Heroes and Thieves

by SonataForMyOverdosedLover

Leonardo said that assassins and thieves don't mix.But they were not just that. He could do nothing but become a hero and she was meant to be the shadow of bad omens. He was not prepared to meet her; not then,not ever. But he would have missed her, still

20. to learn, to accept, to kill

a.n.: faints out of exhaustion. This is the longer chapter I have written; EVER! But it was to expect somehow because it may as well be the most clarifying chapter and probably the highlight of the story. As an informative note in this chapter will appear references to some moments from the chapter 'All the same' from Monteriggioni. Also, for those who are interested, the 'new' names or events you'll come across here are not randomly put but represent real historical elements.

On a more important note - thank you for all those who have left reviews across the story. You are the best!

All being said, I'll end this note and will go back at gazing at the sky of February, knowing that another year had just been added to my life.

Cheers.

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Capitolo Venti

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When they got inside Ezio looked at her from behind his mask. Her eyes were roaming with predatory speed all over the people and details of the inner court. Starting now he realized that whatever he was to do, he will present little interest to her. Proof was the fact that she went on without noticing that he had stopped behind.

He looked down at his chest and places a hand over the pocket. His heart was beating like mad and he had no idea why. He looked up to see her slipping through the rest of the guests. Had she felt it? And with the luck he was heaving she probably had, which was, in words put, embarrassing.

He coughed before stepping further after her.

He was ready to mix with the rest to reach her when a group of people blocked his way.

He looked up and for the second time the blood refused to reach his face. In front of him was none other than Mancini, surrounded by other people that, frankly, for Ezio now had no faces.

He desperately looked over the man's shoulder but Shiva had vanished like a ghost. Cursing her was not going to make her materialize right next to him, was it?

'Ha ha! You've made it, my dear friend!'

Dear friend? What was wrong with this man?

'Adriana, this young man here I've met during the carnavale. He is a distant member of the Malatesta family from Rimini and he is here to study the banking system in Venetia.'

Ezio stared at him with enormous eyes from behind the mask and he had to keep his face in check not to let his mouth open at the things his ears were hearing. What was this man talking about? He looked puzzled at the woman, probably his wife, well dressed and elegant even if the age had its marks on her. He instantly pitied her for her husband but she didn't seem that bothered.

Her hand brought up, palm down got him out of trance and licking his lips he clumsily bowed and took her hand to kiss.

'Piacere di conoscerla, signora.' (Pleased to meet you, my lady.)

When the woman blushed slightly Ezio knew that at least, even if he had no idea of what was going on, he still could charm the ladies.

'How are things in Rimini, dear boy? After the defeat Sigismundo took, people mustn't love him as before…'

Ezio stared at the man dumbfounded. What was he talking about? Was he referring to Sigismund Malatesta? The war at the Campomorto? But what on earth had he to do with it?

'Ahem…you see…'

This night was bound to be a long series of déjà vu, because for the second time his body felt like a land of exploration when a hand roamed up his arm and caught it in a hook. To his right Shiva slipped closer to his body.

'I thought I've lost you and here you are talking to lord Mancini! I must say I never believed you when you told me you've met him personally.'

Ezio blinked; just that. If there weren't eyes all on them he would have grabbed her and jerked reality into her. How on earth was she allowed to act so calm and ordinary when things were over their heads?

He looked at the hosts and caught a grimace on the woman's face. He followed the direction of her eyes and he realized that she was staring at Shiva's arm wrapped around his. And the suite of women behind her weren't looking much happier. He glanced back at Shiva. Was that what they looked like?

'Ah, and who is this enchanting lady?'

What was he to say?

'Alberto is my cousin.'

Ezio stared at her and whispered confused.

'Who is Al-'

But his mouth formed a line of pain and his eyes closed forcefully when her shoe collided with his ankle.

'I am currently hosting him, here in Venice.'

The elder woman laughed, for some reason visibly relieved, behind her lowered mask.

'Oh dear, you must be one of the luckiest women in Venezia.' At her joke everyone, man or woman started to laugh, for various reasons.

Shiva looked at Ezio, and hidden by her mask she raised an amused eyebrow at which Ezio was almost ready to growl but he was sure that his eyes had delivered the 'don't you make fun of that' message just fine.

The women launched themselves into a row of blatant jokes while the nobleman grinned his way but had to pay attention to one of his guests.

Ezio leaned towards her and tried to whisper as low as he could.

'Shiva….I know, I can't believe myself that I am doing this but...please get me away from here.'

The woman instantly grinned and without bothering to whisper she turned to him.

'Say please!'

Ezio looked around. Yes, people had heard that. He rolled his eyes.

'Please?'

At that she threw him a smile of victory and with the lightest laughter he had ever heard coming from her she looked back at the noble and his wife.

'Well, as you have seen I've been a terrible guide leaving my cousin all alone, so you will allow me to steal him from you for a tour around your beautiful garden.'

'Ah yes, feel free. And there is also the patio and the hall inside. I am sure there is something in my life long collection that will catch your heart.'

Ezio felt it: the low, sly vibration in her voice.

'I am absolutely sure about it.'

She bowed and waited for him to do the same before leaving.

'What the hell was that about?'

He hissed as silently as he could.

'What was what?'

'That! About Rimini and distant member of Malatesta.' The woman was eyeing him with sceptic amusement. 'The Alberto thing!'

'Oh that! I just came up with the name.' Ezio stared with disbelief at how unimpressed she sounded.

'You just came up with it!'

'Yes. And now that you put it that way, I guess that whatever you're talking about must be related with the story Madame invented for you not to raise suspicions. But Malatesta you say? That's a little bit too much even in my opinion.'

The man sneered.

'That's reassuring.'

She threw him a dirty look.

'What is that supposed to mean?'

'It means that whenever you agree on something I say it's a sign that I should start having serious doubts.'

'When Mancini said 'his life-long collection' he didn't joke about it. This half of the garden if holding valuable paintings and sculptures and so does the patio above. Then there is the great hall with the corridors.'

Ezio didn't know if he should feel relieved or annoyed that she hadn't been paying attention to him.

'I'll cover the patio. If you find something down here let me know.'

He nodded but he suddenly eyed her in a calculating manner.

'And what if you find it?'

She waited for him to end his idea.

'You won't go for it alone.'

'What? Of course not! Haven't you seen the number of guards patrolling around? If anything I will need a distraction!'

For some reason he had a feeling that on his face was written 'distraction' with the most stylised letters.

'You know what? Forget I even asked.'

With that he turned around and made his way through the nobles to inspect the garden.

In moments like this Shiva was easy to hate; and practical. Somewhere in the back of his head he knew it was for the best. He remembered how she deliberately let him know that she was going to leave and he couldn't do anything about it but realize how strange and unlike her it had been. He tried to picture the moment again because he knew that there was something about it that he was missing; or maybe it was just her way of saying goodbye and he was overanalysing it. But if one day, that moment would prove to be more than a simple conversation….

He reached the other end of the garden without any successful finding. He started to slowly pace around the end of the staircase leading to the patio asking himself if he should go upstairs after Shiva.

He took some steps behind and looked up, past the marble balustrade, covered in ivy.

His eyes wandered from a person to another until he caught sight of the rich colour of her gown.

There she was, stepping slowly along the length of the patio, between the group of people chatting and laughing. He was stating to lose her and almost panicked, he skipped past people around him, falling into her rhythm. He narrowed his eyes and didn't lose her out of sight. Like an eagle he registered every move on her way to the end of the patio. There was something that, no matter what, would never change about her. The easiness of her moves, their fluency. She moved as if she wasn't touching ground. It came down on him the acknowledgement that the cape from his father's secret room was the same with this elegant woman. There was something that no one and nothing could take away from her. Her elegancy; her crude, savage and cruel elegancy that she had been born with; she had it under that dark hood, she had it even when her clothes were drenched in water, she had it in her glares and in her anger; it was there, in her tears, under the weight of pain and caged in her body covered in scars. And now, it was like the piece de resistance in that empire of fine clothes.

His legs refused to move and he felt overwhelmed. His palms transformed into fists. She was there at the other end of the stairs with her head up, and he realized that he was seeing her from the same position as the rest of the men that were looking at her: with intrigue, fascination but fear and disheartenment.

There, in the sea of people he realized how wrong he had been and an involuntary feeling of jealousy overtook him. The only Shiva that he could reach was the one without a name, without a ground; the one wearing the cape and the one that was smoke to the eyes of others. Shiva, as she was now, was dignified and sumptuous. She was graceful and outstanding. She was far, cold and distant. She was almost baronial in her superiority and he suddenly felt stripped of any title, as simple as a peasant reaching too high. But this time it had nothing to do with ranks, positions or fortune. He felt lessened, guilty and caught committing a crime of morality. In front of the world… in front of his family.

