Kat POV
"So, Ezio, how did you meet Katia?" Leonardo asked, innocently
"Well, I was being chased by a merchant for sleeping on his roof and Ezio saved me." I reply, curling my toes in my shoes
"Yes, it was very embarrassing for you, Bella, I had to carry you like a baby." Ezio chuckled, half teasing me
"Hey! you didn't have to save me!"
"A damsel in distress, how could I resist?"
"Where are you from, Katia?" Leo asks
"Errm. This may sound really weird but I'mfromthefutureandIlivedintheyear2019inEngland.
"Jesus, Mary and Joseph! does she speak the truth, Ezio?"
"That would explain the strange clothes I found her in."
"Of course. I assume the work at Carnevale was yours?"
"Si, that was me."
"Has she been officially inducted into the order?"
"No, she has not."
"Then it's settled. We will all convene at the Basilica de San Marco at dusk for Katia's induction."
"Oh! Really?!"
"Yes." Ezio beams
"One question, does it hurt?"
"Only a little. See you at dusk."
"Till dusk." Leonardo leaves, letting me and Ezio have some alone time
"So?"
"So what?"
"How do I die?"
"If I tell you, it may not happen."
"Alright. How about you tell me a story from your time instead?"
"Ok. This was published in the early 1900's, it is called The Phantom of The Opera. it was made into a musical in the 1980's. It was a rehearsal for an opera called Hannibal. It was going relatively smoothly the new owners were introduced to the cast. Then the flies nearly killed Carlotta Giudicelli, la prima donna for 19 seasons at that point and she angrily quit. A chorus girl took the spot for the show. Her name was Christine Daae and she had a mysterious tutor. She sang beautifully that night. The new patron was her childhood friend, Raoul. He invited her to dinner but she refused, frightened of the 'angel of music'. A mysterious voice reprimanded her and then her mirror opened and a man was there. He led her down to the underground caverns."
"Can you sing a song from the show for me?"
"Of course. This is a duet, do you mind singing the male part with me?"
"Alright. Teach me."
"I will write it out for you. Sheet music as well."
Once I have finished scribbling everything down, we settle at the piano. and Ezio begins.
Ezio
No more talk of darkness
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I'm here, nothing can harm you
My words will warm and calm you
Let me be your freedom
Let daylight dry your tears
I'm here, with you, beside you
To guard you and to guide you
Katia
Say you love me every waking moment
Turn my head with talk of summertime
Say you need me with you now and always
Promise me that all you say is true
That's all I ask of you
Ezio
Let me be your shelter
Let me be your light
You're safe, no one will find you
Your fears are far behind you
Katia
All I want is freedom
A world with no more night
And you, always beside me
To hold me and to hide me
Ezio
Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Let me lead you from your solitude
Say you need me with you, here beside you
Anywhere you go, let me go too
love me, that's all I ask of you
Both
Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Say the word and I will follow you.
Share each day with me
Each night, each morning
Katia
Say you love me!
Ezio
You know I do
Both
Anywhere you go, let me go too
Love me, that's all I ask of you
(They kiss)
"Wow. You can sing really well."
"Don't sell yourself short, you weren't too shabby either." I laugh.
"Thank you. Shall we walk and you can finish telling me more of the story."
"Of course."
He leads me to the gardens and we walk through.
"So what happens is when Firmin and Andre don't obey him, he ruins the performance of Il Muto and kills the flies master. Then Christine and Raoul admit their feelings for one another - that's the song we sung and the Phantom gets jealous. Act 2 opens with a masquerade ball which the Phantom gate crashes and leaves them with an opera." I smile as we walk past some beautiful rose bushes We walk and talk some more until we end up on a loveseat and Ezio rests his head against my shoulder.
"Then Meg shoots Christine and before she dies, she tells Gustave his father is the Phantom, not Raoul. and it ends with Gustave unmasking Erik and embracing his father. And that is Phantom of the Opera and Love Never Dies in a nutshell." I notice Ezio has fallen asleep. I leave him there.
When dusk rolls around, I am dressed in form fitting assassin robes and I am snuck to the Basilica. I climb to the top of it where Ezio, Leo, Bartolomeo, Mario, Paola and everyone is waiting for me. Mario is holding a brand about the size of my finger.
"Laa shay'a waqi'un mutlaq bale kouloun moumkin. These are the words spoken by our ancestors - that lay the heart of the creed." Mario begins
"Where other men blindly follow the truth remember..." Paola speaks
"Nothing is true." I say, the honour overcoming my nerves
"Where other men are limited by morality or law, remember..." Volpe nods
"Everything is permitted." I say
"We work in the dark." Bartolomeo says
"To serve the light." A new face, who I assume is Niccolo Machiavelli, nods
"We are assasins." Ezio grins
"Nothing is true, everything is permitted." Everyone speaks except me.
"It is time, Katia." Volpe smiles.
"In this modern age, we are not so literal as our ancestors. But our seal is no less permanent. Are you ready to join us?" Barto nods.
Mario brings the brand to my finger but he doesn't make contact. "Si." I grin
"This only hurts for a while, sister. Like so many things." Ezio reassures me. I focus on him as the brand makes contact with my ring finger and I hiss.
"Merda!" I whisper through gritted teeth, the smell of burning flesh creeping into my nose.
"Come on, we have much to do." Niccolo grins and jumps off the basilica. Everyone else follows. Ezio offers to jump with me. I counter offer a race. I win. The rush of air as I perform my leap of faith takes my breath away. The soft cushioning of hay brings me back to reality as Paola and Mario drag me out of the cart to make way for Ezio. Ezio falls down where I just landed.
"Welcome to the Brotherhood, Bella." Ezio smiles, blowing a stray strand of hay out of his face. That makes me laugh.