Chapter 16: A Step Too Far
"Shay…" Kira muttered, almost in disbelief at what he had said. All hope of her escaping the situation without causing too much trouble had vanished, and she shook her head slightly, completely and utterly lost for words.
Shay's hand hovered in the air for a while as he gazed at Connor expectantly, waiting for the younger man to accept his gesture. It soon became clear that Connor would do no such thing, and so he lowered his hand, murmuring something under his breath as he did so. Connor's eyes were wide, as he, like Kira, silently pieced together the puzzle of what was occurring. He glanced at her, and then back at Shay, still uncertain of who the man exactly was. He had reasoned that this was, without doubt, the subject of Kira's argument with Achilles, and so he stared at the Templar inquisitively. "You're…" he began, but his words drifted into nothingness as he turned to fetch his mentor.
Kira realised that this was something she could not let happen, and in a moment of strength found both her voice and composure, instinctively reaching out and seizing his arm, preventing him from turning any further. "Connor, wait, please, I can explain."
He faced her again, his eyes dark, and bearing a mixture of anger and confusion. "Who is this?" He demanded powerfully, wanting much more than the stranger's name.
She lowered her head, and Shay, realising the two Assassins needed space, told Kira he would wait for her outside, though not before laying a hand on her shoulder supportively. Kira waited for him to leave, before facing Connor again. "Shay is… he is an old friend."
"A Templar?" he hissed, his eyes bearing into hers with great intensity.
"No. Well yes, he is. But..." Her hands moved about in the air as she tried to find the words she needed. "He was not always a Templar. He was one of us, an Assassin."
"Then why-"
"I do not know why he left. I know as much about that as you do, but for heaven's sake, Connor, I need to find out."
"If you would only ask Achilles,"
"Achilles will not tell me. He will never tell me what happened- he's hiding something, and I want to know what. I need to know what."
Connor shook his head, his initial anger dispelling and his natural curiosity taking over. "Achilles would never lie to us, would never hide something."
"He let me think that Shay was dead for eighteen years, Connor. He told me he was dead. You just saw him for yourself, so you know that to be a lie."
"But why?"
"That is what I need to find out." Kira's voice softened as she pleaded with him gently. "Please, Connor, I am as curious about this as you are. I know Achilles; you are right, he would never lie, but in this case, he has. Can you not understand that something isn't right? Shay will tell me the truth, please, I have to go with him so that I can understand what it is."
Connor visibly hesitated, his mind torn by his hatred for the Templars, and yet also by his understanding that Kira was right, and that for some reason he could not fathom, Achilles had lied. It was this that settled his mind on what he would do, though he was still swamped by uncertainty. "How can you be sure that the Templar will not lie? He is dangerous."
"Shay is not dangerous, and he would never lie to me, not in this instance. I am certain he wants me to know the truth as much as I myself want to know."
The younger Assassin shifted uncomfortably, these words offering little reassurance. "Kira, I trust you, I trust your judgement. If you think this is for the best, then I will go along with it, but let me make this clear..." He straightened slightly, leant towards her a little intimidatingly, and for a moment, Kira could see the same look in his eyes that Haytham often shared. It sent a small shiver down her spine to think of this when he spoke. "This is the only exception I will make. I will not tell Achilles he was here, but if I see him here again, I will kill him."
So will I, Kira thought to herself, irritated by how much trouble Shay had almost caused. She breathed a sigh of relief, offering a slight smile to her fellow Assassin. "Thank you, Connor," she voiced, aloud this time. "This is for the best, I promise."
"It better be." He watched as Kira reached for her coat and began to pull it on. At this moment, he thought he'd better return to Achilles before the man came to investigate what was taking so long. "Kira, be careful, please," he added, a touch of warmth in his voice that brought another smile to her face.
"I will, Connor, try not to worry." By now, she had secured her coat around herself and was ready to leave. She placed a hand on his shoulder reassuringly, the joy in her eyes juxtaposing the discomfort in his. "I shall probably be a while, so I'll bid you goodnight."
