ATTENTION READERS!

I'm afraid I have some somewhat sad news...I have decided to put this story off for a few weeks. I wouldn't have even updated this chapter, but, due to the fact of how many people reviewed, saying that they couldn't wait for the next chapter, I couldn't leave all of them hanging from the cliff-hanger I ended on. Although it saddens my heart to even write this down, I'm afraid my desires are in another department right now. BUT!-do not think this is the end of the story. Oh, no, I love this story way too much to leave it unfinished. After a few weeks of sating my other writing hungers, I will start to write this story again. However, after this chapter, do not expect one for a good while.

If you feel you must rant about it, do not fill up the review pages with it. If you want more information about it or just want to talk it out with me, please message me.

ANYWAYS!
-This chapter...is very, mucho, important to my plot.
-I tied the last chapter title to this one. So it's "Prone to the Truth...Yet Living The Lie".
-I'm sad my Thanksgiving Weekend in over. :(

Thanks for the reviews, my faithful readers!:
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Chapter 24: Yet Living the Lie

"The what?" I stood breathless in Ezio's hold, staring up into his eyes with fear.

He shook me lightly, but firmly. "Where is the Piece of Eden, Narina?"

"I-I don't know!" I struggled in his hold. "Please let go of me! You're hurting me!"

"Damn it, Narina!" Ezio complied and let go of me, but his harsh stare was still pinned on me. "That's the reason they're after you—you have the piece of Eden!"

A course of shock ran through me, and I gave Ezio a confused look. "They think I have the stupid little artifacts? Well, I don't! I'm pretty sure I would know if I had this almighty, Godly power on my hands." I was beginning to get a little upset by the fact that Ezio would think that I would have kept something like that from him if it even had been true.

Ezio's gaze didn't even soften a little bit. "You've forgotten that you hold it," he explained. "I heard it all—Lucio Carliaes talked about it with one of the other members of the Templar order. The reason they need you is because you hold the power of the Pieces of Eden."

I stood straight, letting my face fall into a similar state as his. "Ezio, I swear to God, I would know if I had something like that upon my hands—it doesn't matter if I forgot about it or not! Power like that can't be hidden!"

Ezio sneered. "Then you know where the pieces are, and they wish to rape your mind to find the answer and clues to were they are!"

"You just switched your story!" I yelled. "Did they say I had it or not?"

"They said you know the power of what it feels like to hold the Power of Eden in your hands!" Ezio reached out to me again, taking a hold of my arms once again, only this time, the hold was much more gentle. "Narina," he whispered, suddenly pulling me close to him. He looked loving into my eyes for a moment. "Please tell me if you can—I want to make sure you are safe." His forehead was pressed to mine. "If you know, we need to give them the information they seek—for your safety."

"Ezio." I pushed away from him. "I don't know what they are talking about. I've no idea where the pieces of Eden lie." I paused. "Besides, would we really want to give our enemy the ultimate power just to make sure I'm safe? Isn't that being a little selfish?"

In all my days with him, I had never seen Ezio look so sad before. Without a word, he stared down at me with emotion raging in his eyes, begging me to understand that this is what he felt was best. And I couldn't take that look anymore—I hated it. I didn't want to see Ezio looking so sad and...and alone.

"Look; if I remember anything, if I come across anything, I'll make sure to tell you." I reached up and touched his rough jaw, looking up into his saddened eyes. "As for me, I'll make sure I'll stay out of trouble, okay?"

"You will stay out of trouble," Ezio murmured. "You are not to leave the Villa until matters get under control."

That sounded a bit extreme, but I wasn't about to deny Ezio right now, so I nodded in understanding. "Alright, if you think it best."

Ezio gave a half-attempted smile, letting his head swoop down and his lips press again mine. "I would have you safe, Narina, nothing less." His words pressed into my lips while his fingers twisted into my hair.

"Do not forget that I'm not the only one you are to be worried about." I kissed him once more before setting myself away from him. I stared up into his still saddened eyes. "You have a whole country to be aware of."

