Ezio was true to his word, teaching me his skills over the progress of the next weeks. It took a lot of my energy, as he continued to take me out for extremely long runs. At first, it was simple, easy as any other average day. Then we began the jumping. Oh, god, the jumping. By the end of each week, I'd just outright refused to go anywhere, to which he laughed, but let me stay in bed, lying in a fetal position. And after, the roofs came the rickety planks and boards. And then (I shuddered whenever I thought about it) came the longer jumps from which I was forced to grab the ledge of the roof and pull myself up. My second pair of gloves wore out fast.
We'd pause briefly, but often to do our jobs. I was leading more raids whenever I felt like my muscles could handle it. Ezio more often than not worked with the thieves, sometimes joining in the stealing, other times running all over the district completing tasks for Antonio and Ugo. And in the rare times where we were alone and awake, he attempted teach me to bring out Eagle Vision.
"Just relax," he whispered, his lilting voice washing over me as we sat cross legged, facing each other on the bed, "Take a deep breath...focus." I did as he asked, my eyes shut. And even if they were open, I couldn't see much, considering we were sitting in complete darkness. He insisted it would make it easier.
"If I take any more deep breaths, I'll pass out," I grumbled. "Why are you so convinced that I have this talent of yours?"
"You said your father did, and as far as I can tell, it's passed down with family members," he explained. "So that means it's there somewhere, you just didn't have anyone to help you bring it out before."
"It's not working," I complained again after a minute. It was a frustrating process.
"That's because you don't believe that it's possible," he argued in return, and I snorted, opening my eyes. The only reason I could see him was because I knew he was there, feeling his presence more than actually using my eyes.
"Is it one of those 'You need to believe in yourself' type of things? Because I definitely think that's bull crap."
"Nice choice of language, and no, it's not. It's not about believing, it's about accepting that it's possible, to banish logic from your mind and focus of your instincts."
"What poster did you copy that of?" I muttered rhetorically, but closed my eyes again. We'd been doing this for a few days, with no result. Ezio was a patient teacher, something I couldn't have guessed from my very first impression of him. I was the only one getting frustrated with the lack of results. My intuition by itself was sharp after years of relying on it heavily, but it never manifested in anything supernatural or just strange. The internal bells of alarm helped me survive so far, but I always thought of it as a given.
"Here, give me your hands," he suddenly said, and I could sense him lifting his hand and stretching it towards me. I took it without hesitation, wondering what he was up to. It was dry and warm, and very familiar. "Just focus solely on me."
"Be a bit more specific. What am I focusing on? Your limb? Your name?"
"Just the concept of me."
"That doesn't exactly help." He didn't reply, and I made an honest effort in concentrating on him. I pictured his face, his clothing... his soft half-smile that he always wore.
In the time that I knew him, he became more familiar to me than even Jake was. With Jake, there was always fear. That his loyalty to the gang will one day overrule our friendship, or worse, that he would go down the way so many others did. With Ezio, I couldn't help but be certain that he would be there, in a very strange, but comfortable way. I got so used to him, his presence, his…loyalty. I couldn't really imagine what my life was like before I knew him anymore. It all became a distant memory, and idea, a story that was not my own.
I opened my eyes. My hands were still in his, and his eyes glowed a yellow color. He was guiding me, as if attempting to conduct my genetics to come out. I felt more aware of him, even if I still couldn't see him properly. I could suddenly feel even tremor of his breathing, his heartbeat filling the air. The sensation was unlike any other I experienced in my life.
And the most creepy part was - I could smell him. He had a somewhat sweet, musky scent to him on the outside. That one was the strongest. And then, the longer I concentrated, the more attuned I became until I could so much as smell his blood, a faint scent that was gone the moment I tried to focus on him, like light French perfume. It felt like a magnetic pull, and I suddenly had the urge to lean in and figure out if I was imagining it or not.
I jerked my hands out of his, shivering. "Okay, I think that's enough," I shakily said.
He blinked, and his eyes went back to normal. "Did you see it?" he asked eagerly, hoping that the hours of practice and frustration finally paid off.
I shifted to lie on my side. "Not exactly. This intuition of yours, does it affect any of the other senses, or just sight?"
"Well-" he seemed to think about it for a moment. "It's hard to explain. I guess it sort of affects all our senses. Sharpens them, let's up pick out a target, discards all other details. Why?"
"I might just be very tired, but can you smell people's blood?" I asked, shuddering slightly on the inside.
"Sure, sometimes," I think he nodded in the darkness. "Aside from the glowing, there's lots of effects, but you get used to it. It proves useful for when your eyes are tied, I suppose."
"So that's why you're not blinded by smoke bombs!" I realized suddenly, and I guessed that he gave me another nod. "And I was wondering how the hell you managed that."
"I'm just full of mysteries."
"Wipe that smirk off unless you want me to do it for you."
"See? You're already making progress."
"No, I just know you well."
He paused, and changed the subject, "How about in the morning, we'll try the Leap of Faith?"
"Hm, jump from a tower early morning? Interesting time for suicide, as usually people do it in the afternoon." I hummed, already falling asleep. He leaned down to me, and stroked my hair gently in a soothing gesture. I found myself instinctually leaning into his touch.
"Don't worry, mia cara. You know I wouldn't let anything happen to you."
I smiled, "That's nice. But Ezio, life lesson number two; never make promises you can't keep."
"What's lesson number one, then?"
"Don't jump off towers unless being splattered all over the street is the desired result." I snorted, and I heard him chuckle as he lay down next to me. Soon, we were both asleep.
---
The morning chill made me shiver uncontrollably. Usually, I was not this sensitive to cold, but standing on a tower does strange things to you. And now, I was wishing that I brought my old leather jacket that was a lot warmer than my thin cloak. Ezio didn't seem to mind it one bit while he let me catch my breath after the long climb up.