Her eyes have been looking around and his jaw clenched, knowing what she had been searching for the moment they stopped on him and never left. With her natural unreadable expression she stared at him. He closed his eyes and swallowed. He promised himself to never forget this night and the feeling of doom that it had seeded deep inside of him. He gathered the courage to open his eyes and realize that the only world that was crumbling was inside his mind and people were in reality still laughing and dancing in that festive garden. His feet started to move again and he effortlessly made his way up the stairs. Whatever had been out there crushing him and making him an insecure person was going to end tonight.

He stopped next to her and she shook her head. The man leaned closer to keep their conversation private.

'I'll take the right corridor; the left one is yours. We'll meet in the hall.'

She simply nodded and he was glad. For the time being he didn't want to hear her voice.

He crossed the patio in haste and entered the corridor. Paintings were hanged on the walls, and jewelry and old artifacts were protected in glass boxes on massive pedestals. Few people were gazing at various objects and guards were occasionally seen at the other end of the corridor. He walked further throwing a glance at each glass.

He was halfway to the hall when something caught his eyes. And contrarily to what Shiva would have approved of, it had nothing to do with the codex page; or with any object in the house for the matter. There, in front of a painting, one of the most fragile looking persons he had ever set eyes on, turned around and smiled his way. She was young, 18 or 19 but she was beautiful and that sweet smile adorned the features of her face.

'Are you lost, signore?'

Her words didn't quite reach his ears but he nodded his head out of instinct.

'I am sorry, what?'

She giggled. 'I asked you if you were lost.'

'Ah, no, no; just…captivated.'

She looked at him with innocent confusion but the smile never left.

'I was referring to the painting.'

The girl turned around, her eyes lingering on the soft features of the painted Virgin.

'I know. She's beautiful.'

Ezio smiled and turned his attention to the painting as well. What on earth was he doing? She looked so innocent and he knew what kind of rascal of a man he was.

'Are you a guest of Mancini?'

'Yes.'

She smiled and looked at her feet.

'It might sound out of place and outrageous for a young woman to say this but…. would you like to have a dance with me later?'

His face beamed at her sudden offer.

'What? Outrageous? It should have been me the one to ask such a sweet signorina to a dance.'

Her cheeks reddened but she had no problem in meeting his eyes. 'Great! Usually people at parties go on with how a woman should patiently and virtuously wait for a man to come and ask her.'

Ezio grinned at the sudden talkative side of her. 'If I'll tell you a secret, will you keep it?'

Her green eyes grew with curiosity and she nodded. 'Of course.'

'If you would have said that to me years ago I might have just agreed with them. But now I know that a woman who knows what she wants is far more impressive than those who sit in the background.'

For a moment she simply gazed at his face but then her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm and her charming smile found its way back to her lips.

'And what is the name of the person who blessed me with such a beautiful smile?'

The girl bit her lips and was about to answer when a devious low voice rang through the corridor.

'Oh, Alberto! I think I am in love!'

Like on fire he stepped back from the girl and watched over her shoulder, searching for the currently odious owner of the voice. Shiva was in the hall, right at the end of the corridor, in front of a box with what Ezio could clearly distinguish as jewels. She looked up from the glass and at him with a guileful smile on her face.

'You should definitely come and see this.'

He frowned at her mean amusement and then turned at the girl. She was eyeing Shiva with careful eyes and her cheeks were deepening in the colour of red.

He felt like an idiot. That's why his laughter sounded so gauchely.

'She- he he….She umm…' he remembered Shiva's words. It had been so simple for her to come up with that lie so why would he have a hard time playing along and tell the girl that Shiva was just his wicked, obnoxious, deranged, infuriating and loathsome cousin? He should just do that and not look like a prick.

He smiled. 'She's with me.'

He started to back away, turning after some steps to continue to the woman but his head would still turn to see the girl he was leaving behind. He was a jerk and he had one person to thank for that. But as he was approaching each and every thought of any possible dispute was vanishing. Ezio reached Shiva but instead of stopping he continued inside the hall. He stared at the wall in front of him, and then back to Shiva. Still confused he retreated until he was next to her. Shiva was staring at the jewels in the box.

'Umm…I believe you saw it, didn't you.'

For some unknown reason he stared at the same necklace covered in sapphires.

'Of course I did.'

'Then why are we standing here?'

'I don't care if you have a thing for fame but I rather skip the part where posters with my face are pinned all over the city's walls.' Her eyes lifted to watch the pair of guards chatting in one of the corners of the hall. 'Calling for you to see the future missing codex doesn't sound that smart if you ask me.' He watched her from the corner of his eyes. Her fake attention was yet again on the jewels.

'So what is your plan?'

She grinned. 'Who said I had a plan?'

'Are you saying that the great shadow thief doesn't have a plan?'

She looked at him and comically raised an eyebrow.

'I appreciate it but at times you do think too highly of me.'

Their conversation was interrupted by two older women passing behind them.

'What kind of speech do you think lord Mancini will hold this time?'

'I don't know; something grand and full of nonsense, like the last time, to bore his guests. To tell you the truth, I would be so much more interested in hearing how he cheats on his poor wife.'

'He has a mistress?'

'Ha, what mistress? My husband told me that...you know, he likes to play with little boys.'

The women exploded in a nervous giggle.

Ezio watched them continuing their walk down the corridor. He had almost forgotten what hive of gossips aristocratic parties were.

'And there is our plan.'

He looked back at Shiva.

'Stealing the codex page during his speech?' He eyed her amused. 'Aren't you an opportunist.'

Shiva met his eyes. 'Of course I am. You can't expect to have a plan and wish everything to go according to it. And seriously now, I am a thief; opportunism is one of the most innocent 'qualities' I possess.'

He smiled while she returned to the jewels. At times like this Shiva wasn't half bad as a partner.

'Oh, and the girl you were trying to woo...'

'I was not wooing anyone!'

But his eyes involuntarily searched for the girl in the place he had left her. She was nowhere to see.

'Whatever. She is Mancini's niece.' The woman grinned and Ezio rolled his eyes at his own luck. Shiva looked at him. 'Her name is Carla.' And her tongue languorously hit her teeth while she let the name roll out.

He frowned and he swore that she was no better than a teasing older brother. His own thoughts caught him off guard and he pretended to look around at paintings, objects and people.

His eyes were trained and he couldn't overlook the glances that people were throwing at them and the exchange of whispers.

He glanced back at Shiva but her attention was on the blue stones. He looked down at the velvet cushion inside the box, at the edge of the pedestal and even lower to the expensive boots he was wearing. His eyes skipped again to Shiva's and then to her romantic pained lips.

'Why did you say we were cousins?'

She didn't bother to look up.

'We're not exactly look alike to pass by as brother and sister. And anything romantically related would have caused serious suspicions.' She glanced at him amused by her thought. 'We don't quite portrait the image of a loving couple…' Her smile grew '…with you hitting on other, younger, ladies…' He dismissed her teasing and returned to stealing glances at the other guests who were shamelessly having them as a subject of their gossip. He sighed. A glance at the envious looks of those people and at their bitter whispers would have proven the contrary to Shiva. He pitied her; for as much knowledge she had, she was a disaster when it came to people.

Next to him she sighed.

'We should go outside.'

Without answering he stepped away and waited for her to come. Before leaving the woman tapped the glass.

'Shame; I really liked these.'

They made their way to the patio and looked around. People were chatting, drinking, and pleasing each other with compliments.

'How long 'till midnight?'

The man looked around. 'I don't know… some good minutes I think.'

He looked around. 'We should let Mancini start his speech so the corridors will empty.'

The woman nodded. 'Alright… see you then.'

'Why? Where are you going?'

But he stopped when she pointed with a nod somewhere in the garden below. He followed her gaze and found the girl from earlier chatting with some of her friends but stealing glances at him from time to time.

He grinned but still caught sight of Shiva shaking her head disapprovingly. With a smile she stepped away and left him alone to go to the girl.

He stepped down and crossed the garden. The young woman noticed him and turned, expecting him. When he got closer the other girls stepped away giggling and whispering.

'It looks like we meet again, signorina Carla.'

The girl was at first surprised.

'You've learned my name, signore.'

'I had to; no matter what.'

The girl laughed and Ezio was thankful for it.

'I also have to ask you to forgive me for the sudden disappearance.'

'Oh, don't worry. I understand.' She stopped to bite her lips. 'Your cousin is a beautiful woman.' Ezio felt the urge to ask what cousin but realized that the girl was talking about Shiva.

'I see that you have also learned about me.'

'Just things…that reached my ears.'

'I am convinced.'

They shared a witty smile.

Then her eyes skipped past his shoulder. He turned around to see what had caught her attention.

