We were whispering quietly, not really wanting or needing to raise our voices.
"Would it work?"
"I don't see why not," I mumbled from where I lay on my side, spooned against him. "The more I think about it - something that's hard to do when you keep doing that, by the way."
"Mi dispiace." I could feel his grin along my shoulder blade. His hands didn't still though, maneuvering their way beneath the hem of my shirt, and continuing to draw lazy, swirling patterns along the bare skin of my stomach. "So what do you think?"
"Millie is an excellent tracker, so I have no doubt they'll be here by evening. And Garrett is decent with a gun. Not to mention, the only thing that's left of the people he pins are puddles and smears…stop laughing! For your information, obesity is nothing funny."
"Sorry," he repeated, though I had a hard time concealing a grin, too. "Continue."
"His Gorillas, Kurt and Burt, are basically like him, too, and they never work alone. The trio is inseparable. And considering Kyle and Jordan can't be with them..."
"Can Millie hold her own?"
"Yeah. But-"
"Hm?"
"I don't know. It's just that…well, it used to be that we were about tied in close-range shooting and dancing our way out of trouble and into the enemies' vital points."
"Yes, I remember that style of fighting. You put me to the ground within moments, and I couldn't figure out how the hell none of my hits landed."
"The same way you beat the snot out of me with various swords and maces?" I chuckled. "Besides, you've gotten better since then. Naturally, as it seems to be in your blood."
"And it's not in yours? I'm not sure if you noticed, but your knife-throwing has never been better, and you've become much stronger and definitely a lot faster. Not to mention, you use those blades as if they are part of your hands. And you have a hidden blade now, too..."
"Plus a few smoke bombs, needles, better gymnastics and acrobatics, and Eagle Vision, courtesy of your patience in training me." I thought about it for a second, and then grinned, "I kick ass."
He shook with silent laughter. "I'm afraid to help grow your ego further, but yes, you do. You were certainly not wasting those last three years. They've had the total of three weeks, so I doubt that they are any different than since you last knew them."
"Larry is smart though," I frowned, "And he doesn't care about losing a tool or two, or four to get to his goal-"
"Eve."
"Hmm. If he grew up in this compound and managed to get out of it without being seen, he might remember how to get back inside. So I'm just worried that he will turn this trap against us."
"Would he trust Millie and Garrett to take care of us?"
"I'm not sure. It's like him to do something we don't even expect. But then again, I think I've known him for long enough to know his train of thought."
"Would the bastardo try to get you to come back?"
"Only if he kills Eve, you, and perhaps Jake. He knows I would never come back if I still had something to fight him for. But he's arrogant enough to think I'd drop everything and join a man who killed my family," I snorted. Burying further into Ezio's embrace, a shiver of pleasure ran down my spine. His arms tightened, and he settled his chin into the crook of my neck. His stubble scratched, but I didn't really care. "But it's never going to happen."
"Yes, I doubt he can ever kill me," he carelessly shrugged, the brazen confidence obvious in his voice. Though I didn't blame him. Especially as he continued, "And your sister has the Piece of Eden to protect her."
I nodded along. "And Jake would never go down without a fight, especially when he is so close to freedom." We stayed silent for a bit, and I was beginning to doze off when a sudden thought hit my head. "You know, I'm glad that you're here, by the way," I whispered, "If it was anyone else, I'd be worried sick, and likely near throwing up in a corner somewhere."
"If it was anyone else, you wouldn't get so close to them in the first place," he smirked, seemingly pleased with himself. "I know you; you always go against the whole 'keep your friends close and your enemies closer' principle."
"Oh yes, I'd rather have my friends at least in eyesight where I can defend them, and my enemies as far away from them as possible. But it's so much easier to defend others when there's only a handful of them... and when most can take care of themselves."
I moved quickly to hover over Ezio, flattening the pillow on either side of his head. He barely twitched an eyebrow, looking at me with slight curiosity…and a whole lot of eagerness. "And there I thought we'd get some sleep. But if this is what you prefer, cara, then- hey, stop biting! I'm just assuming from your sudden energy that - not the ear!"
"I will continue if you don't get your mind out of the gutter."
"My poor ears. I guess I never liked them that much anyway."
I snorted, settling down on his chest. Sad that we had to spend the night fully dressed and at the ready. And the fact that Jake could be heard snoring in the next room. It really put a damper on our night, to say the least...
"Remind me why I agreed to marry you again?"
"Because I'm handsome, charming, rich, and talented," he counted off on his fingers with a flourish. "Did I mention handsome? And rich? And let us not forget, oh so very good in-"
"Alright, alright!" I laughed quietly, nipping on his collarbone to stop that particular flow of thoughts, "You have me convinced."
"Not going to run out on me, are you?" He was still joking, but I could hear a note of worry.
"Run out on you? Wouldn't dream of it! But you know, you somehow seem less the type to actually get married, and more of the type a married woman would cheat on her husband with."
"So what do you suggest? Get you married to some poor rich bastard with steel nerves?"