"Explain to me again," my teeth chattered slightly, "How you managed to talk me into this."
"It didn't take that long, piccola," he smiled, and I suddenly felt a little bit warmer. "Don't worry, it get easier after the first time."
"I'd like to remind you that you forced me into it twice before," I held up two fingers, and hurried to return them to the warmth of my body.
"But you've yet to do it yourself, so just watch carefully, and you'll be fine," he reassured me.
"You know..." I looked over the edge, feeling slightly dizzy again, "It's strange how little people care around here. Back at home, if someone saw you climbing a tower, they'd call the police."
"Why?"
"I hear it's not pleasant cleaning bodies off the street, so they decided that prevention is the best solution." I heard him snort.
"Well, I'll see you at the ground. Unless, of course, you're afraid..."
"Keep talking and I'll push you off myself. And believe me when I say I won't be aiming for the haystack," I threatened, though at the moment, it seemed like a grand idea. He laughed, and walked to the edge of the tower, where a hundred foot drop awaited him. He paused for a moment, spreading his arms, and seemingly reveled in the wind, something I will never understand at this temperature. And then he just jumped off.
In flight, or fall, whatever, he reminded me of an eagle. How he managed to stay so graceful in mid air, I'd never know. I followed him with my eyes, watching as he landed squarely in the cart of hay, scattering the passing people, all of them doing a double take. And a few moments later, I saw him climb out, alive and everything.
"See you at the ground, he says. Ha! Ground, or lower, does it matter?" I grumbled to myself, but took a big calming breath. As long as I didn't think about the distance I'd be falling, but the flight itself, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. I didn't dare to close my eyes, though I was very tempted, considering the wind was harshly throwing itself into my face. I looked down once again to see Ezio waving from down below, and before I could give myself a chance to reconsider, I jumped.
A few heart stopping moments in mid air, and I began to fall. Without warning, I suddenly felt relief, complete freedom from everything, except gravity. The feeling was indescribable, and absolutely, utterly, amazing. Even the advancing ground did not stir me as it did just moments ago. Or was it minutes? Hours? Time was a lost concept in flight.
The end came too soon, though, the hay greeting me with warmth and prickling in my back. I didn't move for a few moments. I was trying to regain the breath I didn't even realize I've lost.
"Eden?"
He-e-e-ey... I know that voice! I thought absently, as I sat up, and automatically began to get the hay out of my hair and clothes.
"Well, now," I heard my voice say as I slowly regained focus of my surroundings. Ezio laughed, helping me out of the cart. I suddenly smiled. "Ezio, you sure know how to show a girl a good time. Take her to a tower, freeze her to death, and then practically push her off. Very romantic."
He put his arm around me and drew me up flush against him, presumably to warm me up a bit. "Didn't figure you were the romantic type of girl."
"I'm not. Roses, candle light dinners... nah, not my thing. Seriously, I'm going to marry the first guy that would get me sunflowers or daffodils instead of roses, and a simple breakfast in bed."
"Sunflowers?" he raised an eyebrow, and I shrugged. His arm and side were very warm... "What type of flower is that?"
"I guess they don't grow here yet... well, they're very large, and they're a bright, cheerful yellow color. They turn towards the sun as it goes over the sky. My mom used to love them."
"They sound beautiful. And very fitting for you." I smiled. Suddenly, I decided that I just couldn't stay mad at him. Ever. When he gave out those adorable compliments, there was just no way they wouldn't melt even the coldest of hearts. Which my heart was at the moment, thanks to his insanity.
Days flew by. Ezio spent more and more time with Rosa, who was recovering fast, but not fast enough, according to her. Bianca wouldn't let her out of bed for at least two weeks after the injury, and even then, only for short walks. I felt an uncomfortable amount of jealousy clawing on the inside, I admit. He'd sometimes leave in the middle of practice to go hang with her, and it was no secret to anyone what they were doing.
And by "what they were doing," I mean "Teaching him how to jump as high as she could." No, really. It turned out she was an exceptionally good climber, as we'd witnessed on the thieves' attempted assault on the Seta a few weeks back. Seeing an opportunity to improve his skills, Ezio gleefully took it. That a pretty, fiesty girl was involved was a bonus, of course.
But the good thing was, so far, he came back home every night. Almost like a guilty husband afraid of his better half's rolling pin. Of course, I never grated him for it. I was not his mother to give him curfew, no matter how jealous I was. And besides, it wasn't as though I didn't have any distractions of my own...Luca proved to be great company, and an awesome drinking buddy. Even though his flirting was a lot more obvious and heavy than even Ezio's, it was fun, lighthearted, and most importantly, genuine.
Actually, not quite so different from Ezio's, once I really thought about it.
Hmm…
---
It was a week later, and I woke up alone for once, some remaining warmth in the sheets beside me and Ezio's scent still in the air. I sighed sleepily, and strained my ears. There were no movements in the apartment, not even the simple shifting of clothing or breathing. Everything was quiet. I lifted myself up onto my elbow, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, and looked around me. I smiled suddenly, a strange feeling of giddiness coming over me. There was breakfast on the table, and beside it, a note.
I made my body move, and it obeyed, if somewhat reluctantly. I ignored the itching of old wounds and bruises from our training runs over the rooftops as I stretched. I was slowly getting used to waking up in Venice...
I sat down at the table and unfolded the note.
"Lorenzo gave me a contract, it will take a few hours. Please don't leave the house for now, the guards might still be looking for you. - Ezio."
I furrowed my eyebrows, my mood slightly dampened. Geez, I'd been doing this for years, and so far, I only got caught once. I suddenly felt a rebellious urge to storm through the streets and tease a few guards on my way, but I resisted, knowing he was right. The raid two days previous was pretty big, and there were a lot of guards that saw my face.