Shiva was on the patio, alone, hands on the balustrade, standing out in the sea of people, looking down in the garden as if she were a Sphinx.

'She's graceful.' Ezio looked at the girl and unlike the time in the corridor her admiration wasn't clouded by envy. Women were curious creatures. 'And beautiful…'

Ezio looked back at Shiva and grimaced.

'She's not that… beautiful.'

The girl laughed.

'You don't have be modest about your cousin.'

Ezio looked her in the eyes.

'I wasn't. She's just not beautiful.'

The brunette stopped from laughing at his plain voice and watched him with concern. Even for him the tone sounded a bit too forced. He shook his head and looked back. His eyes traveled down along the staircase and caught sight of a tall man staring directly at her. He was expecting the poor man to look away at some point, like all the others were but this one continued to stare with intensity. Ezio went back to Shiva and followed her eyes. He knew that if she were to look at the man she would do what she does each time – stare bluntly and give the wrong message. It was a good thing that Shiva was ignorant when it came to people.

Please don't look down, please don't l- too late.

She had sensed the man's eyes on her and now she was gazing directly at him. Ezio frowned when the man straightened and without even excusing himself in front of the people he was talking to, he left and made his way to her.

He inspected the man. He was tall, with an agile construction, short blond hair, in his twenty, elegantly dressed and not bad looking.

'Oh, that's Pietro Foscari. He is one of the nephews of Francesco Foscari and as if his titles and fortune weren't enough he's good looking too.'

She giggled and looked around to prove her point with various women who were not leaving him out of sight.

'He's…ok I guess; nothing to brag about.'

The girl laughed yet again and got closer to him.

'What does he do?' Ezio analyzed him from head to toe, determined to find his flaws.

'He's the head of the Venetian city guard.'

Ezio nodded absentmindedly until the words sank.

His head snapped at the girl.

'He's what?'

The woman looked at him puzzled.

'He's the…'

'No, no, no….I heard that the first time.' He put both of his hands on her shoulders but he was eyeing with pure horror the two, up in the patio.

As much as he was enjoying seeing the man engaged into a discussion to which Shiva was barely according any attention he had to get rid of that man before he would complicate their mission.

'Is there…something wrong?'

The assassin looked back at the girl, as if he was trying to find an excuse in her eyes.

In the same time he felt people around him fretting. Probably Mancini was preparing for his speech. He looked over his shoulder. The man was currently distracted by a group of men that were engaged in a talk. It was his chance to do something and let Shiva know of whom she was speaking to.

'Ummm… will you excuse be for a second? I have to solve something with…my cousin.'

The girl watched him in confusion but nodded.

Before leaving, Ezio smiled.

'I didn't forget of that dance so don't run too far'"

He was pleased when the girl relaxed and smiled.

Now that he had things sorted, he ran at the base of the patio. He could see Shiva's back from down there. After he looked around and made sure that no one was watching him he tried to capture her attention.

After a short whistle he realized it wasn't the best idea so he let various inconspicuous 'psst'.

It didn't take long for Shiva's fine hearing to capture them and step back by the balustrade.

She shook her head questioningly.

Ezio pointed up and behind her at the man's back in the background. She looked over her shoulder and pointed with her elegant finger at him in confirmation.

Happy that she got the message Ezio nodded and let his mouth mime the word 'guard'. Shiva's eyes narrowed, waiting for him to spell it again. The man sighed and tried yet again but she shook her head as a sign that she couldn't understand.

With a heavier sigh he thought of another way. So he brought his hands up and framed the coat of arms of the Venetian guards. Her face twisted even harder in confusion. Little by little Ezio became infuriated and he made sure that his cursing was visible through the grimaces he was making.

He looked around for ideas, then he pointed at her. Her own finger got up and did the same. He nodded and with one hand he showed two fingers running away like feet. Then his other hand pointed at the man behind her, only for Shiva to do the same. With that hand he started to chase his first one but when he looked up Shiva was a serene image of puzzlement.

His movements became abrupt and in a burst of anger he brought his hands above his head and drew the guard's helmet.

Suddenly there was some sort of understanding in Shiva's expression and she leaned forwards, arms on the banister. He modeled a long weapon in his right hand and copied the straight position of a patrolling guard. Shiva leaned even more as if she was almost, almost getting it but not there yet. Instead of yelling at her he let his frustration off though his explosive gestures and pointed at her how he, the guard, was going to throw her to the ground and have her neck.

Huffing exhausted he finally looked up to see the woman with her hand underpinning her chin, one enormous and terrible amused smile barely hidden behind her spread fingers.

Then it hit him; like a fatal blow it hit him. Not only she had gotten the message from the very beginning but she had also played a fool out of him. Petrified, his eyes miserably glanced around under an unstoppable force only to see with dread and mortification the amusement written on the faces surrounding him. When he look back up at her it was only to see how Shiva was barely contenting her laughter.

'You ill-natured woman!' And with her deep laughter she spun around sending him in a free run up the stairs, after the floating blue ghost, past people and without concern that the host was about to start his speech. He ran down the corridor, faster than her, almost reaching her at the other end. When she turned to the right he sprinted and launched himself to grab her but when his eyes focused and he heard a yelp he realized that he was holding another woman by her dress and arm.

When said woman started to hit him with her fan he simply threw her away from his eyesight, frenetically looking around for Shiva. One masculine voice rang to his left words of expecting an excuse and other reproaches. Acting under his fidget he snapped his head at him and with a single glare he silenced the man. From there he stomped further into the hall, biting his lower lip in concentration. She had to be somewhere around there. He smiled at the irony of his thoughts and situation. Use your surroundings in your advantage she used to say and now her own weapons were turned against her. Looking in the mirror to his right he caught sight of her gown behind one of the marble pillars. He approached it slowly knowing that she was going to hear him anyway. Ezio stopped and put a hand on the opposite side from where she was. He knew that if he was to twirl one way she would escape in the opposite direction. Instead he looked at the glass that was keeping safe an old torn letter. The glass of the box was reflecting the image caught by another glass on the opposite wall of the hall. He had Shiva in his eyesight. In an instant he launched to his right and even faster he pivoted to his left and blasted off after the mess of floating material that had sprinted in the same direction. He caught her and surprised she let out a high row of laughs while she spun out of his grip.

He sighed and watched her running away backwards. He was about to go after her when he froze. From the corridor behind her stepped out the same annoying guy from earlier. He watched in horror thinking that she will collide with him but in the last moment she spun around and stopped right in front of the man.

He had no idea what words they exchanged but the man ended by offering his arm which she accepted. Before they disappeared back in the corridor she glanced his way and grinned victoriously.

Looking around, there were few people around, most of them already outside for Mancini's speech. He walked down the other corridor and exited to the patio. The man was between two statues of Greek goddesses, with a glass in his hand thanking for the presence of his guests. He found Shiva somewhere on the stairs at the other end of the patio, having mister head of the guards next to her, whispering things into her ear. He continued to look around from time to time checking the corridor. Minutes passed like this and it seemed that everybody was outside. He looked back at where Shiva was supposed to be but the spot was occupied by other people. He leaned over but there was no sight of her in the garden. He frowned when he saw Foscari with some of his friends but no sign of the woman. Slowly, not to be noticed, he backed away and turned into the corridor. Tracing his way back into the hall he was not surprised at all to find Shiva working at the lock of the glass container of the codex page.

'It took you long.'

'Sorry, I was busy waiting for a sign.'

She simply puffed.

Ezio eyed with interest the already infamous needles in her hands.

'Where did you keep those?'

'You'd be amazed how many things the crinkles of this dress can hide.'

He paced around and grinned.

'A man?'

She interrupted her work to glare at him.

'Poison.'

He concentrated to think away the image of poison between her legs. He looked down the corridor; soon after, he frowned.

'I think someone's coming.'

'Take care of them.'

He fully turned around and disappeared behind one of the pillars to face directly the corridor.

'Shiva…. I have to clarify something about our partnership.' He spoke solemnly.

'What?'

But he didn't answer immediately.

'I feel used.'

Of course he had been humorous about it but it struck him how instead of her irritated reactions of dismissing him, she laughed.

As he made his way to the corridor he thought how natural and calm they interacted under circumstances like these: both of them, against dozens of armed guard that could have their heads at any time.

He had to blink when he saw none other than Carla promenading out of the corridor. A guard wouldn't have represented any problem in silencing him. This was bad. Of course the woman noticed him and stopped. Ezio had to think fast before the girl would sidestep and risk spotting Shiva.

He marched at her and immediately spun her around.

'What are you doing here?'

The girl looked at him a little scared because of the way he had launched towards her.

'I could ask you the same.'

'I…' He looked over her shoulder. Why couldn't Shiva be faster? 'I…came here to see the painting once again. It reminded me of you.' He clenched his jaw. Shiva will probably tease him for the rest of the time they'll spend together because of that cheesy line. But regardless, it seemed to work on the girl as she was starting to loosen up.