"Goodnight, Kira."
She left, and Connor returned to Achilles, who was still seated in the dining room, looking frustrated and equally lost in thought. Connor noted the man had not touched his meal since he had left him.
"Who was it, Connor, and where is Kira?" Achilles asked, his voice a little unsteady.
"Someone new to the homestead. They were having some trouble, so Kira has gone to assist them. She said she needed to get away for a while," Connor lied.
…
"So, how did things go with your young friend?" Shay's eyes sparkled with amusement at Kira's apparent frustration as she approached, though the look she gave him suggested that all was well. He had taken to leaning against a tree for the last few minutes, but as she drew nearer, he straightened to meet her.
"You bastard," she said, giving him a shove, but there was a certain playfulness in her tone. "I am glad the risk of my exile from the brotherhood is so amusing."
"Worse things could happen," he laughed, giving her a light push backwards in return.
Kira couldn't help smiling at him as he grinned at her in such a child-like manner. She had missed being with him. When she had first come to America, he was the sole Assassin with whom she could have fun and be herself, as opposed to most of the others, who expected her to be her most mature and sensible self at all times. More than anything, she missed the way things used to be- with the Assassins prospering, and the Colonies being a less war-torn state. She pushed these thoughts aside as she focused on her current situation. "In all seriousness though, Shay, why are you here?"
The Templar's face dropped a little as he was reminded of why he'd come. "I am afraid you will not like what I have to say."
She raised an eyebrow in suspicion. "What is it?"
"The artefact- the crystal ball. It was stolen."
"Stolen?" Kira repeated, almost in disbelief. Worry was already lodging in her chest, light and nauseating, and she forced a pragmatic curiosity to supersede it. "How could it have been stolen? I only gave it to Haytham this morning."
"I do not know, all I know is it was taken from us."
That was strangely vague, though Kira elected to ignore it in favour of finding some amusement in the situation. "So what you're saying is, your great and wonderful Grand Master Kenway cannot keep something in his possession for more than a few hours?" She laughed a little. "No wonder he did not come to tell me himself."
Shay frowned, hardly enjoying the mockery in her tone, but grateful at least she was not taking the news badly. "Fortunately," he continued, "we know who took it, and where it is. It is just a matter of taking it back."
"And you need my help? That is why you're here, no?"
He grinned. "Your help would be very much appreciated."
She laughed some more. "Oh, that's just wonderful."
Her companion maintained a stoic façade throughout the display, but it was hardly a convincing one. It was no surprise that Kira harboured so little respect for the Order, or his leader, though still, he found her ridicule undeniably striking a chord. It was something- he realised, with a sinking feeling- to which he would have to become accustomed. They were on different sides, now, after all.
Kira noticed her friend's discomfort, and on realising her mistake, offered him a more affectionate smile. "Shay, please understand, I mean you no offence. I just cannot believe Haytham allowed this to happen. He acts so superior to everyone else; it is amusing that he of all people made a mistake like this."
The man forced a smile. "I understand. So, will you help us?"
"What choice do I have? I wish for the artefact to be returned to Connor's people."
"Excellent," Shay clasped his hands with genuine relief. "Then we should leave at once. We will meet Master Kenway near where the artefact is being kept, and with luck, we can retrieve it before morning."
"That sounds just fine."
Kira led Shay to the stables, and after they had each settled on a horse, they set off. They rode silently at first; a less-than intrusive presence amongst the humbling stillness of the Frontier. Soon, however, the pair ebbed into an inevitable conversation, both keen to discuss all that had occurred in the time they had been separated. At last, Kira would have the answers she had so desperately sought, and the truth of Shay's story.
…
"Are we close?" Kira whispered, though loud enough for Shay to hear. They had reached Boston, the streets devoid of life, and the constant clip-clop of the horses' hooves on the cobbled road being the only sound to break the silence.