"Bad news?" I snapped around suddenly, and Adel recoiled slightly, her honey curls spilling from her shoulders. "I just wanted to say hello..."
"Sorry, I didn't hear you come in," I smiled gently. Her face brightened, and she skipped closer to me.
"You looked angry. My daddy becomes angry when he gets bad news," she explained her previous question, and I shook my head.
"No, not bad news. Just irritating . Does your daddy get angry often?" I asked as she helped herself to the chair beside me. Her grin faltered slightly, and I felt my insides freeze.
"Sometimes," she shrugged evasively, and I pursed my lips, but changed the subject.
"Now, how did you get in here?"
"The door, of course," she giggled, and smiled coyly. I shifted my eyebrows together, because I was fairly sure the door was locked, considering Ezio thought doors were beneath him, and always left and entered through the window. "You are never home."
"Yes, well, I'm out saving innocents and defeating bad guys," I laughed, and her eyes widened with surprise.
"Really?"
"Yep! I have battle wounds to prove it, too!" I pointed at the bandages, and she looked at me with sudden admiration. Well, at least she didn't recoil with the disgust of a proper mannered lady. There was hope for the noble child yet.
"Wow," she breathed out, going as far as poking the white bandage, and I winced. "Mommy said you just fell a lot. I didn't believe her, though." she declared proudly, and I chuckled.
"I'm not that clumsy. But don't tell your mom that, okay?"
"Okay! Can you take me with you?" her eyes sparkled, and I laughed at her excitement.
"I would, but I can't really keep saving you from every dog or a kid with a stick."
"Ha!" she stuck her nose in the air, "I don't need protecting! I'll save you!"
"You're a little small," I said gently. "So how about you ask me again when you're older?"
"Will you be here when I'm older?" she suddenly asked seriously, and I furrowed my eyebrows.
"Why do you think I'll leave soon?"
"You haven't even unpacked," she pointed out, and I glanced around. She was right. My bag was still tightly packed, not a stray shirt lying around the room. There was some food in the cupboard, and the bed was still messed up, but other than that, we left no mark.
"You're observant," I sighed. "To be honest, I don't know. Maybe I'll stay here with Ezio for a while longer, or maybe we'll be gone tomorrow morning. I can never tell anymore."
"That must be nice," she let out a wistful breath, "You can go wherever you like any time. My mommy and daddy won't even let me out of the house."
"That's 'cause you're a little girl," I reasoned, "They want to protect you."
"But I don't want protecting!" she exclaimed, getting fired up again, "I want to go save innocents, too! And fight bad guys!"
"You don't want money and a husband?" I asked thoughtfully, and she shook her head feverishly. "Neither do I, to tell you the truth. But believe me, sometimes there is a lot I'd give up to be in your shoes right now."
"Why? What about your mommy and daddy?" she asked, looking at me with childish curiosity. I opened my mouth, and then closed it again, unsure what to say.
"They... they aren't around," I replied vaguely, and shrugged. Her curiosity did not cease.
"But you are married. To Ezio, right?"
"Do you want to hear a secret?" I whispered, eager to get off the subject. Adel perked up her ears, and nodded enthusiastically. "We're not married."
"Are you sure?" she took me off guard, and I raised my eyebrows in surprise.
"What do you mean, am I sure? I'm pretty sure I never married him."
"But he looks at you like daddy used to look at mommy," she seemed confused. I blinked. The only time she saw Ezio and me together was that first meeting in the hallway. I didn't notice him looking at me any differently than before.
"And how is that?"
"I don't know," she rolled her eyes as if to say, "I'm just a kid, remember?"
"You're observant, Adel. But you're wrong about this, Ezio definitely doesn't look at me in any special way," I crossed my arms. Somewhere, in the traitorous part of me, a small spark of hope appeared. But I hurried to extinguish it.
"I wish my dad still looked at mommy the way he did," she suddenly said, looking at the wall behind me, her eyes sad. "Now he just sits at his desk and writes something. And then he gets letters, and he gets angry."
My heart clenched again, as the thought came to mind again. You never knew with this era... Parents often beat their kids, even the richer ones. I shut my eyes tightly, massaging the sides of my head, keeping my temper down with both hands.
"Listen, if you ever need me, I'll be here. Well, mostly. Sometimes you'll have to wait for me to come home from saving the world," I made a feeble attempt at a joke, and it summoned a small hint of a smile on her face as she bobbed her head, the blond hair bouncing around her shoulders.
As she left, I dropped my head onto my folded arms on the table. My fists clenched by themselves. If I ever found out that that he'd laid one hand on the girl, I'd make him pay…
I finished my breakfast in peace, and then lay back across the bed again. There was very little to do if I couldn't go outside. I'm not sure how long I lay there for, just staring at the ceiling, but the strip of sunlight on my floor gradually migrated towards the window, slipping over my outstretched arm. I looked at it absently, wondering when Ezio would get back so I'd at least have something to distract me.
Suddenly, the light disappeared, and in a second, I was on my feet, one of my daggers in my hand, glaring at the window.
"Not the warmest reception," the thief shook his head, jumping down to the floor.
"There is a door, you know," I crossed my arms, and Luca smiled.
"Oh, who uses doors anymore?"
I lifted my hand up. "What are you doing here?" I was no longer surprised by his ability to find me anywhere, at any time. Thieves here were like non-violent gangs. Contacts and friends nearly everywhere. If you asked them to find someone, they would, and faster than the FBI. For the right price, of course.
"Antonio has a message for Ezio."
"Really? And he couldn't wait until we came to him?" I raised an eyebrow, and the thief shrugged, making himself comfortable at the table where Adel and me were chatting earlier. "Well, I'll pass it along as soon as he gets back."