Ezio sighed, pulling me into his embrace. "I know." I had a feeling that I wouldn't be seeing much of Ezio anymore, and then there was the foolish wave of tears I tried to hide by pressing my face into Ezio's chest. I wasn't going to lie—I was scared for some reason, and it wasn't the normal scared for Ezio's safety either. It was more fear for myself now, and whether that be selfish or not, I recognized it at any rate. And, I also thought it was all a bunch of fowl-play. Knowledge of the Pieces of Eden? I think my past self (the one that held all of my lost memories) would allow something of such magnitude to come back to me, no?

Or, perhaps, I was meaning to hide it all along. Which explanation it was, I had no clue, but I certainly wasn't liking this situation.

I would find myself not liking it even more weeks afterwords. When Ezio said he didn't want me to leave the Villa, he literally meant he didn't want me to leave the Villa. With the help of Mario and a few mercenaries, Ezio was able to keep me stowed away in the Villa. Whenever Ezio was out of town or left for more information on the Carliaes boy, Mario would poke me around to doing something for him in the Villa. I was pissed and upset. I liked my outside time, but now, I couldn't even feel the sunshine on my skin without it having to go through a window first.

It ended up being like this: Mario and Claudia training out in the courtyards while I ran and managed the money of the city. Total bullshit, I know. Sometimes, I'd help Maria with a few things of her own, but nothing too exciting happened there due to Mario's growing servant staff. I think the highlight of my lock down was helping the Architect guy figure out what we were to do with all the money Ezio had donated to the cause. The Art shop was renovated, my more feminine side saying that the city needed some class in it aside from the flowing, red banners on the Brothel in the corner of the town. Then, with great debate, I decided on renovating the Armorers up another level, hoping that, now in a better position, more useful weapons would be available.

There was one thing I had been right about all along—I didn't see Ezio much at all. About once every two weeks, to tell the truth. I wasn't sure what was taking him so long to pin down and take care of the problem, but I hadn't ever the chance to ask him myself. I found it comforting, though, the nights he was able to stumble home, he'd come crawl into my bed instead of hauling himself up into his room. I'd wake up to his hands on my stomach, his breath falling against my neck. And I loved those nights—I would hum in delight in my sleepy haze, rolling over so I could press myself closer to him while he laid soft kisses upon my brow. I'm not ashamed to admit that I would go to sleep every night, hoping that I would be awaken by his strong hands and hot breath.

A month passed. If it were not for Maria's soft spoken words and a few books I found in Mario's office, I think I would have gone crazy. There was always jealousy within me when I watched Mario and Claudia train outside from my window. I started just leaving my window open, my arms hanging out the window while my head rested upon the sill.

I was in a similar position the day Ezio walked into my room, only up in Maria's room for she was stitching one of my torn shirts. Since I was at the window, I had watched him walk up the stairs and into the Villa, so I wasn't all surprised when he walked into the room.

"Mother," he greeted, giving his mother a small greeting kiss as she momentarily placed my shirt aside.

"How are you, my son? I haven't seen you for a while."

"I've been better." Ezio then walked over to me at the window, causing me to sit up in my chair from my slumped position so I could look up at him. Instead, he stooped down at my side, reaching up and pulling down his hood to show me his weary, golden eyes. "How have you been fairing, Narina?"

I frowned. "I want to go outside. Now."

He laughed, despite my angry look, and he stood straight again. "It's still too dangerous for that, I'm afraid. Especially since the kid has gone missing."

I shot my gaze up to his face. "What do you mean, 'missing'?"

Ezio grew serious again. "We were trying to keep tabs on him in Firenze. We thought we were doing pretty well, up until, well, he just wasn't there anymore. He slipped through our guard, and there's no saying where he is now."

A sigh fell from my lips. "So, I'm guessing that's why you're here? To make sure he doesn't storm the Villa?"

"Exactly."

"Ezio," I whined. "I really want to go outside. Just for a few minutes. Please?"

His chuckles were deep in his chest, and he reached down to take my hand so he could pull me up out of my chair. "No," he hummed, resting his hands upon my hips. "I'm sorry, but no." Since we were in his Maria's room with Maria present, I was surprised when Ezio leaned over and kissed me softly, pulling my hips towards his. Although I was curious about her reaction, I was suddenly enjoying Ezio more at the moment. I had forgotten how good his kisses felt against my own, and there was defiantly nights in the month of his momentary leave that I had wished him in my bed with me for reasons more than his warmth. I was under no illusions that Ezio hadn't been able to hold out like I had. I presumed that the brothel at Florence had been busy the past weeks, and instead of getting mad over it, I accepted it. I would take what I could.

