I sat on the edge of the fireplace, my skin still tingling from the long bath I'd just taken. The nightgown Meredith loaned me fit like a Snuggie and gave me extra cloth to wrap myself in. I tucked my legs under me and waited for Connor to come and speak with me. I hadn't seen him since he left me with Meredith. I was debating whether or not I even wanted to see him since he obviously thought I was nothing more than a street cat. The memory of him practically running towards her made me want to throw up the bread and cheese I'd been given for supper. I couldn't make sense as to why I was so upset or why I even cared. Over and over again I repeated to myself that this was all a fantasy but I just couldn't ignore the genuine feelings I was having. I was avoiding the inevitable but I at least had to try and keep the last bits of my sanity from disappearing forever.
"Ava? Are you still awake?" Connor's voice broke the silence and I looked up from my hands at the door. "Yep," I called back. "Not asleep just yet captain." The door opened and Connor entered the room, glancing around until his eyes rested on me. He didn't say anything as he walked across the room and sat on the edge of the fireplace beside me. We sat in silence, our breathing the only sound. The odd tension between us felt odd and almost electric. I glanced over at him to see his brown eyes staring at me intensely. I hadn't noticed until now that his black hair was wet and hung down, caressing his shoulders. Instead of his Assassins uniform he was wearing a long sleeve white shirt and black pants, his feet bare.
"You smell a lot better," Connor muttered. "Like lavender." I rolled my eyes but didn't relax. "I'll take that as a complement, you do too. You smell like…lavender as well." I snorted and glanced away so he wouldn't meet my eyes. He didn't smell like lavender, he smelled like himself. That wonderful scent of wild forests and untamed land. Connor chuckled and I regained my composure before turning back to him. He was still looking at me, waiting for something. I wasn't going to bring up Meredith, for all he knew I didn't have a problem with her. He would jump to conclusions and think I was jealous of her and that I had fallen in love with him. Maybe I was jealous but I didn't like him like that…or did I? God, no! I couldn't because he wasn't real! Get that in your head, Ava!
Connor cleared his throat beside me and I was startled back into reality. "What are you thinking so hard about?" His words echoed my own from a few nights ago when he had been lying awake most of the night. "Nothing, Connor. I mean I'm just confused and worried." I said, which was true. I was very confused, not just about him but everything else. Like how in the hell I'd gotten into this place and how I would get back. "Did Meredith tell you anything about my speaking with Achilles?" Connor asked hesitantly. I stiffened a little and shook my head no. "She didn't say a word. All she said was that you would explain everything to me." I didn't know why but it bothered me that Connor would share information about me with Meredith. For me, everything that had happened felt like it should stay between me and him, not some Native whore. Not that she was a whore, I just had to come up with some derogatory name for the bitch.
"Well, Achilles was a little more…forgiving when I told him the whole story. He seems to think that there is more reason for the Templars to pursue you." Connor said slowly, his eyes boring into mine making and me feel slightly uncomfortable. I stretched my legs out and looked down at my toes. "So he's saying that there must be more than me just ruining their plans to kill you. They want me for something else. Did he have any grand ideas to what that something could be?" I asked.
"Achilles didn't know but he thought you might. What have you been hiding from me, Ava? Do you work with the Templars? Tell the truth this time." His voice had gone cold. I slowly looked up to meet his icy glare, my heart skipping a beat. Achilles had obviously convinced him that I was a lying bitch. "I haven't been lying to you. That's the first time I've ever been near a Templar or an Assassin. I promise I'm not with them, I wouldn't dream of being apart of them. Connor you have to believe me that I have no idea what they would want out of me." I pleaded, tucking my legs back under my nightgown as if it was a shield that could block Connor's blows. "Please, believe me. If there is something they want from me I have no idea what it could be."
Connor sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Honestly, I feel like you are hiding something from me but I don't think you have anything to do with the Templars. I'll tell Achilles that I'm sure you aren't one but he'll want to question you himself. You're going to have to be very convincing. My mentor doesn't believe things very easily." He said. I relaxed, the fear gone that he would slit my throat or I'd been thrown out on the streets. "Thank you, Connor." I breathed. He glanced over at me, his expression still cold. "There is one more thing," He said. "I saw the way you glared at Meredith. I've noticed it for awhile now but I thought you might just outgrow it. You can't be in love with me, Ava. Just forget any feelings you have for me. What you think you feel is just childish lust. Don't try to create something that isn't there, okay?" Connor stood up and gave me a reassuring smile. "Goodnight Ava, I'll see you in the morning." He gave me a curt nod and walked out, closing the door shut behind him.
I sat there for a moment, debating on whether or not I should cry. He saw everything, of course he did. He was an Assassin, he was supposed to see everything. He saw something when I didn't even notice it. I'd fallen in love with him. I knew this, I'd known this all along but I had to ignore it and pretend that it didn't exist. Foolishly I had thought that maybe he would love me back and things would end happily like they did in books. But this wasn't a book or a game, this was real. I'd let myself get caught up in a childlike fantasy. Connor was right, I shouldn't have made something up that hadn't been there all along. But no matter what I told myself, no matter how many times I told myself that I never loved him or even liked him, I couldn't help the fact that my heart had left my chest and the world had turned upside down.