"There's a new job for him, but he wants to discuss it with him personally."
"Right. Is that all, or is there something else?"
"Aside from the pleasure of you company, mia cara? No, that about covers it," he smirked.
I sighed, sitting back down onto the bed, and crossing my legs. "I'll wait for Ezio then, and we'll go see Antonio later today. You can skulk along now, you wouldn't want him to catch you here."
"Skulk along?" he repeated, confused, and I waved my hand dismissively.
"Skulk, run, crawl, fly, I don't care," I rolled my eyes.
"As the lady wishes," he seemed genuinely sad.
"I'm not a lady, but a woman that can kick you out of the window. And considering I'm bored as hell, that's more likely than not."
"But you are right, Ezio isn't very fond of me." He, too, remembered the excessive glaring that followed any time my friend would spot Luca. I figured he was being protective, as he did with Claudia. "Would you like to come with me? I'm sure there's plenty of things to do outside these walls."
I looked out the window longingly, but remembered Ezio's warning, and shook my head. "No, I think I'll wait for Ezio."
"As you wish," he sounded somewhat put off. He headed for the door, but I stopped him.
"Go out the way you came, or it will rise suspicion."
"And a thief climbing out of a window won't?" he asked, bewildered, but obediently began to climb out the window.
I leaned out the window a few moments after he was gone, sighing. If someone looked up right now, it would look a little strange - some guy climbing out of a girl's window. Though I'm sure not as weird as two men passing each other on the wall as an assassin climbed up to the window. I couldn't help but smile.
"Ezio, there's a door," I repeated my earlier greeting, moving aside as he jumped over the small railing.
He leaned heavily beside me. He looked tired, but satisfied. He rested his forehead on his hand. "None of the other girls ever minded me coming through their windows."
"Considering they slept with you, they just have low standards." I looked out into Venice, absently watching a flock of pigeons lift up from one of the cathedrals as if a kid on a sugar high ran right through the plaza.
I drummed my fingers on the rails, still not looking at him. The sun had rolled over the mid sky. Even in winter, it was very warm on my skin, and I had to shut my eyes against it.
From here, we could see the roof of the Plazzo della Seta, the place we'd be assaulting in a few weeks. Figures were walking along the perimeter of houses around it, and a few could be seen on the roof of the palace itself from this angle. Emilio, still troubled by the failed attack, has doubled his security. The chances of Ezio getting in and finding his way inside without dying dropped a whole lot as a result. Even if the thieves could figure out how to get him inside, there was still plenty of guards in the palace. Unless, of course...
"You seem tense. Everything alright?" Damn him. How was it that he could see right through me so easily? I let out a heavy breath.
"Yes. No. Maybe? I don't know. Things are getting sort of confusing."
"Anything I can help with?" I opened my eyes and looked at him, not replying for a moment, my eyes scanning over him. He looked so sincere, that I let out an involuntary smile.
"Don't worry about it. It'll all become clear as soon as I get to a bar."
"Alcohol won't solve your problems, you know."
I snorted, pushing away from the window, and him. "Okay dad, I beg to differ. It lets me come up with such simple solutions I wonder how the hell I didn't see before. And if not, hey, at least I'm drunk."
"I don't think that's healthy," he followed me into the apartment, his voice reproachful.
"Oh, it's not. And the stuff here is a lot stronger than back home, too," I shrugged, strapping my swordbelt around my waist and over my shoulder, and returning my throwing knives back into their sheaths.
"Last time, you ended up nearly getting burned at the stake."
"Months later!" I argued. "Just quit worrying about me. I'm not twelve, I can look after myself."
He grasped my shoulders, spinning me to face him. I was about to twist out of his hands out of reflex, but I stayed still, and looked up to his eyes. He didn't look angry, his hazel eyes concerned.
"Just promise me you won't do anything stupid."
"When do I do anything stupid?"
"Do you want me to list it off, or-"
"No, no," I hurried to say, "I want to keep some of my dignity in tact."
"Ah, yes. Your dignity. He was a nice chap. Where's he at nowadays?"
We stared at each other for a long moment, and I sighed.
"Ezio, don't baby me."
"I'm just trying to protect you." He reached his hand up to brush some strands of hair out of my face gently, and I felt a familiar tingle in my stomach.
"Ironic. It's supposed to be the other way around," I mumbled, looking away from him, and crossing my arms.
"What?"
"I'm not used to people trying to protect me, that's all." His eyes softened even further.
"Well, get used to it. I don't like my friends getting hurt."
"How do you feel about friends that hurt you?" I slipped out of his grasp, "Come on, let's go. I'm sure you're dying to see Rosa." I realized how that sounded, and cut him off before he could open his mouth, "Not jealous! Just irritated! Oh, stop laughing!"
"You've seen her climb. If she can teach me what to do, I have a way inside the palazzo."
"And you're telling me its all strictly business?" I snorted, "Yeah, right." He chose not to reply, only giving be an evasive and cocky grin, as we took off. This time, I insisted on leaving the normal way, via the door. I had enough of climbing out of necessity without using the windows as main points of entry.
Venice did not change very much during the week. A lot of merchants were disgruntled by the loss of merchandise, considering that raids on warehouses happened nearly every night, in different parts of the district. But no one even attempted to complain to Emilio now, the guards covering up as best as they could so they wouldn't get punished for the loss. This state of affairs was temporary, though. The thieves were now completely stocked up, their funds full and nearly overflowing. Now what was left was to find the captured thieves and let them recover from the abuse they no doubt suffered.
Actually, as far as we knew, Emilio had no idea that the assassins were in Venezia now. I'm not sure exactly how that was kept quiet, but our presence here was phantom like, even after my careless actions.