Apparently, the kiss grew too 'seasoned' for Maria's tastes, for she cleared her throat, and I realized that my arms were up around Ezio's neck, pulling him down to me.

"By all means," Maria started, "please continue. But in other room, perhaps? I mean, really, you two have your own room for such things, no?"

Blushing, I let go of Ezio and stammered my quiet apology. Ezio, on the other hand, grinned at his mother. "As much as I would like to take up that offer, Mother, I really can't. I must speak with Mario about patrols for the city for now." He turned to me again. "By the way, nice renovations on the town. It's already bringing more people into the town."

"Ah, yes, of course."

"Now I must take my leave." He placed another kiss upon my forehead, gave a nod in the direction of his mother before he walked out of the room. I stared after him in a silent daze, wishing this whole thing would just blow over so I could actually have some fun—whether it be with Ezio or just the outside air.

Maria's small chuckle brought me out of my daze and over to her. "You seem quite taken with him," she pointed out, a sly smile on her face.

I sucked in a breath, but smiled softly. "Yes, well, I believe I am."

Maria picked up my half sewn shirt again. "I think you are the only girl who has ever been so."

My brow furrowed in confusion. "Um, with all due respect, Maria, have you not noticed how many girls he's bedded?"

"I tend to tune out the screams." A small glint formed in her eye when she looked up at me. "Sometimes, they are so loud that I can no longer block them out, though." My stomach clenched and my cheeks were suddenly on fire. They were never going to let me live that down. "But in reality, Narina, do those girls care about Ezio? Think about it."

I gave her a tilt of my head, telling her I didn't understand.

"In a woman's eye, she takes one look at Ezio, and what does she see?"
I thought back to my first moment of seeing Ezio. "A very handsome man...who's very perverted?"

A smile appeared on Maria's face. "Well, yes, that too, but when a woman looks upon my son, they soon realize that he is an easy night with no strings attached. They don't care whom he is, what his story is—they only care about his handsome face and well tested sex tactics."

A pause. "Doesn't Ezio know that?" I whispered.

"Oh, yes. He is very well aware of it." Maria finished up the stitching and folded the shirt, handing it into my arms. "He's accepted the fact as well as I have." As I took a hold of the cloth, prepared to tuck it into my arms, my pull was restrained from Maria's grasp, not allowing me to take the shirt. I looked up into her eyes, suddenly confused. Her dark yet warm eyes pried into mine, seeming to dig deeper and deeper in my soul. "Narina, may I ask you something?"

I swallowed back a set of concern. "What's on your mind?"

"Do you love my son?"

My stomach dropped violently and I stared up into Maria's eyes with my own widened with shock. Why was she asking this so suddenly? I wasn't sure on how to reply, or what she wanted to hear. I pressed my lips together momentarily before I looked down at my feet and whispered, "yes. I do."

Maria's hand cupped around my chin, making me look up into her eyes once more. "And have you told him this?"

I slowly nodded. "Yes. I have."

"Good." She let go of my chin, allowing me to take the shirt and returning back to the side of her bed were she sat, and smiled up at me. "Of all the things that he has heard in his life, I'm sure your words touched him the deepest."

Her face fell when I started to slowly shake my head. "I'm not the only one who has said it to him. Cristina said that to him all the time, and—."

"My son is no fool, Narina," Maria cut me off. "He knows the difference between 'I love your penis' and 'I love you'."

I blushed, but was not surprised that Maria was so brazen about it all. She always had the knack for not being embarrassed about the more naturally embarrassing things in life. "What are you saying, Maria?"

"What I'm saying, my dear, is that Ezio has never had a girl actually love him before. And a girl that loves him and his penis...well, that's all the more amazing to him."