"Yes. We had better find a place to tether the horses, and go the rest of the way on foot."
Kira nodded in agreement, and they had soon walked the horses to the edge of the road, dismounted, and fastened their reins to a fence. Kira was taking an unusually long time to ensure the reins of her horse were secured tightly; she was lost in thought, and still taking in all of the information Shay had conveyed to her on their journey. They had both been able to come to an understanding of what had happened to each other in the years after his alleged death, but from her quietness, Shay was unsure of what Kira thought about what he had told her.
"Kira?" he asked, his voice low so as to avoid anyone hearing them.
"Hmm…?" Satisfied her horse was safely tethered, she turned a little to face him.
"Before we go, I want to make sure everything is alright between us."
"Of course, why wouldn't it be?"
He sighed. "I killed them, Kira. Adéwalé, Kesegowaase, Chevalier… Hope, and Liam. I killed them all."
"I know." She stared down at the floor, refusing to meet his gaze.
"But I need to know if that changes anything. What you think of me, now that you know the truth."
Kira took a moment to reply, and when she looked up at him, it was with a mixture of emotions, none of which he could identify with certainty. "It is hard to hear that it was you who killed the other Assassins. They were our friends, our mentors... but if what you say is true, then I do not see what other choice you had. Certainly, if they discovered another precursor site, then a great many people would have died… What you did, you did for the greater good. It was right, I think, even though it cost the lives of our friends."
He breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed slightly. "So this does not change anything between us?"
"No. I still trust you, and no matter what has happened in the past, you are still my friend. I cannot resent you for doing the right thing, unfortunate though it was."
"Good. I am glad to hear you say that," he smiled, feeling as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. "Shall we go?"
"Yes, but I want to ask one other question."
"What is it?"
"If I had not left for Europe, all those years ago, if I had stayed… Would you have killed me, too?"
It was Shay's turn to stop and think, and in the moments he took to work out how he would respond, Kira waited anxiously for the answer, her heart beating a little harder in her chest. His face was grave when he looked at her, but suddenly, the beginnings of a smile appeared across his features. "No," he grinned, "I wouldn't have had to, you'd have come with me."
She laughed a little, relieved beyond belief at his answer. "Yes," she nodded, "I probably would have done."
It was as she said these words that she froze, the smile disappearing in an instant. Noticing this, Shay took a step towards her, enquiringly. "Kira…?"
"I just realised," she stared into his eyes, with an expression as if something had just become dreadfully clear. "You're right. I would have wanted to go with you. I would never have trusted the Assassins if I had known what they had done, that it was they who killed you… That explains why Achilles never told me the truth, he must have feared I would follow you."
Shay said nothing, but returned her gaze curiously, as if his saying something would somehow disturb her thoughts. She looked back at him, before shaking her head. "Come on," she said, "let us focus on the task at hand."
He smiled, nodded, and proceeded to lead her to where he and Haytham had intended to meet, whilst hoping to himself that the rest of the night would go as planned.
…
Soon Shay and Kira neared where Haytham was waiting for them to arrive. Kira could see him- a little way off- crouched behind a few barrels and crates, staring towards a building which she presumed to be where the artefact was being held. Haytham was not yet aware of their presence; they were yet to come within earshot of him.
"If you don't mind me asking, what is the nature of your relationship with Master Kenway?" Shay asked her, his pace slowing a little so that they had a few moments to talk before being noticed by his Grand Master.
Kira looked up at him, a little amused. "I despise the man. He's gone out of his way to make my life miserable in recent months."
"Why?"
"I haven't the faintest idea, though I feel my hatred towards him is equally reciprocated."
"Hate is a strong word," he beamed at her. "Anyway, he'll grow on you."
She rolled her eyes. "I do not want him to grow on me, I want him to leave me alone."
At this point, their presence was noted by Haytham, and he turned on hearing their voices. "Ah, Miss Lawrence, it was good of you to join us," he stated, raising himself from the crouched position he had previously taken up to observe the building ahead of them.
