I stood at the gates to Hope's mansion debating whether or not to ring the bell. I'd sobered up since last night and finally had some time to think without the bottle in the way. She'd said they wanted me back. That they'd been worried... I figured the next time I'd see an Assassin was when one slid a blade between my ribs.
I saw Lisbon again last night. This time instead of the streets it was the church. Everything I undid one of those locks I heard a scream. Jesus on his cross begged me silently not to walk down those stairs. Instead of a black star atop a stone pedestal there was a tree with a single red apple hanging from a branch. When I plucked it the floor gave way to crimson flames and a deep laugh. When I raced back up the stairs... it wasn't Lisbon anymore... it was the Homestead... it wasn't parishioner's falling it was the Assassins. Achilles... Liam...Hope... I knew it wasn't real but it could be. We had not idea where these temples where. There could be one under the Homestead! And if they found it and made the same mistake that I did...
With that thought fresh in my mind I grabbed the bell rope and gave it one swift tug. A nearby group of her men wandered over and sized me up. "Anything 'oi could help you with?"
"I'm here to see your employer." These men weren't much better than thugs. I didn't like it but sometimes the Order had to pay for help not fully dedicated to the cause.
"Mistress 'Ope is a 'ery busy woman. She don't letc just anyone in."
"She'll see me. Just tell her it's Shay Cormac."