I suddenly remembered Ezio the morning after we woke up together, when he had held my hand and whispered a 'thank you' to me. It all made sense now. Ezio was thanking me for loving him for who he was.
The thought, oddly, brought tears to my eyes and the next thing I knew I was pulled into Maria's embrace. I wasn't sure whether the tears were for being happy or not. It was sad to think that Ezio would have toactually thank me for loving him, but I was happy that I was the only one.

Maria held me close to her, stroking my hair gently. "You are dear to him, Narina, if this locking you away wasn't proof enough. He does not want to lose you."

I pressed my face into her shoulder. "Don't ask me to think he feels the same way," I whispered. "For if I believed hoped that he did, and he'd turn around and prove so otherwise, I wouldn't be able to take it, I don't think."

Maria hummed. "Trust me, my dear; I know how hard it is to be in love with an Assassin." She held me away from her, smiling upon me. "Just give it time and things will happen as they shall."

After my talk with Maria, I really felt the need to be alone. I ended up circling around the villa several times until I found myself walking down into the Sanctuary. The room was so grand, so large, lit up with several candles that never seemed to burn out, along with the sun lit that lit up in a criss-cross pattern. I stayed upon the round platform that over looked the room for a moment as I stared over the statues that lined the room. Then I made my way around the room, looking over each of the statues carefully, realizing that there were now two of the circle tomes in their slots now instead of the one Ezio and I had found. Ezio must have found another sometime when I wasn't aware.

I stopped in front of the caged statue, the statue of Altair. I stared up through the bars at the stone figure and sighed.

"You've been in love before, right?" I leaned against the bars. "I guess you had to of been with the fact that Ezio is here, huh?" I paused. "I guess I have to thank you for that. If it wasn't for your love, I wouldn't be in love. Well, I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but I think it's a good thing." I tried to reach into the cage, trying to touch the statue but my arms were much too short. "Thank you, Altair." I felt like there was a lot I should have been thanking him for, although I had no idea as to why. There was a long moment where I let the silence surround me. Then I began to laugh at myself. "I'm talking to a statue! How silly." I pushed away from the bars, and made my way back to the to stairs that led out of the Sanctuary. But I spared a glance back and gave the statue a long look once more, giving my thanks mentally now, as if I were to be judged oh so harshly if I spoke them out loud.

I went to bed alone that night, not knowing where the hell Ezio had ran off again. There was the hope, though, that I would be woken up by him in the middle of the night once again and I was almost eager to have it happen.

Well, I got my wish. But it wasn't a the happy wake up call I wanted.

Instead of his hands calmly about my waist, they were shaking me awake frantically, making me flail out of my sleep and into a sitting position.

Ezio was sitting over me, his eyes filled with anger and fear. I didn't even have a chance to ask what was happening—Ezio simply picked me up into his arms and was running out of the room, out the back door of the villa.

Finally breaking through my sleepy stupor, I gripped onto Ezio tightly. "What's going on?" I couldn't even enjoy the cool night air on my skin, the open sky above me, the fresh air.

"They've come," Ezio growled.

"They're here? In Monteriggioni?"

"Yes. And they don't plan to give up until you're in their grasp."

"So you're going to let them ransack the town while I go free? Don't be stupid!" I started to struggle in his grasp. By this time, he had carried me to the end of the courtyard, at the edge of the tall hill that the Villa was upon. There was a small, rock ledge that jutted out, and there, Ezio sat me down on my feet. Without any other contact than the hand on my arm, he pointed down the edge of the cliff at a stack of hay that had been placed there.

"Jump down. There's a horse waiting for you down there. Run until you're safe, do you understand me?"

"Ezio, I don't—."

"Farla capisce! (Do you understand!)" Ezio exalted, the stress, the worry, the anger all in his eyes.

There was going to be no argument over this. Not now. I nodded slowly. "I do." I murmured.

Seeing that he had upset me, he allowed himself to give me a hug, his lips pressing into my hair. "Be careful, mia cara."

I wrapped my arms around him again. "You too." Pulling his head back just enough, he used his chin to guide my head upwards to face his and he pressed a kiss upon my lips.

"If you can, get to Firenze and take refuge with Paola. I'll return there as soon as I am able."