"You left me no choice, what with you so carelessly losing the artefact to begin with," she countered.
He gave her a warning glance before facing Shay. "Shay, you know what you have to do?"
"Of course, I'll get started at once." With a farewell nod to them both, Shay turned, intent on leaving.
"Good luck, Shay," Haytham added, and Kira nudged his arm with hers, seizing his attention. He frowned back at her, confused by the meaning of the gesture.
"He makes his own luck, remember?" she muttered under her breath, and quiet enough that only Haytham could hear it.
Indeed, Shay had turned back to his Grand Master, a cocky grin spread across his face. "You forget, Master Kenway, I make my own luck!"
With that, he was gone, leaving Haytham looking amused and Kira laughing to herself quietly. She shook her head before turning towards the building which Haytham had been studying, making observations of her own. She crouched behind the crates, grateful for the dark shadows cast by them, as they concealed her presence from anyone residing inside. From the constant movement of silhouettes past the various windows, she could perceive it was a great many people. As she made her mental calculations, Haytham moved to crouch beside her, he too watching the activity inside the house.
"So," she whispered, "you have a plan?"
He cast a sideways glance at her, before turning back to the building. "The artefact is on the ground floor, where the majority of guards will be. There are, however, a number of them on the first floor. It is through that window," he pointed at a window on the first floor, facing another building, "that we shall enter. We will provide a distraction- enabling Shay to enter through the back door, and take the artefact whilst we divert their attention."
"What sort of distraction?"
He looked at her again, his eyes steeled with concentration. "We kill them."
"And that is the only way?"
"Yes. These people are thieves, murderers- their deaths will prove no great loss to society, believe me."
"I see. Well, everything seems simple enough."
"Sometimes it is the simplest plans that are the most effective."
She nodded, raising herself slightly and at the same time reaching for the hood of her robes. Pulling it over her head, she looked at Haytham and gestured forwards with her hand. "Lead the way."
Haytham first approached the building that stood beside their target, with Kira close at his heels. He was not quite running, but he led a swift pace, ensuring they were moving as quickly and yet quietly as possible. Kira followed on, her footsteps falling almost silently on the cobbles, and the chill of the night air far from her mind. Haytham began his ascent up the building, his hands meeting each ledge and hold with confidence. Each movement already had been meticulously planned and calculated in his head, ensuring each one's success. Kira followed, somewhat impressed by how efficiently he managed the climb and even more impressed by her own ability to keep up with him. By the time they had reached the rooftop, her fingers were numb with cold, and she brought them up to her face, blowing hot air over them and rubbing her hands together in an attempt to warm them. The stone and brick with which buildings were made seemed always to be cold at night, no matter the time of year, and climbing them always left her fingers without feeling.
The Templar noticed her stop, and he took the opportunity to assess the window they would enter through at this closer distance. It had been left open a crack to ventilate the building- rather conveniently, he thought- and it would present no problems to their entry.
"Are you ready?" he asked, glancing at her.
"Always."
He took a few steps back, before running forward and making the jump between the two houses, his hands catching onto the window ledge, leaving him hanging below the window. He kept his head low to avoid being seen by those inside, and he moved to the very end of the ledge, leaving space for Kira to join him. She peered over the gap between the two buildings, apprehensively. It was larger than she'd have liked, and even though she rarely doubted her skills, she couldn't help feeling slightly nervous as she made the jump. Thankfully, her fingers latched onto the ledge beside Haytham's, and she hung there for a moment, waiting for him to make the next move. She glanced at him, expectantly, her arms aching slightly from having to hold herself up. "No, please, take your time," she hissed, as she watched him slowly reach up to the window and pry it open.
He sighed, irritated by her tone, as he pulled himself up to and then over the window sill. Kira watched him disappear, and as soon as she heard his feet fall onto the other side, she too pulled herself up and soon found herself standing behind him. It was a relatively large room, which possessed only the bare minimum of furniture and decorations. There were several men- four, she counted, though she did not doubt that there would be a great many more downstairs.
