest. "If things work out between us, Sarah is gonna be your sister-in-law someday, so you better behave," I murmured.

Joel nodded and Mr. Jack blew his whistle. "All right, we are going outside to do the obstacle course!"

Are you kidding me?! Groaning, Joel guided the three of us to the obstacle course and my eyes went wide. It looked challenging—for those that weren't Assassins. "Just don't show off," Joel mumbled as he released me and joined the boys.

"I'll try not to," I eyed the obstacle from start to finish.

Mr. Jack had us line up and unfortunately, I went first. "Don't eat the dirt!" Joel grinned as Casey was using the side of the fence to support herself as she laughed and Sarah looked slightly confused at Joel's outburst. Glaring at Joel, I waited patiently as Mr. Jack eyed me for a moment.

"Ready…set…GO!" Mr. Jack blew his whistle and I easily ran through the obstacle course. Again, I had to force myself to lose my grip and when I finished, I had a respectable time of 5 minutes and 10 seconds. Joel was next and he actually made it a point to fall on his back once or twice. I stifled a laugh and when he reached the end where I was, he wrapped me in a hug—covering my front with dirt and some woodchips.

"Nice job, Slick," I grinned as Joel hugged me gently. I had given him that nickname after the Arizona incident, since he was so damn sneaky and charming when he wanted to be.

"You didn't do so bad yourself, Kitten," he grinned. He gave me that nickname because he told me that I looked just as innocent as a kitten, but I held the hidden savagery of a pissed off mountain lion.

Casey joined us a few minutes later and I watched with boredom as the other kids went through the course with less-than-satisfactory results. Sarah was up next and she was literally shaking as she looked at the course.

"Em, why don't you go and talk to her, help her relax…" Casey whispered my nickname as a few boys were sizing Casey up. You guys really don't want to attempt to ask her out…

Nodding, I walked back to the beginning of the course and Sarah was paler than me! "Hey, you okay?" I asked as I placed a hand on her shoulder.

Sarah shook her head. "N-No, I'm not athletic and everyone always laughs at me!" she whimpered.

Sighing, I looked at her then the course. "Just relax. If you fall, you fall. Just brush yourself off and get back up and keep going," I offered her.

Sarah relaxed slightly and I made my way back to the other side. Joel was talking with Casey and they both smiled when I rejoined them. "Sorry that it took so long, she's like a hairless Chihuahua. Really timid—." I heard a thud and a small cry. "Mr. Jack, can I check on Sarah?" I asked.

He nodded and I walked parallel to the course and found Sarah on the ground, her head in her hands. "Sarah?" I whispered as I sat next to her.

"I-I can't do it! I'm not strong enough!" she sobbed.

I rubbed her back. "I'll cover for you—."

"How?" she asked.

I grinned and balled her left hand into a fist. "Cradle your hand to your chest. Act like it's sprained."

Sarah nodded and I stood up. "She's hurt!" As I said those words, Casey and Joel came running. "Sto mentendo (I'm lying)," I hissed lowly. Both of them nodded and helped Sarah to her feet. "She needs to see the nurse," I told the teacher.

Mr. Jack waved us away and the four of us ran to the gym and changed back into our regular clothes. I was grabbing my books when I felt someone tap my shoulder. Turning, I saw Sarah giving me a small smile. "Thanks. I don't know how I could ever repay you," she whispered.

"Don't worry about it. I'm just here to help."

"Qualunque cosa (whatever)," Casey growled.

Joel met us at the exit and we walked Sarah to the nurse as promised. Thankfully the nurse was an Assassin and gave Sarah a splint even though she didn't need it.

The rest of the day went by in an uninteresting blur and Casey I and were walking to our bikes (I finally got Casey to ride one and she loved it), when I heard someone calling our fake names. "Haley! Cassie!"

We both turned to see Sarah running at us. She almost tackled me to the ground but thankfully we caught her before she did. "What's up Sarah?" I asked as I removed my shades and placed them on top of my head.

She huffed. "I just wanted to say thanks for today. I think this is the first day in a long time that I actually enjoyed school," she smiled.

I giggled and I noticed Casey pressing her left ear. Heather was calling for us. "I'm glad," I nodded. "But Cassie and I have to get going. My aunt doesn't like it when we're late."

"Aunt?"

I froze and Casey nudged me. "Y-Yeah. My dad passed away a few months ago…" Well the time span was a lie, but my dad did pass away…

"Oh," Sarah frowned. "I'm sorry."

I shrugged and all three of us nearly jumped out of our skins as a car horn honked. We turned our attention to a silver Toyota and saw a woman with pale brown hair waving at Sarah. My gritted my teeth. "Who's she?" I growled.

"My adoptive mom," Sarah replied bitterly.

That brought me up short. "You hate her or something?" Casey asked.

Sarah shook her head. "No, she's cool and all, but she's seriously overprotective. She's always saying that if I see someone in a white hooded jacket or something that I should come straight home or whatever…"

She's always saying that if I see an Assassin… I translated in my head. "I'd love to meet her," I grinned as I glared at Sarah's adoptive mom. I put my hands behind my back and rubbed the make-up off of my ring finger and I turned Sarah around, flashing the tattoo at Sarah's adoptive mom. I saw the middle-aged woman's eyes widen then narrow. Sarah sprinted for the car and she waved as her adopted mother glared at me.

After the car pealed out of the parking lot, Casey and I mounted our bikes. "We have patrols tonight," she explained.

"Great, I need some stress relieving," I retorted as I shoved my helmet on. "Where are we patrolling?"

"Los Angeles, in the suburbs of it at least…"

I sighed. "Sarah's neck of the woods?"

Casey nodded and we activated our Bluetooth's. "Joel is gonna meet up with us too. I think since our little escapade in Arizona, William wants scouts and medical Assassins teaming up in threes."

I rolled my eyes as I turned down a random street that would take us to the condos. "It runs more of risk if you ask me… I mean, if we lost two Assassins, it wouldn't be such a big deal, but three? That's just stupid thinking…"

"I know, but the Templars are recovering…" Casey reminded me.

After the Arizona incident, the Templars had gone into hiding, licking their wounds like the dogs they are. But a few months later, they had begun to resurface, mostly in California for some reason…

"When we fight them in December, they will be gone…for good."

Casey laughed. "Just like old times…"