All too soon, he let go of me and turned to run back into the Villa. Before he could head off, I followed after him quickly and reached for his sleeve, tugging him back enough to make me look back at me.

"Ezio?"

He gave me an impatient look. "What?"

I stared at him for a moment, taking in his rigid body and his tensed expression. I held tighter onto his sleeve. "I love you. Please don't get hurt."

I only saw a glimpse of the shock on his face before I turned, ran and jumped off of the ledge. The air whistled in my ears loudly, and I was soon surrounded with hay in a bouncy landing. I climbed out quickly and, without a look back up, I climbed up onto the horse that had indeed been there waiting for me. Ezio must have had one of Mario's men place it there for me before he went and woke me up. Hoisting myself up into the saddle, I took a moment to rub the sleep out of my eyes, trying to keep the dim light path clear in the half-moon lit night. The horse side-stepped and nickered loudly, but adjusted nicely before I took a firm hold of the reigns and beckoned the horse to run. As I veered towards the path out of the lands of Monteriggioni, I kept my eyes upon the entrance when I passed. There were indeed strange horses clad in bag and leathers I had never seen before. The danger slowly set in then, and I began to realize just how much trouble I was in. How much trouble I was putting everyone else in. In a cloud of dust, I led the horse into a gallop, our destination North-ward to Florence.

I wasn't sure how long I had been riding for, but I blame it on my drowsy eyes that kept drooping for not being able to tell. And also for not seeing my ambush. There was a pass through a small set of hills that I rode through, the trees among the edges blocking out what little light I had before. I heard the arrows before I saw the people in the shadows. Panicked, I clicked my tongue for the horse to run faster, but I was suddenly falling, the horse crying out under me as it collapsed. I was sent flying across the road, hitting my head harshly against the ground or a rather hard rock, and my mind threatened to black out. I kept my conscious clear for a moment, looking up long enough to watch the men drop down from the shadows and surround my still crying horse, who was trying to stand upon a leg that had an arrow impaled through it. In addition to my weariness, my jumbled brain and aching skull caused my eyes to close. I didn't get to see, but I heard the swords slash through the air, and the horse gave out one last scream before it fell silent.

I struggled to keep my mind about, to fight off who ever had come, but my head was pounding so furiously. Then there was a presence above me, and I felt a leather covered finger brush against my cheek.

"Why, hello again, Miss Narina Auditore, no relation to the other Auditores." Wait. Whose voice was that? "It's a shame about the horse. I'm sorry that it had to come down to this, I really am." How insincere his voice was!

"You...who...are...?" I tried to ask, but I was suddenly blackening in and out of my mind.

"Save the questions for later, pretty lips. Now isn't the best time. Why don't you sleep for a bit, hm?"

I didn't have any other choice. No matter how hard I tried, I slipped into a state of unconsciousness.

When I awoke, I was alone. Not only that, but I was in a nicely furnished room, laying in a grand bed with silken sheets entrapped around me. For a moment, I was at a loss as to where I was and what had happened, but the memories slowly resurfaced, and I slowly sat up, rubbing the spot on my head where I remembered it pained me so much before. Not a moment later, the door opened, and a young man walked in, his dusty brown hair messy and his round, brown eyes seeming to laugh at me as he waltz in. I took note that he looked very familiar, like I had seen his face once before.

"It's good to see you are awake, Narina. How was your sleep?"

I shifted uncomfortably. "Who are you?"

The boy grinned, taking a seat in one of the chairs at the corner of the room. "You mean to tell me that you don't remember?" A pout fell upon his face, reminding me of a small boy. "Such a shame." He grinned again, folding his leg upon the other. "But I guess you can be forgiven. It has been quite some time, hasn't it?"

I felt my brow furrow. "I'll ask again—who are you?"

"It's good to see that assassin didn't take away that fiery side of you." He stood up from his seat and approached the bed. "I guess we can introduce each other again, no? My name is Lucio Carliaes, and you are Narina Auditore—but have no relation with the Auditores what-so-ever, right?"

I groped my mind for the name, and when I found it, I gasped and looked up at the young man. "You're that little rich snot I delivered the paintings to years ago?" The young boy who had reminded me of Ezio that day when Leonardo asked me to deliver paintings! Ah! How could I have forgotten so easily?