They had all caught sight of the two intruders, and immediately a cry of alarm went up, calling for assistance from those downstairs. Haytham lurched forwards, unsheathing his sword, and catching the first man off guard with the suddenness of his attack. Mercilessly, Haytham plunged his sword into the man's chest, twisting it aggressively before withdrawing it, sending blood splashing to the floor, and staining the wood a dark crimson. Kira winced, but another man had made for her, and she ducked as a knife came slashing towards her head. At the same time, her left hand shot upwards to catch her attacker's arm. She twisted it away from him, causing him to drop the weapon in pain and stumble somewhat towards her, allowing her to move her free hand to his throat, her hidden blade sliding out of place and lodging itself in the man's neck: a fatal blow. She pushed him to the floor, flicking her blade to the side to rid it of excess blood.
Looking up, Kira noted that one of the four men had run downstairs to fetch the others, leaving the last to fend for himself against Haytham. Haytham clearly had the upper hand, but the other man fought skilfully, dodging each of Haytham's strikes, though it looked as though it were becoming increasingly difficult to do so. Kira reached for one of the two daggers she kept sheathed at her side, and threw it forwards with distinct accuracy, watching as it lodged into the side of the guard's head.
Haytham looked up at her. His sword had been mid-swing when Kira's dagger had struck his opponent, and his face was an image of disbelief: both impressed by her skill, and surprised she'd had the audacity to interrupt him in the first place. She shrugged her shoulders, walking forwards and reaching down to her last victim, pulling the dagger from his head. The sound of raised voices came from the stairs, and so she backed away a little, withdrawing her other dagger from its sheath and preparing herself for what was about to come.
She watched as Haytham moved to the side of the stairs, where the approaching men could not see him. He gave her a knowing nod, which she returned, and as the first man made it to the top of the stairs, the Templar sprung up and pushed him violently towards her. The guard was put off balance, and he stumbled towards Kira, allowing her to push a dagger into his chest before he could even raise his weapon. He fell to her side as she began, like Haytham, to attack the onslaught of guards that came flooding from the stairs.
After a few minutes of fighting, the last guard approached Kira, his eyes carrying a surprising determination given that his fellow-men had been so easily slaughtered. Haytham had finished off his last opponent, and he watched as the guard lunged at Kira, a knife held out towards her. She side-stepped the attack easily and moved behind him as he reeled forwards, planting her foot sharply into the back of his knee, and forcing him to the ground. Before his knees could even reach the floor, her blade had moved to his throat, and she cut it swiftly- ensuring he would die a relatively quick and painless death. He collapsed onto the floor, dead, whilst blood sheeted down his chest.
She cast a glance to Haytham as she sheathed her dagger and recovered her breath. "Is that all of them, do you think?"
"I would say so. Come, let us see how Shay has fared."
He began to head down the stairs, and she followed him quickly. As they reached the bottom, she observed three men, all lying on their backs; dead. Presumably, these were the guards that had stayed behind to guard the artefact. Shay stood over one, obviously having just finished with him. He wore a satchel around his shoulder, and Kira sighed with relief at the sight of it, knowing it must surely contain the orb.
"You have the artefact?" Haytham asked, gesturing towards the satchel.
Shay nodded, giving it a light pat for emphasis. "Yes, here."
"Good. We had better depart before more arrive."
…
Tired from their endeavours, yet energised by their success, the three made their way down the street. Kira did not know where they were headed- probably The Green Dragon- but for the moment she did not care. They had made a good distance from the house they had just attacked, and glancing around, she couldn't see a single soul, save for her companions. She decided now was as good a time as any, and with this in mind, she paused to let the two Templars walk a few steps ahead. Unflinchingly, she drew her flintlock pistol from her holster and levelled it with Shay's head.
"Stop, now," she ordered.