'Now it's your turn.'

She looked away embarrassed. 'I …didn't feel like listening to my uncle's discourse.'

'Fairly understandable.'

He smiled and she giggled in a thankful manner.

He was thinking of ways of keeping her focus on him when another row or steps, more heavy, were coming though the corridor.

'Who can it be this time?'

He realized he had voiced his question when the girl answered him.

'Probably my uncle's guards.'

'Guards?'

'Yes…'

Instantly he grabbed her by the middle and pushed her closed to the pillar. He looked into her eyes seductively.

'What are you doing?'

He leaned over her shoulder and whispered in her ear. 'I wish I would know.'

The guards stopped in the doorway and Ezio, still with the back at them, stepped a little to the right, fully hiding Shiva out of their sight. The woman stopped and looked over her shoulder at him. He spelled her to move faster and she had the impertinence to 'hmph' him away.

Ezio tilted his head and glanced at the two men. They were frozen in the doorway.

'Signorina Carla!'

The girl red as the dress she was wearing threw them an angry but extremely embarrassed glare.

'What are you standing there for?'

At her words they started to babble and bowing repeatedly they excused themselves, turning around and leaving as fast as they could.

Ezio let out a relieved sigh but he still couldn't chase away the fact that he had abjectly used the girl like a miserable man.

'Thank you.'

'What for?'

He was spared from a humiliating moment by the powerful claps coming from outside.

Suddenly the brunette's face beamed and her hand went down to grip his.

'Uncle finished. He'll announce the beginning of the dances. Come on.'

Before he had the time to say anything the girl started to pull him away from the pillar and towards the corridor.

He looked behind at the glass box on the wall and frowned. Shiva was not there anymore; but the codex page was.

He let himself dragged, confused and focused on his own theories of what was happening. Ezio saw faces, masks and dressed pass him by as he was swimming through the sea of people, lightened only by the candelabras and fireworks above their heads. He found himself in the middle of the garden with the high sounds of violins singing out a lively tarantella. The grip on his hand tightened and he looked down at the girl by his side. She circled around him and he spun, his eyes searching faces from behind his mask.

Then he saw her. In the wheel of people participating at the dance, there she was, one hand holding the mask and the other one gripping the dress in her twirls.

He steadied his grip on the girl's hand and with sure steps he moved closer in the rhythm of the mandolins, through the other dancers. His eyes followed the gesture of Shiva's slender arm after she let go of the dress, to the firm hand where she laid hers. He saw the pale blue sleeve of the man's doublet adorned elegantly with pearls; he saw him pass his hand around her lower back and spin her around.

Ezio bowed and took the girl in front of him by her hands and spun forcefully through the people. He looked up again but dancers were keeping Shiva out of his sight. With one more step he was ready for the next part. He smiled down at the brunette and with both hands on her middle he lifted her and performed a pirouette. He put her down. And exchanged partners.

His hands rested on the new, thin middle, as gently as he could while his legs got weak at realizing how big and powerful his hands were against the thin veil of the sottana, folding against his palms and almost letting her skin show when pressed against her body.

He looked up and overcame his moment of perdition.

'What happened?'

But she voiced back his question.

'What happened?'

Her hand searched his and guided him through the dance.

'The codex?'

'Got it.'

Her face was covered by the mask and the mystifying light of the fireworks was making his heart beat unreasonably fast. He snapped his hand from hers while she circled him, and tried to stop it from shaking against his own chest. What was happening to him? He had to talk. He needed to talk.

'But I saw it.'

They stepped by each other's side.

'That's an empty copy I took from Leonardo.'

'Where is it now?'

She stopped in front of him and smiled. In the darkness of the night he had no control over his hand that was on its way to her red mouth and the mole at its corner but it was thankfully stopped by hers before it was too late. She stepped closer, following the steps of the tarantella and he froze when he felt her guide his hand under the gown, on her thigh. There, the round metallic form of the codex page was cupped by his hand. She grinned once again and waited for him to pass her by and come back again through her right. He did just that and his hands were back again on her middle. He raised her up, as high as he could and watched her letting down her mask. The woman threw her arms around his neck and laughed; she laughed as he had never heard her before.

'I am terribly happy.'

He put her down and turned to his right to his original partner. So she seemed. He smiled again for the brunette but in his dance he looked over his shoulder after the tall woman. The dancers changed and changed and changed again. Ezio was back to back with Shiva.

'How so?'

In the dance they spun and were now facing each other. Instinctively he glared at her partner.

'Something got my interest.'

Before he had the chance to ask further Foscari pulled her away again.

Ezio turned back to his partner and let a weak smile form on his face.

'I am all yours now.'

The girl smiled back and danced him to the rhythm of the tarantella.

That is how Ezio spent the next minutes. Heated by the dances he eventually retreated accompanied by the young woman. They laughed a little exhausted and moved to a secluded part of the garden so they could enjoy the chilliness of midnight. From time to time he would look in the crowd only to catch sight of Shiva and next to her the same man.

'Thank you for the dance.'

Carla had been thanking him again and again since they detached themselves from the rest of the people.

Ezio laughed considering how sweet the girl was.

'So, I take that you are your uncle's responsibility each time your father is away.'

She laughed. 'Something like that.'

'Signor Alberto, can I ask you something?'

He still had to get used to that name even though he desperately wished he didn't

'What is it?'

'Do you have a fiancée?'

He looked at her in bemusement.

'No.'

The girl glanced at him coyly.

'Are you…a ladies' man?'

Ezio chortled and looked thoughtfully at this girl who possessed such an innocent curiosity.

'Who knows? Maybe I am.'

It took him by surprise when after a moment of silence her face expressed sincere excitement. And for a second there was a smart smile that he knew that one day will define her entirely.

'Then I guess I should thank you.'

'What for?'

'Because, besides your cousin, I've been the only person you have spent the night with.'

He looked at her but his mind was listening again to her words. He let a scrappy smile make its way to his face and involuntary he looked over the girl's head, to the people gathered in the garden. He scowled when Shiva was nowhere to see; neither was Foscari. The man closed his eyes trying to erase the obsessive thoughts out of his head and concentrate on the girl besides him. She was indeed beautiful and he had been unfair to her all night. What he hated the most was that he couldn't help it. It was beyond his control. And his hatred was slowly transforming in fear and panic.

The assassin looked through the ivied bars of the wrought fence and outside, at the dark street. He wondered how many years had passes since he had last taken part at an event like this.

This night was an exception and there were more than one reason why he would never forget it. He was aware that moments like these, where he had not to worry about who he was, what he was, will no longer find their place in his life. And, truthfully, he even felt out of place. There was no joy or thrill, no innocence as what his adolescent mind used to perceive. He was now estranged, misplaced; sure, with the right clothes and the perfect words people like these were more than ready to accept him; but all this wasn't him anymore. He had seen and went through far too many faces of the same world – darker, grimmer, lurid. And he learned that, these people, surrounding him now, as beautifully they were keeping themselves they could also possess the ugliest souls.

He glanced at the girl who was watching with curious fascination the people gathered there. Suddenly he felt the urge to raise his hand and caress her well-arranged hair. So he cupped one of the brunet tresses. The girl looked at him surprised and he was sure that she had seen through his uneasy soul because she answered him with her warm, assuring smile.

The spell was broke by the rising fret among the guests.

Ezio looked around to confirm that indeed something was happening. He was about to step forward when from the wall of people emerged the blue mirage and passed by him, passing her hand along his back and arm.

'Run!'

Ezio looked after her and then snapped his head at the guards stumbling out in the patio.

'Thief! Thief! We've been robbed!'

People were beginning to panic.

'Ezio!' He turned to face her.

She had stopped not very far from the exit, realizing that he hadn't been following. His glower disappeared when he realized that her face was nothing like her demanding voice; it was troubled, it was weak, surprised and expectedly.

Damn it.

Without giving another thought he pushed away and into the arms of other people the guards that were making their way through the garden and sprinted after her.

She turned around and floated through the doors of the garden, past the two guards. When they prepared to run after her Ezio gripped them by the collar and crushed them into the walls. He jumped down the stairs and reached her. He grabbed her hand and when more armed guards emerged through the opened door he pulled her down an alley to his left. They ran without exchanging a single word with the sound of heavy metallic footsteps right behind them. Eventually they ended into a crossroad of narrow alleys and Shiva slipped out of his grip. He turned around, using his assassin's skill to see how far behind their pursuers were.

He couldn't believe when she exhaled but between her breathing he could hear chuckles of amusement.

'You find this funny?'

The man turned around but found himself all alone.

'Al diavolo, Shiva!' (To hell, Shiva!)