Meanwhile, it was getting colder. Sometimes, very rare snow flakes would fall, not even reaching the rooftops, melting in midair. Sunshine was a bit more restricted by the clouds. A lot of people began to wear thin furs, rubbing their hands together to warm them up. It was still nowhere as cold as it would be in New York, of course, but I guessed the people just weren't used to such weather here.
As we passed the palace, I continued thinking, planning. There was a way to get inside, actually. The guards took you straight in if you so much as annoyed them. But how to get away from them once inside...
---
Ezio bid me goodbye not far from Antonio's office. Or, at least to pretend he did, considering he just left without a word, heading in the direction of a certain female thief lounging outside Bianca's house. I humphed to myself, but left them alone, and went to knock on Antonio's door. It took me nearly an entire week to get over the outer similarities between him and Larry, and finally be able to talk to him without flinching every time he so much as opened his mouth.
"Come on in," I heard his invitation, and I pushed the door open, walking inside. He was standing over the model of the district, talking to Ugo over the table. Both looked up in greeting.
"Hello children," I greeted sarcastically, "What's happening?"
"We've been going over the plans." The older man explained, nodding to the little figurines on the buildings. "As soon as we're ready, we can put the plan in motion."
"And what's the plan?"
"If Ezio can eliminate the archers around the roofs here, my men can pose as them, thus getting rid of the greatest threat. After that, the way into the Palazzo would be clear."
I thought about it, and then, I quickly came to a conclusion. "And I think I have a plan on how to keep him alive once he's inside of the palace."
---
"You're insane." Ezio stated angrily, "There's no way you can actually be thinking this."
"Let me get this straight," I said firmly, "I am doing this whether you like it or not. I won't have you running into the palace without any idea of what's inside."
"You do realize that if you get caught, you will be executed? O did you forget that you're wanted for robbery and murder?"
"My only interest right now is your survival, so how about you just say thanks? And besides, getting caught is exactly my way of getting in."
"Ezio, please listen," Antonio cut in for the first time, "She's right. If she can find a way inside, she can gather information that can help you find Emilio quickly and without drawing attention."
"At what price?!"
"Would you stop treating me like a china doll?!" Now I was getting mad. "I know the risks! I knew them when I helped you kill Uberto, save Lorenzo and eliminate the conspirators! I knew the risks when I followed you into a Templar meeting! And you know perfectly well I can pull this off!"
There was an irritated silence. Then he shook his head, and walked out of the door without another word. Immediately cooling down, I stared after him before and glanced to Antonio helplessly before following Ezio.
I caught up with him quickly, forcing him to turn around. He didn't look at me, his jaw clenched.
"Why? Why are you so eager to put yourself in danger?" he gritted out. That certainly made me hesitate before answering. Frankly, I didn't know why, really.
"Because I promised I'd keep you alive. Ezio, please, let me help. I will be fine, and anything I find out can help you get in and out safely. And because you know you won't be able to talk me out of it."
"You are so stubborn," he whispered, his voice a lot warmer now. He looked more desperate than angry now.
"Trust me, you wouldn't want it any other way," I smiled gently. "So you can either cooperate, or I'll just do it on my own. Antonio is more than happy to do whatever will help our chances." A little too happy, perhaps, that it wasn't one of his men doing it.
He looked me in the eyes for a long time, before he finally sighed, and nodded. "A bene. What's your plan?"
"I will march up to the guards and let them take me inside."
"And how will you get away from them?"
"That took me a while to figure out, but I think I've got it. This dagger," I briefly touched the knife I bought in Florence, the emerald shining slightly in the sun. "Was made to deliver poison, kind of like the one Leonardo made for you. It would be easy getting rid of the guards. Once inside, I can pose as a servant or something, and then make it out before night time."
He seemed to think about it, biting his lip slightly, and then he finally nodded. "Alright. I'll get you some poison. But I swear to god, if you don't come back before midnight, I will-"
"You will do nothing. If I'm not there before midnight, I'm simply running late. Just don't worry, I've made it out of worse pickles before. Hm, speaking of pickles..."
---
With everyone slowly recovering, Antonio and Eden planning, it fell to Ezio to take care of other tasks. Such as freeing the thieves that were captured. Emilio made a critical mistake on showing them off to the town in cages, though, allowing the guards to starve them and beat them. If they were taken into the dungeons of the palazzo, then even God wouldn't be able to get them out.
But they still had to hurry. They couldn't last on the scraps of food that the kinder civilians and other thieves brought to them in secret.
Houses and churches raced by. Ezio almost flew above the rooftops with the speed he was going at. The invisible string he was following got thicker and more pronounced with every step. When he finally felt like he was at the spot, he slowed down to a walk, coming up to the edge of the roof, and looked down. He immediately realized that this area was off limits to public right now - if he came by the streets, the guards would not let him in, as both exits were blocked off. In the middle of the courtyard, a large cage stood. It looked like a giant pigeon coop, except instead of blue and purple birds, there were roughly dressed thieves. Some nursing their limbs, others with blood leaking from numerous wounds. But all of them held a proud silence. That seemed to piss off the two guards in front of them even more.
"What? No screams for us today?" one asked loudly, and mockingly. When there was no response, he stuck his halberd through the bars of the door, shoving one of them. The thief yelped in pain, hurrying to roll away from the weapon as guards roared with laughter. Ezio clenched his teeth, hand instinctively going to one of his throwing knives. "Listen to them squeal, they are so pathetic. Where's Emilio? I can't wait to execute the filth..."
"Emilio will give the order eventually, just have some patience," the other shrugged. "I think he's hoping that fool, Antonio will-"
Ezio pushed off the roof, extending both his blades while in mid air, and before the guards could even look up, he slammed his arms into their necks. He could see their eyes widen underneath the helmets, and they fell down to the ground. The assassin looked around cautiously, but none of the men guarding the streets even glance in his direction. The thieves greeted him with excitement- even if they couldn't recognize him as a friend, they were eager to get out of their cage. He unbolted the door, and jerked it open for them.
