Chapter 11

Volpe's Warning

Isabel's POV

On our way to meet La Volpe, I saw something strange on the side of the church. I stopped and walked over.

"What is it?" He asked.

I looked around before pulling the switch. It opened the wall and I looked at Ezio. I took his hand and pulled him inside.

"Do you think this is one of the tombs your uncle was talking about?" I asked.

He nodded slowly.

"It could be. Well there is only one way to know for sure. Lets go, but be careful il mio amore." (My love.)

I smiled when he called me that. He jumped down and then looked at me. I jumped down into his arms and he smiled.

"Why thank you Messer Auditore."

He held me with a smile.

"Oh my please Madonna Ferrari."

I kissed his warm lips before he set me down. We walked into the middle of the room and looked around. I finally looked up and nudged Ezio.

"It would seem we have a bit of climbing to do." I said.

"Indeed. Well the sooner we start the sooner we find the tomb."

I nodded and we started climbing. They had been painting, which was why there were so many things to climb up on. It was off to a beautiful start.

"You like art don't you?"

"Yes. I always have. It takes you to another world."

He smiled and pulled me up.

"There is a room in the Villa. I'm going to fill it with paintings for you."

I smiled and he kissed my hand. We continue to climb until we reached the top. Ezio pulled me up and saw her. That statue at the Villa. I walked up and looked at her. She really did have my face. In fact she looked almost exactly like me.

"Ezio…do you think that I might be a descendent of hers?"

He came up behind me and looked at the statue.

"I believe so, yes. Uncle would know more. When we go back, we will ask him."

I nodded and took one last look at her. I shook my head and then we left. I led him to La Volpe and he smiled when he saw me.

"Ferrari."

I took Ezio's hand.

"This is Ezio Auditore. We need your help my old friend."

"I know who he is."

"I need to find someone; to know where he'll be before he even does."

"Who?"

"Francesco de' Pazzi."

Volpe nodded and thought for a minute. Ezio squeezed my hand but he continued to watch Volpe.

"There's word on the street of a caravan just arrived from Roma. A secret meeting at sunset tonight. You can learn something of Francesco's whereabouts there."

Ezio took a step forward.

"Do you know where it is to be held?"

Volpe chuckled.

"Ma certo.(Yes) Let me know when you're ready and we'll go."

He nodded and then looked at me.

"Do you trust him?"

I gave him a small smile and a nod.

"Well I trust you, la mia rosa." he said.

I smiled and he kissed me softly.

"I'm happy for you Ferrari. You deserve the love he gives you."

I smiled and Ezio looked at him.

"Then let us go."

He nodded and took off. Volpe had always been fast.

Ezio's POV

He was fast! Just like Isabel. We followed him and I was out of breath when we stopped. Isabel put her hand on my shoulder and I covered her hand with mine.

"I'm alright. I'm just not as fast as you." I joked.

She smiled at me and shook her head.

"Francesco de Pazzi is meeting his people inside that church. There are catacombs that run under the city. They'll lead you to a place where you can eavesdrop on the meeting." he pointed. "Grip that stone handle, turn it, then slide it down."

I nodded.

"Thank you for all your help, Volpe."

"No need for thanks. Take care of Ferrari, she deserves a good life. A life full of love and happiness. Your thanks can be your promise to take care of her."

I smiled and put my arm around her waist.

"I give you my word."

Isabel hugged him and kissed his cheek.

"Ille quid cogitaret. Et vir honestus est." (He's not what we thought. He's an honorable man.) she said.

She speaks Latin?

Volpe smiled.

"Confide semper scivit. Qui te amat. Sed necesse est tutari. Hoc iter mortis elegit tenet circum omnem angulum." (I always knew he had a good heart. He loves you. But you must protect him.)

I saw fear in Isabel's eyes.

"Quid est?" (What do you mean?)

Volpe looked at me.

"Ille Assassin. Quaerunt et non erit tristis neque turbulentus donec mortuus." (He's an Assassin. They're looking for him and they won't stop until he's dead.)

Isabel looked at me.

"What did you say to her!?"

"I wasn't trying to upset her. I told her what I did so that she would be cautious. I never want her to get hurt. I've known her since she was a little girl. She's suffered enough heartbreak. I know that if she loses you…"

He did not finish. He looked away and shook his head.

"Buona fortuna Ezio."

He left and I looked at Isabel.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes. I assure you. Now lets go."

I nodded and we climbed down. I did what Volpe said and we went down into the catacombs.