He didn't waste one more second and ran to the alley to his right. How could she? He felt fury built up inside and he felt like a fool; giving everything up for her, for her stupid caprices, because she probably couldn't keep the hands to herself. In his run he crushed his fist against the wall and dragged it, leaving a smarting pain. To think that she even impressed him, standing there and asking for him. And now she fled without even as much as a kick to let him know. He ran to the end of the alley and realized he had reached an open market.

He looked around the place flooded in silence.

'Shiva!'

But there was no answer. Just darkness.

He clenched his teeth in anger.

His senses heightened when he heard steps furiously approaching from somewhere to his left; rapid, light steps. It was her. Soon the steps were echoing from the nearby alley into the marked and a melodious laughter sent cold chills down his spine. An abrupt sensation of dizziness clutched him and he searched support on the cold wall. When the blue veiled vision materialised from the alley, moments and memories converged and he found himself years back, on his last Mardi Gras in Florence; there was a girl next to him, her back on the wall; he could remember her but not her face. It was late that night and they had run away from the festival. And then, in the silence of the streets he heard the sound of steps, running. There was laughter, like silver coins against the pavement; a mess of dark green emerged from the alley near them and the long arm dragged her companion. The dress flew in her twirls and her laughter echoed through the Florentine streets.

The young man laughed after her and Ezio remember the happy face of his elder brother as he turned and locked eyes with his.

'Ha! Ha! Fratellino! You left some charming ladies looking for you at the carnavale!'

The young woman stepped back closer to him and gripped both his hands dragging him once again.

Ezio couldn't see her face. It was dark and all he could distinguish was the light colour of her hair.

The man roared at her laughter and unclasping one of his hands he waved to Ezio, letting himself dragged further away.

'Federico, come on!'

'Come on!'

The echoing voice broke the veils of his numbness. Ezio closed his eyes and gasped out of the memory. When he opened his eyes he faintly registered the woman disappear down the stone stairs to a lower street along the docks.

'It was you….' He giddily stepped towards the stairs. That night, back in Florence, the reason why he had restlessly tossed in bed it had been…

'Ezio!' Her laughing voice ripped him from that surreal feeling. He could vaguely discern her form at the end of the stairs. 'You're lagging! Venice prison doesn't provide comfortable beds, you know!'

The situation came back to him like a sack of bricks and his feet started to jump the stairs three at a time.

Once he made it down he sprinted after Shiva, who was already ahead of him. In a moment he saw her stop and look down the alley to her right. She started to step backwards, keeping her dress above the ground with both her hands and staring in the darkness of the alley.

'E-ee-eee-Ezio!'

He heard it: the metallic sound of running guards. He instantly added power into his feet and launched himself ahead, his arms easily finding their way around Shiva's middle and hips, lifting her up and throwing her over his shoulder. Not a second did he stop and Shiva yelped in her laughter when he ran right past the guards. One of them made the effort of stretching his arm but she gripped it and pulling him closer she hit him in the head with her fist. The woman straightened herself with her hands on Ezio's shoulder and looked at the man tumbling to the ground. Her laughter intensified as they were pulling a distance from their chasers. For Ezio it was easy: the guards were covered in the metal of their armours while Shiva had an insignificant weight.

He felt her taking her hands from his shoulder and realized too late that she had funnelled them at her mouth.

'Escargots! Je plains vos femmes! Si vous courez comme ça je ne veux pas penser comment vous faites l'amour. Allez vous faire foutre, bande de connards !' (You snails! I pity your wives! If this is how you run I don't even want to think of how you make love. Up yours, you bunch of assholes!")

'Shiva!'

Ezio looked up at the row of audacious insults the woman was shouting.

Still laughing the woman put her hands down on each of his shoulders, one of them at the base of his neck, her thumb tracing up to his jaw, and smiled at him.

'Quoi? (What?) Even an 11 years old sprog can run faster than them.'

She looked up again.

In his run he lowered his face in a hybrid caress along her hand. Damn. He burst into a loud guffaw. Her damn laughter was more contagious than plague.

'You are a mad woman!'

He felt her look down at him and glanced at her and her rich smile.

'Je sais!' (I know)

At her light laughs he synchronized his.

'Head down.'

At once she lowered her body and wrapped her right arm around his neck while he passed under a loggia.

'Shiva! I can't see… or breathe either.'

Eyelevel with him, she grinned showing her teeth and brought her arm tighter. He had to crane his neck backwards.

'Shiva!'

The woman laughed and took her arm away, resting her hand on his shoulder. She looked up.

'Left! Turn left!'

Ezio executed but found himself in front of a dead-end alley.

'No-no-no-no! My left!'

He turned yet again and grinned at the adrenaline seeing the guards far behind.

He sprinted down a large street.

'Put me down.'

He let her to the ground and she took him by the hand dragging him from there along one of the walls.

She stopped in front of an ivied wall and pulling the green layer she revealed a narrow passage.

'This way.'

She slipped inside and he followed. The other end led them to a canal. Shiva hugged the wall and stepped on the thin edge. Ezio chuckled and did the same.

'You do this on daily basis'

'I do worse…. dressed properly.'

'Don't start.'

But she simply laughed and finally stepped to safe ground.

She ran up the stone stairs to an upper level and they continued into the darkness of Venezia.

It was no doubt that they had long exited the rich district of Venezia and were now in a poor part of the city.

Her high heels hit the pavement at a hurried pace. Ezio looked behind him and the crinkles of dark blue swayed around him as Shiva spun to have a better look.

He took a deep breath after their aimlessly run.

'Do I now get to know why we've been running like madmen to this…' looking around at the poor, raffish area they ended in, he continued a little discouraged 'obscure… shady… privy place.'

The woman found a second in her high alert observance to roll her eyes.

'…because I would really appreciate to know if I did the right thing by following your orders like a puppy or if I just kicked away my chance to spend a lovely night next to that enchanting signorina.' He had meant it as a joke but when he realized that Shiva wasn't even pretending to listen to him he got a little mad.

'What did you steal to infuriate the personal guards like that?' He breathed exhausted. 'A bit of self-control wouldn't bring you any harm.'

She turned to him, hands on her hips, and puffed a ringlet of her hair away from her face. But sooner than expected they heard a new set of steps running their direction.

'Merde! Don't these guys ever give up? Does he have an entire army?'

'No, he has a private troop.'

He was about to consider running again when he saw Shiva exhale heavily and grimace.

'Is your foot ok?'

He heard a 'no' coming through her teeth but before he had the chance to offer to carry her again he found himself thrown off the street. He narrowed his eyes incredulously at Shiva.

'What was t-'

Ezio had no time to end his sentence as the woman gripped both of his arms and spun him around, pining herself between his body and the stone handrail, safe from the dim light of the moon. Ezio looked behind her into the lower street.

'If this fails and those guys stop, you do something.'

Ezio stared at her trying to understand what she was planning.

'Do what? They are armed to their teeth and I have just my fists.' He said as a matter of fact. Even under these conditions Ezio realized that they just couldn't help not being at each other's throats.

'Do you always have to solve problems with your fists? Oh, sorry – at times you use your dick too. If you start a fight by tomorrow each and every ear of this city will know of it.'

How had this become his problem in the first place?

'They are looking for me. Do your best to keep me out of their sights. I can't run anymore with these stupid things.' And to emphasize her point she hit the ground with her left foot.

While their chasers were getting closer and closer Ezio had to take the countless shock from that night as the woman that was as good as glued to his body threw her arms around his neck and before crushing her lips on his she whispered a threatening 'Hide my damn dress'.

If he was to think about it, Ezio couldn't describe it as shocking. It was just…awkward. Well, at the least he wondered if this evil hyena knew as a last result how to be romantic. He sincerely doubted it. He analysed her as she was clearly not realizing the intimate interaction they were having. Her eyes were following with round orbs every movement that was taking place behind him. It was then that he decided that this woman was the worse. He'd pity any true Italian that would set his eyes on her. She was like a damn cold rock. Did she even possess any sensuality?

He heard their chaser run right past them but then stop.

'Hey, you! Signore! Making out in the public is a shameful thing. Take your puttana and beat it off the street!'

Suddenly Ezio felt the body tense under him. Maybe those weren't the smartest words to call her by but this wasn't the time to go berserker and slaughter people in the middle of the street. Oh, no, you won't. He caught her waist and squeezed forcefully making her open her mouth in protest. He was a gentleman yes, but he at least deserved to take a payment for the troubles she had caused him throughout the night– so he took the opportunity to let his tongue roll inside her mouth – this should also cause her to forget about her previous murderous thoughts, so there couldn't be any harm done. With the other hand he waved the man away, ordering him to mind his own business.