They did not need another invitation. As they poured out, some supported by their friends, but nonetheless, agile, they thanked him shortly, and ran for the ladder leading up to the rooftops.
He followed them with his eyes at first, and then climbed up to the top of the building himself. He still had two other cages to visit.
---
I woke up in the middle of the night, and spent a few moments trying to figure out what triggered it. Soon, I realized that it wasn't someone's presence, but the absence of thereof. Ezio is not beside me. I sat up with a start, leaning onto my elbows, and worriedly squinted through the dark.
The window was wide open, the moonlight making a large square on the floor, and the cold air making me shiver. Ezio was leaning onto the frame, looking outside absently, thoughtfully. He was still wearing a simple tunic and loose trousers, so I calmed down slightly. He wasn't going anywhere for now.
"I didn't mean to wake you," he whispered, but he didn't turn towards me. I hummed uncertainly.
"Couldn't sleep?"
"Just thinking."
"About?"
"Everything."
"Ah. That might take a while then," I attempted a feeble joke, which he didn't react to. He continued to stare out of the window thoughtfully.
"You know, Federico always wanted to come to Venice," he finally broke the silence. "And not just Venice. He wanted to go outside of Italy, explore. He didn't want to settle for being a banker. He was too much of a rebel. I think he would have liked this life," I heard pain in his voice as he talked about his slain brother. "You would have liked him, he liked to make fun of me as much as you do," he paused. He didn't need a response right now. I think he just wanted to talk, so I let him continue without saying anything.
"Life hasn't really turned out the way I thought it would. It seemed to have just caught up with me. I don't know, really, it just feels strange. I was supposed to be a banker, like my father. My life was laid out for me, there was no uncertainty in it. And then everything changed so quickly..." he sighed heavily, and I looked down onto the folds of the blanket. I knew what he meant. Changes like these came so fast they always sent you spinning. And it felt like you'd continue spinning, weeks, months, even years after it was over. "Suddenly, everything is different. And I don't even know if I'm going to be alive the next day, let alone if I'll ever have a normal life again."
He was quiet for a long moment. I pulled my self up so that my back was resting against the frame, and hugged my knees to my chest.
"I wasn't ready for any of this." he finally said, turning to me. He looked lost, confused and sad.
"Come here," I patted the bed beside myself. He obediently detached himself from the frame, coming to sit beside me, and then resting his head on my shoulder. "I've been there, Ezio, and I know what you went and still going through. Once my father left, things began spinning out of control. I can't imagine, though, what you must have felt like when it happened all in one night. And for what it's worth, I'm sorry about everything you had to go through."
He breathed evenly, not saying anything for a little longer. Instinctively, I reached a hand up, and gently ran it through his hair in what I hoped was a comforting gesture. After a few minutes, he asked me a strange question. "Can you tell me about your first kill?"
"Why do you want to know?" I asked, surprised.
"Curiosity, I suppose. Before I became a...killer, everyone said how hard it is to take a life. But when I had to, I felt...nothing. It was almost like instinct, with no emotions attached. What…was it like for you?"
I thought back, hesitating slightly, and then told him.
---
"I guess this is it, then," Jake muttered as we stopped in front of the old building. The tall houses and structures of Chinatown were decorated brightly with lanterns and signs, more for the benefit of tourists than actual culture. The streets were crowded, creating a claustrophobic effect of being caged. I could only see the sky if I threw my head back until my neck began to hurt. Even though I was covered in bandages and bruises, and Jake had the hardcore gangster look with his roguish scar across his temple, shaggy, slightly too long hair, and well-worn leather jacket, no one noticed us. Stranger couples walked through the "Big Apple".
I was trembling. I didn't want to go inside the doors. I wanted to just turn around and walk away back into my mother's arms. But at the same time, that only made me more determined. It was about time I stepped out of the nest, anyway, considering our loyal protector has vanished in an unknown direction. It fell to me to make sure that at least my sister would get a brighter future than starving in a gutter.
"Yes," I finally replied. He looked at me with sympathy, and reached towards me, as if to comfort me somehow, but reconsidered. One of the first things I learned, was to never show affection to the other gang members. And I didn't want to with most of them. They all looked down on me. As though I was a weak little girl that didn't have the guts to kill anyone, who survived being jumped in purely on accident.
I took a deep breath, and without looking at him anymore, I pulled the door open. As I climbed the stairs, I must have thought of a thousand different scenarios, going over everything, in an attempt to stop my racing heart, the feeling of wrongness. It would be better to kill the man quickly, without any procrastination. Larry would have his debt back, I'd be a full member, my family would be protected. I didn't know the person. He was an outcast. No one would miss his debt.
But those thoughts didn't make it any easier.
I stopped at the very top step, ignoring the doors on the previous landings, and chewed my lip.
Why did I stop? What kept me from making the last few steps to the door? Indecision? No, everything was already decided. There was no going back. Fear? Of what? I was not afraid of killing my soul if it meant I'd save my mother and sister. My hands wrapped around the gun tightly. It didn't have to be hard, like Jake said. It could be easy. One moment, and it'd be over.
The door opened, suddenly breaking me out of my daze. Tyler Beck, my target, was a fairly young man, maybe in his late twenties or early thirties. His long brown hair hadn't even start graying yet, his skin clear of wrinkles. But his eyes looked tired and wise, like those of an old man. He was smiling at me kindly, and expectantly. I was struck frozen, my mind going completely blank, and I didn't even move to raise the gun in my hand.
"Well? Are you going to come in?" he asked, making space for me to walk through. He saw the weapon in my hand, and yet there was no spark of fear in his face. He talked as if I was an old friend just dropping by. "The tea is cooling."