The two men turned, surprise spreading across both of their faces as they saw the gun in her hand.
"Not a single move from either of you," she continued, targeting Haytham particularly with this command. He was without a gun to his head, and therefore, was most likely to try and stop her. "The orb, Shay. Give it to me."
Shay didn't dare move as he waited for Haytham's advice. The older man stepped forwards, almost menacingly. "Or what? You'll kill him?" There was a slight smirk to his voice.
"Yes," she spoke, unwaveringly, her arm steady.
"I don't believe you," Haytham said.
Kira picked up on the hint of apprehension to his voice. "Believe me when I say that I thought Shay dead for eighteen years, and I managed. If that is how it must be, then so be it."
She was lying, of course. She could never hurt Shay, let alone kill him, but Haytham didn't know that. The conviction of her tone and the steely determination in her eyes told him one thing: that she would be more than happy to end Shay's life should that be necessary.
After what felt like an age of silence, Haytham spoke. "Give it to her, Shay."
Almost reluctantly, Shay reached for the satchel and held it out to Kira cautiously.
Kira took it into her spare hand, at once alarmed by how light it was. She frowned, confused, taking a further step back from the men, and at the same time placing her pistol back in its holster. Something told her the Templars would not try and stop her, and this was proved to be correct as she began a search of the satchel, whilst the others watched, silently. The artefact was nowhere to be seen. It was empty, aside from something she couldn't quite make out. Perplexed, she reached inside and pulled out the object: an amulet, similar to that which Haytham wore around his neck.
"What is this?" she asked, noticing that both men stared at the ground, refusing to meet her gaze. She tried again, desperately. "What is this? Where is the artefact?"
It was Haytham who looked up at her first. "I assure you that the artefact is safe, it is with William. That," he nodded towards the amulet, "that is something else."
"Clearly," she spat, angrily. "Are you trying to tell me that everything we did tonight was for this? Only this?" She waved the object about in the air.
"I am afraid so."
"You lied to me!" Kira growled in response, taking an aggressive step forward.
"Kira, please," it was Shay who now spoke, trying to assist his Grand Master in some way, "it was not only Master Kenway-"
"Shay, you were only following his orders!"
Haytham approached her slightly, his hands held up as if he were accepting responsibility for his actions. "It is true, they were my orders, but..." he paused to offer her a confident smile, "we were in need of your help. You should view it as a compliment-"
Kira punched him. Hard. It took him completely by surprise, even sending him backwards a little. "How dare you!" she glowered, showing no remorse for what she had done.
Haytham rubbed his face with his hand where she had struck him, almost in disbelief. His eyes bore into hers, alight with anger. "Shay?" he addressed the younger man, who had been watching the whole scene in a state of amazement.
"Yes, sir?"
"I think you had better leave."
"But Master Kenway-"
"Go, now, before I lose my patience," he commanded, forcefully.
Shay cast an apologetic look towards Kira, before nodding, obediently. "Yes, sir."
Once Shay had left, Haytham turned his attention to the woman in front of him and found his glare returned. At any other moment, she'd have been terrified to have been left with him, especially after hitting him. Now, however, her anger overwhelmed all other senses as she fearlessly stood him down.
It was he that broke the silence first. "How dare you," he seethed. "How dare you be so disrespectful as to…"
It was a step too far for Kira. "Disrespectful? You bastard, I'll show you disrespectful!" She lunged at him- all fear or logic aside- knowing fully well that this action would probably be her last, and not caring in the slightest.
Haytham dodged her attack effortlessly, succeeding only in further provoking her rage, as she threw another punch at him, this time hitting her target. He growled, and like her, launched himself forwards to attack. She was able to duck under, and then side-step his first two punches, but as she was busy avoiding the second, he kicked out at her knee, sending her buckling to the ground.