For an instance it seemed to work but the guard noticed the familiar colour of the dress. Ezio felt the man's interest grow and he did the first thing that crossed his mind – he obeyed her orders, only that this time round he was doing it in his own way – he did his best at hiding the dress by lifting it up and let it fall over the handrail, his hand moving nonchalantly up her hip. He knew she was not going to let him get away with it, that he probably had a storm ahead of him. Now, he wasn't a masochist, really; but he couldn't help not to smirk in her lips.

And his plan seemed to work because the man started to step backwards embarrassed.

'Marco – have you found anything?'

Ezio's amusement dropped on spot. He heard at least two more set of steps approaching them. This only meant bad news. He started to think of an escape route and the first place where his eye fell was over Shiva's shoulders, down to the other side of the ledge. They were as good as fifteen meters higher than the street below, but right under them was their salvation.

Without further warning he encircled both of his arms around her and pushed himself forward, over the handrail. The last thing he felt before they were both swallowed by the mass of hay was a pair of fragile arms tightening out of instinct around him.

The man had turned for a fragment of second to signalise the others to come quick. But when he looked back there was nothing but thin air where once the two strangers stood.

One of his friends reached him and his eyes ran from the guy to the place he was gaping at.

'What the hell is wrong with you? You look like you've seen a ghost.'

'But- there- the two- I saw-….'

---

Both of them stood quietly until there was no other sound on the streets except for the water hitting the walls of the city.

Ezio hit the hay out of his face and took a deep breath before fully emerging out of the haystack.

'It took them long to leave the area.'

He got on his feet and turned to help Shiva out.

The woman didn't even look at his hand and crawled out but remained on the ground.

Ezio froze.

She winched in pain as she brought her feet from under her. In an instant he was back down near her.

'Did something happen?'

'I think I dislocated my ankle.'

She was biting her lip as she lifted her dress to reveal the weird position of her left foot. He wanted to bring his hands around her leg but she stopped him.

'Don't! It hurts like hell.'

Worried, he looked up 't her. "But we need to relocate the bones.'

Shiva exhaled when her foot accidentally moved about the ground and shook her head.

'Not here, not now.'

'Are you sure it's just dislocated?'

'Yes.'

He gazed at her unconvinced.

She rolled her eyes.

'I've had enough broken bones to know how that feels.'

Ezio sighed heavily and looked down at her foot.

'It's my fault.'

'No, it isn't. I just got scared in the fall and landed like a stupid rock.'

It might have been so but Ezio knew that she wasn't comfortable with heights and free falls. It was a reason enough to blame it on him.

'Let's get you to Leonardo to have a look before doing things worse.'

She put her hand on his shoulder and Ezio rolled his eyes when she started to push herself up.

He didn't bother to say anything but turned around and offered her his back.

'Get on.'

But there was no movement.

'Shiva, don't act stubborn with me! This is not the time. It's better to carry you this way to protect your foot from other impacts.'

Slowly her arms crawled up his shoulders and he helped her with his hands, securing his own arms around her thighs.

Ezio got up and started to make his way to the artist's atelier.

They walked in silence, listening to the sounds of the night in the Venetian city. They had ended up in the far west of Venetia and there was a long distance ahead of them. Ezio looked at her hands over his chest. She was too quiet.

'You know… I can always bring you to Antonio's hideout to help you. The thief guild is closer than Leonardo.'

He instantly fell her arms tighten around his neck and smirked.

'Don't you dare!' She took a moment before continuing. 'We're not exactly on good terms.'

'I know.'

He crossed a bridge.

'Can I ask you what hap-'

'No.'

Her voice betrayed discomfort so he decided to drop the subject.

From there they continued in the same silence for minutes. In that silence he felt her move. At first he thought that she wanted to shift her position and paid attention to her foot, not to hurt herself. But the moving didn't stop and he suddenly felt her push herself into his back. He wanted to ask her what was she doing because her breasts pressed against his upper back and his hands now almost on her butt weren't making it very easy for him. But his words never came out with her suddenly pulling the dress up and entirely revealing her right leg. He turned his head to look the other way but his eyes had a mind of their own and were stealing glances at her revealed thigh.

She pushed even further and a hot sensation hit his chest and groin as he felt her pelvis between his hips. Ezio tried to swallow the sensation away and concentrated on her hand, currently roaming over the belt that was holding the codex page attached to her leg. On the inner thigh, the belt had a small pouch that she opened and leaked out in her palm a river of blue stones. Ezio snapped his full attention to the stones immediately recognising the necklace.

'What! That is what you stole?'

She didn't answer but pinned her chin on his shoulder admiring the rich necklace that she was holding in her hands.

'I did tell you something had caught my attention.'

Ezio stared at the jewels.

'You were talking about that?'

'Of course. Can't you see how beautiful they are?'

That's when he let his powerful laughter echo through the silent streets. This was Shiva he was talking about. How could he think that she would even notice a man, no matter that said man had practically followed her the entire evening.

'You are phenomenal.'

He turned his head to look at her and smiled almost relieved. Her attention was fully on the necklace which made him think that whatever outrageous thing he was to say it would have gone unheard.

She brought the necklace to their eyelevel, holding it by one of the ends.

'I even think I will keep one or two of the stones.'

He eyed the jewels.

'You intend to take them off the necklace?'

'Naturally. You have no idea how well they sell on the black market from East of the Holly Roman Empire.'

He arched an eyebrow.

'You've been that far?'

She let her arm down and purred into his left ear.

'And beyond.'

He straightened his back to cover the shivers and repositioned her on his back.

Shiva put the necklace back and leaned her head on his, steadying her breath against his neck.

'Are you alright?'

'Yes; just a little worn out. My plan for tonight didn't exactly include a chase across Venice and twisting my ankle.'

Ezio simply nodded and stepped down some stairs, walking along the course of a canal.

It was silence again. The man tried in vain to stop the small smile. He was now more than sure that at some point in his future he will be missing this night. She was leaving. As he let his legs carry him down the paved streets of Venice he tried to memorise Shiva's warm breath against his skin, the ticklish sensation of her lips on their occasionally light brush against his neck and the cool breeze coming along the canal, dancing the hems of her dress in the air; just because he wanted to be able to vividly remember them for as long as he could.

'Shiva…'

He whispered slowly, partially knowing that she might have fallen asleep, partially afraid that she might not have.

'Ummm…?'

It had been a long breath and when he spoke again it was even more softly that the first time.

'You were the only exception.'

Between him and Federico there never was that kind of competition. That didn't mean that he could control his childish envy. He could control his actions, and his mind, but not the feelings. That Florentine night he had returned home early and unable to fall asleep he had spent half of it sitting on the stairs of the house waiting for Federico to come as well. But when his brother had entered the house not long after the sunrise, just then, he had wished so badly to be him that he had allowed himself to be mean. It was hard to explain. It had nothing to do with his brother or Shiva. It was about that something that they were sharing, about some sort of secret that was going to make his brother special. He had been afraid that that night Federico might discover something that only he will ever know and will forever keep it a secret from him even if they were brothers.

And now? Now he was feeling a little bit disgusted by his younger self. It was as if fate had given him what he wanted. But he never wanted it this way. He was now captive to the echoes of his steps, holding onto something that belonged to Federico. He knew that he wasn't at fault for the way that things had happened, but that wasn't enough to kill the feeling of nausea. He never wanted to take what was Federico's. He wanted to know, never to take. He had his chance to learn that secret with Cristina but neither his brother nor Shiva were guilty of what was going in his life. And the hits of his life- he could take them…. but only if miracles could happen… his only wish would be for Federico to be there and take Shiva away from him because he was terribly scared and lost. He was scared of Shiva and most of all he was scared of himself.

It was not his fault; it was no one's fault.

'It's just that… green suites you better.'

He felt her flinch in her state of doze.

She sluggishly raised her head from his shoulder and exhaled heavily.

'What?'

She tilted her head, watching him with curiosity with her half closed eyes.

He smiled everything away, a thing that he had come to do a lot around her.

'What about a gondola?'

At his normal voice she was slowly ceasing the sleep away.

Ezio took heavy steps to the wall of the canal and nodded at the approaching gondola.

Shiva craned her neck and rested her chin on his shoulder.

'Why a driven gondola? Can't you just take one of the shore tied sandoli?'

He turned his head enough to stare at her. After all she went through she was still holding to her vices.

'You want me to steal a sandal? And how will you be able to swim if anyone catches us?'

He sighed and turned his attention at the gondola.

'Ehi, gondoliere!' (Hey, gondolier!)

The man nodded and started to pull his gondola near them.

'And how do you intend to pay him?' Shiva asked ironically.

Ezio smirked. She was going to tease him on this one.

'I might have borrowed some money.'

'Borrowed?'

'From some of Mancini's guests.'

There were some seconds of silence until Shiva started to laugh softly, putting even the gondolier in a good mood.