In shock, I obeyed him, and walked inside the house. It was a small, cluttered apartment, where everything looked old and worn out, as if the owner didn't care much for it. Tyler closed the door behind me, and continued. "I've been expecting you. And one way or another, you're here. Now, have a seat, we should talk."
"What?" I asked hoarsely. My voice still hasn't come back to me fully. It was far from the beautiful tones my mother used to boast about. That was the result of one of the assholes hitting my throat.
"I know why you're here," he said pleasantly, sitting down. I continued standing. "It's alright, I know it's necessary. I just have a few requests to make, that's all."
"Requests?" I couldn't understand what he was getting at. He nodded.
"Please sit, so we can talk like civilized people," After a moment of hesitation, I dropped into the chair he gestured towards. There was a cup of steaming tea in front of me- it was there before I arrived. "My will is on my desk, hand it to your leader and he should be more than satisfied. I'm sure he'll be happy with you," he seemed so serene talking about death, and his voice calmed me down slowly, as well. The trembling ceased. "Also, there's a more personal request. Eve, your sister, how is she doing?"
"F-fine." I mumbled. "How do you know-"
His expression turned a little more sad. "I know a lot of things, my dear. I've done many bad things in my lifetime, and this was coming for me eventually. I'm just glad I could right many of my wrongs before this moment came. And it's time to finish. This pendant," he pushed a thin gold chain with a small leaf pendant towards me, across the table, "It's for your sister. Make sure she gets it."
I took it with shaking fingers, mechanically. I was scared, and I felt like crying. I was nothing more than a teenage girl, caught up in something I did not understand. He nodded with satisfaction, and then sadness.
"Don't worry, my dear. I've seen your path, and this is only the beginning step. Don't cry," he said as a tear broke through, rolling down my cheek. The full realization of what I was about to do hit so suddenly, I could do nothing more than grip the gun tighter and stop thinking. "It's in your blood. I promise, it's not as hard as you think."
"How did you know I was coming?" I asked, almost scared of the answer.
"There's no time to explain. My line is at an end, and yours is beginning. Now, come on. Pull the trigger."
And I did. Just like that. I ended a life, and only the first of many. Yet I felt... nothing. It was a dream. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Jake waited for me outside, leaning onto the wall beside the door, with a cigarette to pass the time. He looked up at the girl that came out of the building, with a sad smile when he realized it was not the same girl that went in, terrified and guilty. Even I didn't know what that girl was at that point.
---
I shook my head as the flood of memories came over my mind. Ezio listened carefully to the story, looking at me in wonder. I was shocked, as well. That specific memory has avoided me for the past five years, as if something added a dream like haze to it. But suddenly, it became clear as if it happened only a few moments ago. We sat in silence for a little.
"The pendant was for Eve? Do you know what it was?" he finally asked with curiosity.
"I didn't really see what was so special in it, really, but Eve was almost hypnotized by it. She never took it off, and even when she was... attacked, she was still holding on to it."
"But what was it?"
"Honestly, I have no idea. I thought nothing of it back then, only that it was strange that a man that I was sent to kill was giving my family presents."
"What happened after you killed him?" he continued asking questions, as if trying to escape his own thoughts into mine. I noticed it was easier to deal with other people's issues rather than your own.
"Larry was pleased when the lawyers passed him the debt that he was owed, and I became a full pledged member of the gang. Now, thinking back, that was when I became an assassin for him. Not like you, who kills only those who kill others, but I was sent after anyone who so much as looked at Larry the wrong way." I leaned my cheek on the top of his head, sighing. "And to think that once upon a time I wanted to be a dancer. Ha ha. You alright?"
"Yes," he whispered, "Thank you."
"I didn't actually do anything," I reminded him, and I felt him chuckle.
"Eden, trust me, you help more than you'll ever know."
"Oh, stop, you'll make me blush." He started laughing quietly, and then we shared another silence. I was perfectly comfortable sitting here, and talking like this until morning, and by the feel of it, he was too.
"Hey, that pendant that your sister got..."
"Yeah?"
"Do you think it was a Piece of Eden?" That took me completely off guard. I shifted my eyebrows together.
"I never thought about it. Then again..." I paused, thinking. "What other mystic, hypnotic, strange artifacts do we know of?"
"Maybe she was the new Keeper or something. I mean, both your names tie in with the story, maybe it's some sort of sign?" this time, I started laughing. The idea was hard to wrap my head around, and it sounded a little too far fetched. Even after some crazy future teller was my very first kill.
"Well, I guess everything happens for a reason, and there are no coincidences. Maybe you're right. There's more than one Piece, and they're supposedly magical, so I guess that anything is possible."
"I have another question."
"You're so full of them today, Ezio," I joked lightly.
"How did you imagine your future?"
I chuckled, "I've been in the future, remember?"
"I mean before everything started. And now. What do you think will happen to you?"
"I..." I shifted my eyebrows together, pondering. "I never thought about it."
"Well, here's your chance. And don't tell me you didn't have fantasies of the future when you were little!" I poked his arm reproachfully.
"I don't know, really... When I was a kid, life just... was. I believed I could grow up away from all the gangs and drugs, and then go to college, make enough money to move my family to a big house on a nice street. And then I guess get married to the perfect guy and have three kids, and live happily ever after. You know, everything a five year old girl dreams of. It's not exactly rocket science to figure out."
"Hm," he replied, not bothering to asking of the "rocket science" I spoke off. I think he was utterly used to hearing my "odd" turns of phrase. "Yes, I think Claudia had similar fantasies when she was little. Still does, most likely. That a prince will sweep her off her feet. I think that's why she turned down nearly every possible suitor, she had extremely high standards."