She cried out as she hit the cobbled street, and he took the opportunity to throw himself on her, pinning her to the ground. Though he usually had the power to restrain her, her anger now afforded her a new bout of strength, and she was able to twist a hand briefly out of his grasp. With this hand, she struck him violently across the face, and as he reeled from the blow, she rolled out from underneath him, pushing him onto his back, and pinning him as he had done her.
For a few moments they wrestled for domination over each other in this way, until finally, as Haytham had her held to the ground, Kira managed to position a foot against his chest. She kicked him backwards, giving her enough precious time to get back on her feet. They stood apart for a short while, each regaining their breath before Kira threw yet another punch. The man moved to the side, her fist narrowly missing his head, and caught her arm with his hand, twisting it and sending her to her knees beside him. As she fell, she co-ordinated a strike to the inside of his knee, making him stumble forwards, and giving her an opportunity to recover once more.
Their fight had led them to a secluded alley leading-off the street, and as Kira rose to her feet, Haytham planted a hand firmly around her throat, and with this hold, lifted her to the nearest wall. He pushed her against it, his hands moving to restrain both of hers by the side of her head. She gasped as the cold of the wall struck her back so suddenly, but she still fought violently against him, twisting and writhing as much as she could in an attempt to break free. She kicked out at his leg, her foot catching his shin, causing him to shout out in pain. Still, he held firm, and his eyes glared into hers.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" he demanded, his grip tightening around her wrists and causing her eyes to water with pain.
"You lied to me!" she gasped, still fighting against him.
"No. You wouldn't fight like this over a lie. Tell me what it truly is that has you so upset."
"I killed people!" she exclaimed, refusing to meet his gaze as she struggled against his grasp.
"So what?" he hissed, pushing her a little harder against the wall as if to knock some sense into her. "You are an Assassin, you are supposed to kill people!"
"I am supposed to kill people for what's right!" she cried, desperately, practically hysterical. "Not so some bloody Templars can go around chasing foolish myths and legends!"
"Watch your tongue," he spat, once again hardening his grip as a warning.
"Or what?" She wouldn't look at him as she spoke. "You'll beat me? Kill me? That is all you Templars do, you just fight- or even kill- anyone who dares disagree with you. Well, do you know what? I'm sick of it!" Now her eyes turned to his, narrowing, and all at once she stopped fighting him. "I'm sick of you."
They both remained silent for a moment, both exhausted from their confrontation. Kira sighed, glancing at the ground below her. "Let me down," she said, simply.
"Are you sure you won't-"
"Let me down."
Her voice had raised slightly, and so he loosened his grip on her wrists, reluctantly letting her out of his grasp.
Haytham took a step away from her, and Kira looked up at his face, taking some pleasure in the fact that a small trail of blood trickled from both his nose and lip. She sighed again, wanting nothing more than to go to her house and sleep. To rest, and to recover from everything that had happened. "Keep your amulet," she said, her voice low. "What's done is done. Those people are dead, and your having it will not change that. When you are finished with the orb, I want you to return it to Connor's people. And finally? Understand this: I never want to see you again. Do not be deceived into thinking you will be able to threaten me, or blackmail me. If you come anywhere near me, I will kill you."
With this warning having been issued, she placed the amulet into the satchel and handed it to him. She did not wait to see how he responded to her threat, but simply turned and walked away, hoping with all her heart that she would never have to lay eyes on him again.
Author notes:
Hi, everyone. Thanks for taking the time to read my story so far. Please review, follow, or favourite my story, as I appreciate all feedback, and I'd love to hear what you think. :)
So, as promised, I managed to get this chapter out much earlier than usual. I've decided that, like this chapter, I'm going to try to make all new chapters longer than what they used to be.
As for what's next: I've got about three weeks of free time, meaning I should post at least one other longer chapter within that time. After that, I'll be on holiday for a while, meaning I won't be posting any chapters, but as I said, I'm hoping to get the next chapter out sooner rather than later, so that'll hopefully make up for my absence.
I hope you're enjoying the story so far- I know I'm having fun writing it. :D
Kittycat312