She tightened her grip around his neck.

'If I didn't know better I'd say you want to impress me, signor Auditore.'

Ezio chuckled at how stealing and Shiva's lady-like voice sounded so twisted in the same context.

He stepped in the gondola and made his way to the felze.

'Una bela notte, no?(A beautiful night, no?)Where am I to take such beautiful young people?'

Shiva sighed over Ezio's shoulder, probably at the luck they were having with the over-talkative man.

'Canal Grande, second arm.'

'My pleasure.'

Ezio looked inside the felze and crouched down at its opening. He helped Shiva lay inside, on the pillows. While she dragged her body on her hands so that she could lean on the backrest in a sitting position, Ezio checked her left foot. She bent forward as well and took her right shoe off.

'Let me.'

Shiva watched Ezio gently pull the left shoe. She winched in a second of pain and her hands tugged at his arm.

'That's ok.' Soon the shoe was off and he started to lightly blow over the skin of her ankle to cool it off.

They stopped when a low hum reached their ears and looked up at the gondolier. Ezio suddenly found the man amusing; he also thought it must be really sad to spend your nights on the canals, all alone. He looked from the man to Shiva, who apparently wasn't appreciating the man's good intentions.

'You have to be joking me!'

Even so when the man's voice started to echo through the canal Ezio did nothing but smile at the romantic notes while he returned his attention to Shiva's leg.

He looked around and snatched a pillow, securing it over the edge of the gondola and attentively, he placed Shiva's calf over it, making sure that her foot wasn't touching anything.

'Tell him to stop singing!'

The assassin laughed at her suspicious expression.

'Why? He at least makes this stinky canal less gloomy.'

'But it makes me feel like an archery target!'

Crouched outside the felze, with one of his arms resting on his knee Ezio laughed harder at how worried and uncomfortable she was looking. He shook his head.

'Gondotiere! We appreciate but the signorina is tired.'

The man nodded and continued to row in silence.

Ezio thanked him and looked at Shiva. She had relaxed and was now leaning on the pillows. The felze provided a small place but it was comfortable enough for the woman to rest.

He glanced at her leg and then started to gaze at nothing in particular, over the surface of the dark water and at the quiet houses along the canal.

Slowly he started to feel a pair of eyes on him. When he turned his head he caught Shiva's intense gaze. Her face was as unreadable as always, but of one thing he was sure: she was tired. And so was he. It had been a long night and in a few hours the sun was about to rise for the new day.

She straightened a bit and brought her hands by her sides, pushing herself to the right.

'Come here.'

Ezio eyed the small place by her side through his heavy lids. There wasn't enough space for two.

Still, she stretched her hand to him. He looked from the hand back at her. At that hour of the morning she looked so serene and calm that it made him understand that there was no more point in fighting it. Things were as they were; feelings were as they were.

Ezio gave up and pushed himself under the red blinds, resting his head against her left shoulder. He followed in that silence the rhythm of her chest. They heard yet again the rising hum of a slow song that the gondolier was singing to himself. Ezio smirked and whilst she didn't laugh out her chest started to tremble.

He slowly and heavily let his head tilt to fit in the curve of her neck and listened to the lullaby of her beating heart. He felt his eyelids fall but knew that he had to stay awake. So, the man brought his left hand up, to knead his eyes and rested it on his forehead. He saw Shiva's hand come from above and take his. She turned it to the side of his little finger to inspect it. Only when she walked her fingers to his wrist he was reminded of the smarting pain.

'What happened?'

His mind went back to the moment of fury in which he had hit his fist against the wall. He never imagined that he had scratched himself that badly.

'Just… an accident.'

She didn't say anything but slipped her hand in his palm, walking it up and above, down the other side.

Ezio watched in fascination the unusual dance of their hands. With his hand open he saw her thumb following the darker line of the scar in his palm.

'You shouldn't have this.'

Her voice was a light whisper. He loved her clear whispered voice.

'I'm sorry. You didn't deserve this.'

The man gazed at the scar in his palm, the scar felt by her knife back in Monteriggioni. The scar she left on him.

He closed his palm blocking her hand in his and brought them down to his chest.

His eyelids covered his hazel eyes. Of all the things and among all the feelings he should have been feeling at that precise moment, there, on the gondola, at the end of that long night he only felt at peace. For the shock, the danger and the torment that meant making Shiva part of his life, for all that hardship she was compensating with these little, ingenuous moments of peace and comfort that she wasn't even aware of. Next to her, even if for a short time, all the nightmares and deepest fears were gone and sleep would come easier. And things like these were out of his control. He could do nothing about them…just accept them and find his peace.

With his eyes closed he smiled.

'Do you intend to compensate for it in some way?'

The voice of the gondolier went down in a melancholic tone.

'Ummm…no.'

His smile grew tranquil.

'I thought that much.'

She rested her head on his and her free hand found its way to his forehead, gently playing the locks of his hair around her fingers.

He had no idea when it happened. Probably it never happened and it simply grew on him, gradually, quietly and unnoticeably until…it was too late. He had feelings for her, and from that there was no turning back. He couldn't say that he loved her but his heart would race dementedly when he was near her; he couldn't say that he was attracted to her but his hands felt a need to touch her, to find their way to her skin; he didn't find her beautiful but he couldn't look away from her eyes and lips; at times she was infuriating because it was hard to accept that she was in fact his equal and not just a woman but that was what he appreciated and made him want to keep her by his side; he wasn't infatuated with her…but…she was going to leave.

In fact he has thankful for it; and maybe because she was leaving it was now easier for him to accept all his feelings for her.

'We're here, signore!'

Ezio opened his eyes and threw all his thoughts to the back of his mind. He got up and went to the man to pay him. When he returned Shiva was already in a sitting position, waiting for him. He helped her on his back and when she was settled he stepped with her out of the boat.

He reached the road when the voice of the gondolier made him stop and side-turn.

'Signorina, you forgot your shoes.'

From his back Shiva chucked and waved at the man holding the pair of elegant shoes up.

'Sell them and buy something nice to your children at home.'

Ezio laughed quietly and shook his head while he made his way to Leonardo's atelier.

Once in front of the door they stopped. He had no idea why but suddenly that door seemed so big and imposing. He heard Shiva sigh.

'Do we have to do this?'

'Well, I guess it's either listening to Leonardo's tongue-lashing or we could always spend the morning together in front of this door.'

It didn't take even a second for Shiva to start hitting the door with both of her fists.

'I'm flattered.' He muttered and rolled his eyes.

They heard steps almost running from the other side, not that Ezio was surprised with Shiva's brisk knocks.

The door snapped open to reveal a perplexed artist at the sight he had in front of him.

'Ma che cielo…' But the confusion vanished when Shiva skipped the words and simply lifted her left leg to him.

An expression of worry immediately froze on his face.

'What happened? Get in!'

He moved aside and let them enter the atelier. Judging by his looks and clothes he had been sleeping.

Ezio went directly to the table and seated Shiva there, knowing that this way their friend could have a better look.

'We think it's dislocated.'

The artist went to Shiva and bent over to inspect the injury.

'How did it happen?'

Ezio dragged his hand along his nape and averted his eyes, ashamed.

'It's my fault. I took her in a leap of faith.'

Leonardo looked up, the sleep long forgotten.

'Why?'

He didn't feel like talking about it.

'Things didn't go smoothly and we had to run from the party.'

'What he means is that I stole something and got us into trouble.'

Leonardo looked at Shiva and back at the assassin.

In return he shrugged.

'Details.'

The artist sighed frustrated.

'Didn't I tell you not to let her out of your sight?'

'Why am I at fault? She's the one that needs the lecture.'

'I'm injured.'

She smiled innocently with her excuse.

'Anyway… my leg?'

The blond man decided that, as usual, it was no use in trying to talk sense into either of them when they were completely focused on ridiculing one another. He put a hand under her calf to get her foot into the light of the candle he had lightened when they had awakened him.

'Hmmm….'

''Hmmm' what?' By her voice Shiva didn't like her friend's observation sounds.

He stretched to the table and picked a thin brush. He started to puncture her sole and Shiva put her lips together not to curse the pain.

The artist straightened and threw the brush away.

'At least it's just dislocated. Some of your blood vessels might have been damaged or even broken but at least there's no fracture.'

He narrowed his eyes meticulously.

'We need to relocate it but…' There was a pause and Leonardo looked from one to the other. 'For me it's much simpler when I am working on corpses. I don't have to worry for the pain.' He turned to the other man in the room. 'Ezio? Do you mind doing it? You'll do it much faster and less painfully.'

The man eyed Leonardo and fully turned to Shiva. It was a moment of silence in which the two stared into each other's eyes. And while on Ezio's face a grin was slowly making its way, the woman's eyes were growing in horror.

