Chapter 6

George sprinted down the street following the sound of loud shouts. He forced himself to run faster as fast as his legs would let him. He couldn't be sure whether Jacob was following him but there was no time to check whether he was there or not. Rounding a corner, he finally laid eyes on the group. He could see Evie surrounded by a group of men much taller than she was. As he sprinted towards them he saw her being thrown on the ground, where she did not move. One of the men crouched over her, staring down at her. George did not know what was about to happen but he was not going to allow it to happen. As he ran he pulled out his kurki, he hoped he would not have to use it but he would not take the chance. From his current distance, it was not clear whether the group were carrying any weapons. But as he got a little closer he could see that one was indeed holding a knife. But this was no worry, these people were just thugs, they would be no match for a highly skilled Assassins with decades of experience. As he neared the group George slowed to a walk. He was only a couple of metres away from them.

"If you value your lives then step away from her." George warned, raising his blade in a threatening manner and continuing to walk towards them.

The man, who had been crouching over Evie, looked up at George.

"What's going on here is none of your business sir. I suggest you turn around and leave."

George extended his hidden blade and placed it against the man's throat. By simply putting a little pressure on the blade George was able to get the man to move away from Evie. The man was smart enough to realise that a blade in the throat typically led to a bad day. George stepped over Evie meaning that she was now safely behind him. As he stepped over her he heard running footsteps and a gasp of shock. He did not look round but he guessed that Jacob had arrived, which was soon confirmed when he heard Jacob say his twin's name.

"I could do it." George continued, "I could put this blade through your throat."

"You wouldn't dare. You don't have the guts."

"I can assure you that I do." George replied, pressing the blade into the man's throat just enough for a small bead of blood to escape.

"As do I." A new voice said.

The men, apart from the one at the end of George's blade, turned to face the newcomer. Behind the group stood Ethan Frye, wearing a rather frightening expression. He had his own kurki in his hand but he was aiming his pistol at the group. The men in the group looked concerned, they knew that here stood a man who was not to be messed with. A simple movement of the eye told George what to do, he withdrew the blade from the man's throat as Ethan advanced. The gun in Ethan's hand was pointing at the man George had just released.

"You will stay away from my daughter." He growled, "If I ever hear that you've been within fifty feet of her then I will end your life myself."

There was a slight pause as the man seemed to consider whether Ethan was serious or not but soon decided that here stood a man not to be crossed. He motioned to his fellows to leave, glaring at Ethan as they past.

As soon as the men were out of sight Ethan spun round and glared down at his son. Jacob held his father's gaze and prepared himself for the onslaught of words.

"What the hell is going on Jacob?"

"I don't know Father, I have no idea who those people were."

Ethan scoffed, "Don't lie to me boy, I know you have had something to do with it."

Jacob gave his father an incredulous look, was he really trying to pin this on him? How was this his fault? He was angry with these men as much as his father was, and he was going to track them down as soon as he could. He stood up, glaring at his father, he was losing his cool.

"Look I don't know anything about this Father. You can not try and pin this on me like you always do. Perhaps rather then yelling at me you should be spending your time trying to find out why these thugs went after Evie. Maybe start at the fight…"

Jacob trailed off, now he had really put his foot in it. There was no way that his father would have missed that. A tense silence that feel between them as Ethan glared at his son and the latter glared back. Out of the corner of Jacob's eye he saw George kneel beside his sister.

"What fight club Jacob?"

Deciding it was better not to lie to his father at this point Jacob explained. He spoke out the fight club he'd been to and how Evie had been coming along to protect him. He also mentioned Will Curtis but this seemed to make his father even more anger. It was clear from the tone that Ethan was trying not to lose control of his temper.

"Please tell me that this is a lie."

"Wow, the one time you actually want me to lie. Well I'm sorry father but I have met him. I've beaten him in a fight."

Ethan put a hand to his face, "Jacob you have do so many dumb things these last weeks but this is perhaps the worst. I have tried to teach you about the creed and you constantly choose to ignore my lessons."

Jacob frowned, slightly confused, "Father he is just some punk from town."

Ethan looked as though he was about to lose what little control he had left over his temper. He rubbed his hands over his face while Jacob just stared at him. There was obviously something he'd missed and, not for the first time, he wished he knew what was going on.

"They're Templars Jacob." A weak voice said.

Jacob looked down at his sister. She was being propped up by George, she looked pale but alert. There was a graze on her right temple from where she'd hit the floor which was bleeding. There was also a long, deep cut along the palm of her right hand. It looked as though she'd tried to deflect a blow from a knife but it had cut deep into the palm of her hand. Jacob did not know what to say, how could he have been so blind.

"That's why I came out." Evie continued, "I was trying to find you."

Ethan rounded on Jacob, "How could you be so stupid? When are you going to learn?"

Jacob finally lost his temper, "Oh I am sorry. Sorry I am just a bloody disappointment to you. Why don't I just accept everything is my fault. I am sorry that I am such a disappointment to you but it is the way it is."

Ethan opened his mouth to speak but George cut across him.

"Ethan. Here is not the place for this. We need to get them both home."

"I can't go home." Jacob cut in, "I have to find Robert. He was caught by Curtis, I have to find him."

"No, you will come home now and not leave my sight." Ethan growled, grabbing Jacob by the upper arm and pulling him up and off the street.

George looked down at Evie, who was wearing a pained expression. He helped her up on to her feet and supported her up the street. But they only got half way up the street before George swept Evie up into his arms, she was suffering from a mixture of shock and exhaustion which was making walking difficult. As he carried her he noticed her eyelids flicking, she was obviously trying hard to stop herself falling asleep from exhaustion. As they approached the house George could hear that Ethan had resumed his shouting at Jacob. The shouting was deafening, made even worse when they entered the house. It was almost as though Ethan was standing right next to them. He could not help but feel sorry for Jacob. Sighing he knew there was no point in trying to stop Ethan, he wasn't going to stop until he'd said, or rather shouted, everything he needed to. Turning away from the the noise he carried Evie in to her room where he began to tend to her wounds. It was going to be a very long night.

The bedroom was dim and quiet, the morning sun had not yet risen. Jacob was lying on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. He was lost in thought. His ears were still ringing after having to enduring hours of lectures from his father. To say that his father had gone mental was putting it nicely, he had completely lost it. If he really strained to listen he could hear his father and George discussing the night's events. Letting out a sigh, his gaze travelled to look at the other person in the room. Beside him his sister was asleep, or seemed to be asleep he couldn't be sure. For the most part she was fine, no permeant damage. But she has still not said exactly what those men had wanted from her. He had a suspicion but hoped it was false. Jacob rolled over to face his twin, apart from having to endure lectures from his father. He was currently stressing over where Robert could be. He had left Robert to come to his twin's aid which meant he had no idea where he could be now. He knew that there was no point trying to sneak out now to go out to find him, his father was watching the doors like a hawk. Jacob sighed, there was nothing he could do now. If he tried to leave the house then who knew what his father might do. He also couldn't leave Evie, she needed him and he had to ensure she was alright. But what about Robert? He couldn't abandon him but what else could he do. He was suddenly brought out of his thoughts when he felt a hand on his. His sister had put her left hand on his and gave him a small, weak smile. She must have known he was troubled, it must have been clear on his face. Evie was sharp, she did not miss a thing. Jacob returned the smile and held her hand, rubbing her palm gently as they both tried to settle themselves off to sleep.