Shakily I made my way to the sofa. Achilles hadn't allowed me a room so I was to sleep in here. Meredith had laid out a blanket and pillow for me to sleep with. For once I was grateful for something she had done. I laid down and curled up under the blanket, willing sleep to come and take away all the pain. Thankfully it obliged and I drifted off into a well needed rest.
Someone was roughly shaking me. Whoever they were they needed to fucking stop before I dropkicked their ass. Couldn't they tell that I was sleeping? They wouldn't let up and soon they were talking. It was a male voice that sounded very familiar…Connor. It was Connor. My eyes snapped open the moment the memories from last night reappeared. I suddenly felt sick. "Ava! Damn it! Wake up!" He snarled. From what I could see he was already dressed in his Assassin's garb, weapons and all. I slowly sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "What do you want?" I hissed. He grabbed me by my left arm and yanked me up. I stumbled slightly and his grip tightened. "Breakfast is almost ready and you are the only one who isn't up. Meredith laid out some clothes for you now get dressed. When you're done, come find us in the dining room." Connor let go of my arm and stalked out of the room, slamming the door behind him. "Well, someone is in a pissy mood today." I muttered. I made my way over to an armchair that had some clothes laid across the back. I picked the top piece up and studied it, it was a pair of tight fitting black pants. The other things were a loose shirt and long coat. A pair of knee high brown leather boots were set neatly at the foot of the chair. My old clothes were placed on the table, my bra and underwear on top. I blushed, realizing that Meredith had cleaned my undergarments.
I hastily put on my new outfit. It all was a little loose but Meredith had thankfully given me a belt, the buckle the shape of the Assassin's insignia. It shone brightly in the sunlight, highlighting the engravings that were etched in the silver. "I'm wearing an Assassin's outfit." I whispered to myself. Somehow it wasn't as exciting as I had imagined it to be. Last night had soured everything about this place for me. I slipped on the thick woolen socks then the boots and made my way out of the room.
I walked deeper into the house, passing open parlors and closed doors. It wasn't hard to find the dining room, I just followed the smell of the food. Soon I could recognize bacon, eggs, and the sweet tang of syrup. I quickened my pace as my stomach growled greedily. I entered the next open parlor, finding this one to be the dining room. Just like the rest of the house it was very…posh. The drapes were thick dark green velvet and the walls were murals depicting a fox hunt. At the center of the room was a long mahogany table dressed with a fine table cloth and china. Achilles sat at the head of the table, Connor at his right and Meredith beside him. The old Assassin motioned for me to take the seat on his left. Grudgingly I did so, hating the fact that would have to stare at Connor throughout breakfast.
"How are you this morning Miss. Torry?" Achilles rumbled, turning away from Connor and Meredith's conversation to look at me. "I've been better." I sighed with a small smile. He frowned and I noticed Connor glance at me quickly then back to Meredith. "I'm sorry to hear that. But we should get on with the matter at hand. I was informed of your talk with Connor last night. Once again you told him that you have had no dealings with the Templars. While most of the time I believe my pupil's words I think at this time I must be the judge of whether or not you are innocent or guilty." He said bluntly. Damn what an asshat. "I guess that's fair." I shrugged, cringing as my shoulder stung. Once again I saw Connor glance over at me, this time his gaze lingering on my shoulder before he refocused his attention. My heart skipped a beat.
At that moment a door swung open behind us and a plump African American woman walked in juggling trays of food. She set them on the table and sat down beside Meredith before starting a conversation with Achilles. I dug in, hungry and actual breakfast. Connor and the whore Meredith dug in as well. For awhile I stayed out of the conversations. Achilles had his own with the woman who I found out was named Rose and Connor had his with Meredith. I happily ate, enjoying not having to have a conversation with the assholes at the table. But, of course, Achilles couldn't keep his mouth shut. "So, Connor," He started. "Since you didn't complete your contract like I asked you, you are to be doing rounds in the city until further notice." I slowly looked up at the room became very quiet. Connor was sitting stiff as a board with a death grip on his glass. "You mean, I'm going to be doing a novice's job because I saved someone." He snarled. His mentor gave a wry smile. "For all we know you could have saved a girl who was sent to kill us in our sleep." At this Connor laughed, leaning back in his chair lazily. "Fine, I'll do as you say." Achilles' smiled widened as if he knew something Connor didn't. "You'll be taking the girl with you as well. If she's going to be here let her do something useful."
Connor leapt up out of his chair, his fury almost tangible. "Mentor! You cannot be serious! You're going to make me drag around a child who is practically dead weight? Are you out of your mind? Do you not understand how difficult she is?" He shouted. I scowled, crossing my arms in disgust. "If I'm difficult then what the hell are you?" I scoffed. "Honestly, Connor, don't you see how impossible you are?" He leaned across the table but I didn't flinch away at his uncaring gaze. If he was going to be an ass then I'd be an ass. I couldn't stand him after what he'd done last night. If he wasn't careful the anger boiling in me would explode.
"Connor, you will do as I say. You have no choice in the matter. Once you are done with your meal then you are to leave and start the watch with her following. If she can't climb, teach her. Lets see what she can do before I make my decision." The old Assassin picked up his fork and began eating like nothing ever happened. For a few moments Connor sat there staring at me with hated. Then he suddenly got up and stomped out of the room, calling behind his shoulder for me to follow. It was going to be a long day.