'Leonardo, can't it really be you?'

The man who was oblivious to what was happening shook his head in disapproval.

'Shiva, Ezio has more power in his arms than me.'

'How's that a good thing?' Her worried eyes were following Ezio, making sure that he wasn't stepping closer to her.

'He'll do it more quickly.'

'Yes, but he'll also do it with a stupid satisfied smile on his face.'

And to prove her point his grin just got bigger while he made his way to her.

'Shiva, be reasonable.'

The grinning man kneeled in front of her.

'Yes, Shiva, be reasonable.' He caught her eyes. 'It's not like I'll take pleasure from it. What kind of opportunist man do you think I am? Even though revenge has a sweet sound.'

'Ezio! You stop it, too.'

She pushed her lips and her narrowed eyes shot fire.

He smiled thrilled at the way he felt her shiver when he took her leg in his hands.

'If you do something unnecessary I swear I'll hit you.'

'Carina (Sweetie) …can't you appreciate that I am finding myself down on my knees in front of you…yet again?'

The woman sneered.

'It didn't exactly give me any pleasure the first time either.'

At that his smile turned seductively.

'You know how they say… maybe our third time is the charm.'

She stared at him with a blank face.

'Do you really have to give everything a sexual meaning?'

He continued to smile.

'Oh, and you are naïve if you think I can't see your hand making its way up to my right leg. You'll have to wait until I get old and blind to fool these trained eyes. I will seriously hit you if yo-aaaaaah!'

Ezio simply smirked before pinching the skin of her right leg. She raised her hand up at the pain but twisted again at the new short pain that she registered in her left leg.

He smiled at her funny reaction, glad that she hadn't even had the time to react properly when he had pulled her foot and relocated the ankle.

'Do-' But he didn't end his word when a storm of smarting hits launched at his back.

'Shiva, cut it out or I'll pinch you again.'

A hand stopped on his cheek, pushing his face to one side and keeping it that way.

'You will not do that again you…. you…' He found adorable her face twisted in pain and frustration.

'…you….mule!'

Fine, so he'll take his thoughts back. He watched her eyes water when his fingers twisted the skin of her leg.

'Aaaa…!'

All too fast she hit him again and bent forward, from the table on his back and before he could register he felt her arms around him and a pair of teeth on his left shoulder.

'Gah! Shiva! Don't! Agh! Stop biting!'

He snapped his hand over his back to hit her away.

'Madonna mia! (Oh my God!) Stop it! Both of you! Now!'

At the sudden outburst of the artist they froze and whilst Shiva was throwing him one piercing glare, Ezio was still grimacing because of the pain.

'You are worse than children!'

They exchanged a glance from the vicinity of Ezio's shoulder and even after a mutual agreement to stop it Ezio still felt the need to sneer when she faintly slapped his face away from hers.

Leonardo sighed in resignation. All that he wanted at this point of the morning was a little bit of peace.

'Ezio, please bring Shiva upstairs. There's an improvised bed for her. I'll go dampen some cloths into cold water to wrap her ankle.'

The man didn't wait too much to catch her left arm and seize it to his chest and secured her legs from under her knees before getting up with her as a sack over his back.

She started to struggle but it only made Ezio tighten his grip. He walked up the stairs with Shiva constantly shouting at him to put her down properly. When he reached the upper room he saw the mattress and pillows on the wooden floor. He stepped near it.

'Put me-'

'Fine.'

And in the same moment he bent and let her roll off his back on the bed.

Instead of yelling words at him or complain like a hysterical woman she just cursed him of seven years of bad luck through her pugnacious glares.

He straightened and massaged his bitten shoulder.

'You don't have any sort of rabies or whatever is that foxes have, do you?'

He smirked down at her expression of annoyance.

'Your bad habits are bad enough for one person.'

When she didn't react at all he turned around and made his way to the stairs.

'Be nice and listen to Leonardo.'

As he made his way down the stairs he thought that it's for the best not to stop or look back at her.

He was half way to the atelier when her voice was clearly and powerfully heard from upstairs.

'Vaffanculo!' (Fuck you!)

The artist froze with the bowl of cold water in his hands and stared up, past Ezio.

'What was that?'

The man himself turned to look over his shoulder but then he trampled down the last stairs while laughing.

'It's either Shiva learned to cuss in Italian or that was her way of wishing me good luck in my life.'

The artist continued to throw him a confused look at which Ezio considered his words.

'…or both.'

Leonardo shook his head, exhausted by their 'casualty' disputes.

'Listen, Ezio…it's almost morning. If you want you can spend the last few hours of darkness here. I have something in the other room…it's not much but I use it to take a nap there from time to time.'

The man nodded.

'I think I'll take the offer, amico.' After all it was of no use to lose the last clocks of the night making his way to another place.

'I'll bring you some pillows and something to cover with. I'll be right back.'

With that the artist went up the stairs.

Ezio made his way to the next room. It was small and it reminded him of the adjacent room that the artist had in his old atelier in Florence.

He looked at the poor sack but he was more than thankful for it at that hour. He started to unbutton his vest and stopped in front of a table. His hands crawled slowly from the buttons to his sides. There, in front of the improvised mirror, on the wooden table was Shiva's belt with all her pouches and weapons. He turned around and saw her cape and clothes occupying the only chair in the room.

Ezio looked back at the belt. He knew that it wasn't a polite thing to search through other's personal stuff but…

He grabbed the sheathed knife and walked his fingers along the carvings. It was the same knife that she had used to attack him in Monteriggioni. He opened his right palm and pondered over the scar before putting the knife back down. Looking at the belt, the holders of her pins were empty. Between the two pouches from behind there was a row of vials containing gunpowder, poison and other substances that he couldn't name. One of them was also missing. Then something caught his eyes. One of the pouches was opened and whatever was meant to keep in there had been poorly placed back. He moved the belt away and in just that simple gesture the glimmering form fell completely on the table.

His heart shrank and a wave of sadness washed all the other feelings away.

It was irrepressible and impossible to forget… his brother's image was to stay into the conscience no matter what.

He picked the oval brooch and held it in his hand. He felt like begging for forgiveness but there was no one in front to whom he should do so. It had all ended up so wrongly but he couldn't do anything about it.

'Here it is!'

The assassin jumped at the second voice, cursing that he had been so out of it that Leonardo had managed to enter the room without him noticing.

He spun around and watched his friend throw two pillows and a cover on the bed and turn at him smiling.

'Well then… sleep well.'

Ezio smiled faintly and the artist noticed it.

'Is something wrong?'

'No…just… a long night.'

'Yes, I figured that much.' Leonardo laughed softly and stepped towards the exit. 'Oh, and did something happen while you were away?'

'Like what?'

'I don't know…. Shiva asked me to wait outside while she changes….'

'I fail to see the problem in that…'

The man stared at him as if he had just said the most obvious thing.

'Ezio…you know Shiva wouldn't even bother to let you know before she starts undressing…'

That triggered some sort of indignation.

'Does – does she do that with all the men?'

'What? No! Well… I had to get used to it since I was 14 and she jumped naked into the river in which I was bathing without even giving me the chance to protest...she was about 8 at that time I guess. Then it started to happen on a regular basis…and probably because she ended on my operation table enough times she feels like she has nothing to hide from me anymore.'

He made a pause.

'Well…. In case you haven't noticed we don't represent much of a 'man image' for her.'

Ezio frowned.

'…'Man image…'. I don't know how to put it, but I think she has a problem with understanding the notion. For each embarrassing moment she has dragged me through I had been more of a man than I would have liked too; and trust me when I tell you that I don't mean it in a bragging way.'

The other man smiled.

'I can imagine and you have my pity. But you can't blame Shiva either. After all you were the one complaining of how unwomanly she is.'

He set his mind to leave again.

'Well, I guess you have no answer to that… and it's not like you can know what goes through Shiva's head. See you in a few hours.'

Ezio nodded, too tired to trouble himself with the previous discussion. He unclenched his fist a little glancing inside before he took his boots off and unbuttoned his vest. He threw it on the table and disposed of the shirt next to it. Walking to the bed he unfastened his trousers and let his body fall heavily. At the edge of the bed he opened his palm and gazed at the jewellery, for the first time without having to feel like he was doing something illegal.

He wondered how could his body and mind still permit him to feel and focus on anything else than what he was facing at the moment. This was such a little thing but it still lived inside him. He hit his head on the pillow and unfolded the cover with one hand, getting under it.

This night had indeed been one long, exhausting night. But it was nothing comparing to the day he had ahead of him.

His fisted hand went under the pillow.

Regardless, about this matter, he wasn't going to lie to himself anymore; but he wasn't going to do anything about it either. It will die at some point. She was going to leave in less than a month so it should die. Those feelings will die with the time like all the rest.