A frown graced his face. "Rich snot, is it? You were the one acting so unpleasant back then, not I. If you do not recall, I was the one who offered to take the heavy box from your hands."

I felt a sneer carve it's way into my face. "I knew something was weird about you. You're a Templar! I should have seen it sooner!"

"Now, now," Lucio amended. "Let's not be haste to judge, my dear. I am no Templar. I simply assist them. There is a difference."

"Yes, but you'll all end the same way," I spat. "Ezio's blade in your throat."

"Which blade are we talking about? From what I've heard, you've had his 'blade' in your throat as well."

In wide-eyed shock, I stared at the boy. "What? What ever you heard, you heard wrong!"

"All I've heard is that he's become intimate with our little treasure. Am I wrong?"

I growled. "I don't see why it's any of your business!"

Lucio laughed cheerfully. "You may not know it, my dear, but it's pretty much the entire worlds business."

"Quit speaking in riddles!" I snapped. "Tell me why you have kidnapped me!"

Lucio calmly leaned against the wall adjacent to the bed, staring over me quietly. "How about I explain in story form? I've not much time left to humor you." He held up a hand. "And before you ask why my time is limited, I'll give this to you straight. I'm about to die, by your Assassin, no doubt. He'll come crashing through that door in a matter of minutes and slay me. The least I can do is tell you a story from a time long before now."

"Why do I care about your stupid stories?"

Lucio smirked. "Because it affects everyone. You. Me. Your Lover. Even that thief boy you hung around with in Venezia." I stayed silent, suddenly wonder how close this boy had watched me—and more importantly, how he was able to pull it off.

"So," Lucio began, "this story starts off with a man living in the deserts to the east. Such a strong, good man he was. Upon his good nature for all to be well, he found and had the power of Eden within his custody without him even knowing. Now, when he figured out the power was there, he killed all who threatened the power he adored so much. Was he power hungry? No. But he didn't wish for those who would wrong the holy power to get a hold of it." By now, Lucio had made his way to sit on the edge of the bed, smiling at me softly. "Do you know what he did then, my dear?"

I frowned. "I'm guessing he hid the power."

"Indeed. But in order to hide it—,"Lucio suddenly leaned towards me, his face only inches from mine, his voice dropping down to a whisper, "-he created a lie."

I wasn't sure what it was, but I was suddenly so intrigued with the story. "A...a lie?" I whispered.

Seeing my interest, Lucio smirked in an odd way. "In order to protect the power, he lied to make sure it stayed hidden forever." He sat up straight again, pushing himself up off the bed as he walked back to the front of the bed. "'Twas a good lie. Even today, there are those who believe the lie." A smile. "But then there are people, like myself, who know the truth."

"Then what is the truth?"

Lucio laughed. "I'm sorry. My time is up, my dear. It's probably in your best interest to believe in the lie, anyhow. I don't need to go skewing your beliefs now. Goodbye, Narina. It was good to get to see you again."

When I went to object, suddenly willing to do anything to know the truth, the door was kicked in, and in a flash of white with a splatter of blood, Lucio lay dead on the floor, his throat slit and Ezio hovering over the boy, his robes spotted with red. There was a moment I was suddenly lost,eager to hear what truth Lucio had spoken of, wanting to know what he was even meaning. But it was too late now—I would never hear it from his lips.

Ezio's hands were touching my face, and my eyes slowly focused upon him. His lips were moving, but I heard no sound. My head was suddenly swimming with warmth and fuzzy images, like I was trying to remember something. I watched my eyesight dim, let my face fall forward to be pressed into Ezio's clothes.

"I'm so sorry," I heard myself whisper, but I felt like it wasn't for Ezio. Not for Lucio. It was for...for...who?

My mind slipped slowly, the sound of Lucio's voice whispering 'he lied' over and over again until I lost consciousness.

There you go.
Cryptic messages from a boy from Florence. Is it obvious what my plot is now? It may be because I know what I'm doing that it seems obvious, but maybe not.

Please review!
(And once again, if you really want to go into detail why I've decided to put this story on hold for a while, please message me. )

Thanks! :3