"And it wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that she knocked a girl out cold when she stole her boyfriend?" I grinned, and he shook with laughter. "That's right, Claudia talked."
"I really don't know, but I hope she'll finally let go of this dream man of hers and find someone actually real. What do you think?"
"Me? I'm not getting married any time soon, so I'm not the best person to ask."
"And why not? I'm sure someone will come along," he shifted his head to me with a grin, and I returned it. "You can still have that future you wanted as a child, you know."
"I don't think that's possible anymore. I can't have kids, and no sane man would settle for me, and the only thing I know aside from killing and stealing are mechanics and design. And we both know that could be dangerous for me to do in this era. So!" I said it as lightly as possible, "I think you're stuck with me, Ezio."
"Well, I'll admit, of all the people to be stuck with, I'm glad it's you."
I closed my eyes, and smiled, feeling a great rush of affection for him. Oh, how things change.
"And tomorrow..." I remembered that I planned to break into the palazzo in the morning. He tensed slightly, and sighed.
"There's still time to reconsider."
"Still singing that tune?"
"I guess not. Let's not think about it just yet, though."
"Fine by me."
---
That morning, the sun rose over Venice, and the sky was clear blue again. Everything was ready for my suicidal plan. Ugo made sure that the outer guards were distracted with the thieves that Ezio freed the week before. Right before we arrived, I pushed my bag to Ezio, asking him to keep it safe for me. He agreed, finally coming to terms with my temporary absence. After all, he knew what I was capable of if I put my mind to it.
"There's medicine and weapons in there. You can use whatever you find, just in case Antonio sends you on some mission." I explained when I handed him my belongings. "Just stay away from any pills and powders in the secret compartments. Those are very, very bad, and very hard to get my hands on, which I admit, is the only reason I haven't throw them into a lake yet."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Oh, and if I don't come back, you get full custody of Leonardo. Just don't forget to feed him three times a day and force him outside sometimes."
"Okay, enough with jokes, or I won't let you go anywhere." Even though his voice was stern, the corners of his lips twitched upwards.
"I'd like to see you try," I smiled confidently, patting his arm with reassurance. "I'll be back by midnight. Don't worry." My only real identification was my tattoo, so I'd previously carefully brushed makeup powder over it, concealing my weapons within easy reach. "If not, then don't do anything stupid," I reminded him, knowing his noble trait that made him want to save everyone.
He sighed, looking to the walls grimly and avoiding my gaze. "Alright, go."
I straightened out, composing myself. But before walking away, I reached up, stood on my tiptoes, and kissed his cheek lightly. He looked at me, bewildered at the display of affection as I smirked cockily and walked around the corner to the palace. There were a lot of things I wanted to say to him at that moment, but there would be time for everything after I got back. And we both knew that I would get back.
Though I was tense as a rope on the inside, I moved with casual ease. The guards watched me approach warily, not making a move towards me, but not letting me through.
"What do you want?" one of them snarled. They seemed on edge - the attempt on the palazzo was still fresh in their minds, as well as the punishment their master likely dealt out.
"Not very friendly, are you?" I smiled in the most cocky way I could manage.
"What, did your little stall get destroyed?" another one spoke up, mocking me, and I shrugged.
"Nope. I'm not a merchant."
"The who the hell are you?!"
"I'm a fortune teller." I bit my lip against laughter, "And I foresee you two brutes letting me in."
"Oh, sure, we'll let you in! Into the dungeons! You have to learn your place, puttana!"
"I won't pretend that didn't hurt. I'd like to see you try taking me anywhere!"
Like taking candy from a baby. I was expecting that. Actually, hoping for it. I ignored their insults as they grasped my elbows and dragged me inside. I pretended to struggle as they laughed, and glanced over my shoulder, hoping to meet eyes with Ezio. But he was nowhere in sight by now.
The inside of the palace was as impressive as the exterior. A massive staircase spiraled around the building, the flower beds decorating it rather nicely. Though I wasn't exactly in the mood for playing a tourist, considering the guards' grips on my arms would leave bruises. They shoved me past a hoard of servants, who barely even spared me a glance. This was apparently a common occurrence these days. One elderly woman looked at me, sighing heavily, but didn't dare to speak up, carrying on with the sweeping.
I continued to try and pull my arms out of their hands, but with only half effort, playing a cocky, but weak woman. Eventually the led me down a flight of stairs, into the basement. I've never really seen a dungeon before, and I was not all that thrilled now, either. It was cold, the torches along the walls proving poor heat sources. It was also damp, and the air stiff and heavy, like Mario's wine cellar. I felt my adrenaline drain slightly as the sunlight disappeared from my view. I hated the caged feeling. There was stirring in the cells behind the doors, some desperate enough to call out for help. But other than that, just movements.
"Now, I'll give you a chance to let me go." I suddenly stopped struggling weakly, and dug my heels into the stonework for real. The guards, who didn't expect that, were jerked back slightly.
They mistook good advice for a laughable threat. "And why would we do-" The man's laughter was cut off as his eyes bugged out, and he gasped. I pulled my arms out of their weakened grips, and before the poison could kill them completely, I pushed them into the one open cell that I suppose was meant for me.
The effects of the poison were ugly, almost heart wrenching. They gasped for breath, they tried to fight off someone invisible, flinging their arms around and getting weaker and weaker, until they were just jerked around and spasmed on the floor. As though they were choking, from the inside out. I spared them the last few moments of their agony, slitting their throats. After that, I took the key off one of them, and locked the door from the outside.
Luckily for me, there were no other guards in the dungeons. No one would find their bodies until they either started to smell, or they checked the cell, which was not likely to happen any time soon. But the more important thing was that I made it inside.
---
Translations
Mia cara – My dear
Piccola – Sweetheart
A bene - Okay