"Aren't you a rich bastard with steel nerves?" I looked at him with surprise, "I mean, if you think about it, it's pretty true. We have more money and contacts than some noble families do, a beautiful villa in a countryside town, which you and Claudia managed to rebuild to its former glory. Then there's the fact that your nerves must be even stronger than steel, considering that you've somehow accomplished the unbeatable feat of living with me for this long."
"Oh, yes, those were very trying three years...ow, the ear, bella!"
"Idiot," I affectionately nuzzled his neck, "It's morning already, and we got only about three hours of sleep tonight."
"So? Another half an hour won't change anything, right?" His hand ran up my thigh under the covers.
"Sorry, Ezio. I'd really rather not have my best friend in the other room."
"Oh, so having the entire Palazzo della Seta outside our room is fine, then?" he nearly pouted. Admittedly, he was hard to resist…but we had far more important concerns at the present.
"That's different. They know what we're doing, so we may as well give them proper material for gossip. Jake thinks of me as a little sister, and how would you react if you heard Claudia-"
"Okay, okay, don't finish that thought," he shuddered, "I get it." After a moment, he gently touched my hair, thoughtfully weaving it through his fingers. I almost purred, feeling like a well-treated cat at that moment. "So you're not having second thoughts?"
"Per favore, Ezio. Now, I'm not going to let you go anywhere. I mean, who else can kick ass, make good conversation, and generally make me feel like I'm the most loved woman on earth?"
"I do what I can, amore." I think he was flattered. "Oh, and Eden?"
"Yeah?"
"You smell like cherries again."
"Excuse me?" I wanted to lift myself up to look into his face from above again. But that would mean taking my hair from his fingers, and I didn't want that.
"When we met," he hurried to explain, "You smelt like apples and cherries, aside from all the other scents."
"You noticed?"
"Kind of hard not to. But then the cherries sort of aired out, but I smell it again."
I suddenly began to laugh as I realized what he was talking about. "That's my shampoo."
"What's that?"
"Liquid soap, made especially for hair," I smiled. "Doesn't make your hair as rough, and makes it shine…so what's your excuse?"
"Che cosa?"
"Your hair," I laughed, "It's always so damn shiny, I'm just saying-"
"Are you saying I have the hair of a woman?" he asked incredulously, though he didn't bother to hide the laughter dancing around the edges of his voice.
"Hey, all I'm saying is that when we first met, it was technically longer than mine-"
"You're a harridan!" he said with accusation, though his fingers still continued their work through my own hair, which was definitely not short now- it reached down past my shoulder blades. "Jesu Cristo, I'm marrying a shrew!"
"Watch it, buddy!" I lightly smacked him along the shoulder.
And then, he burst out laughing again. "Fine, fine, I admit it; I like that you've let your hair grow out."
Since I'd been in his time, I'd allowed it to grow beyond the shaggy bob I wore in New York, though I kept it braided back for the most part. "Anyway, the shampoo is scented. So I guess right before I met you, the smell of cherries was around, and I ate apples regularly. I took a shower while you were asleep in my apartment, so it came back."
"Ah. Can't say I mind."
"We got really side-tracked, didn't we?" I muttered, moving away from the comfortable subject with reluctance. "We were finishing up the plan for tonight."
"Yes, though somehow weddings and soap seem a more cheerful subject. But, as you wish."
After a pause, I asked, "Do you think it's going to work?"
"When have your plans ever failed?"
"Good point. Let's just hope Larry doesn't realize that that."
Jake was in a fairly good mood, considering everything. Cleanly shaven, well fed and rested, he decided it was a good omen. Though there was a little itch somewhere in his liver that worried his intuition. But he waved it off, thinking it was just the fact that he hadn't had anything stronger than coffee to drink, for almost a week.
Eve had a surprisingly large house, though she claimed that usually she shared with two other women. However, one was away on a mission, and the other was... well, dead. She also happened to be an excellent cook, so when Jake got back outside, he felt like he could take on the entire world.
The Fortress was fascinating to watch from his favored tree, since he had never seen anything quite like this. The families looked...normal, for the most part. Though he could see one of the women taking out a rather large dagger to wave after her husband. The unfortunate man had slipped out from the house before she could ask him to do a chore. As a result, his wife waved it around with strength that Jake rarely ever saw in women. Not far away from them, a group of children were practicing knife-throwing. They looked only about eight to ten years old, yet the target was swaying slightly as they almost completely flawlessly hit it. Another kid was loudly bragging to his friend how he got his first mission. The open barn that Jake could see inside of, he realized that a woman was standing and yelling something to the ceiling, where at least three young students were balancing on the beams.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Eden slipped down onto the grass beside him, drawing her knees to herself. He glanced at her sideways, and nodded.
"Yes. It's strange how they all seem so happy with their lives here, even though they are being raised to kill," he mused thoughtfully.
"It's all they know. Besides, their parents are with them, encouraging it," she smirked, "Can you imagine growing up in a place like this?"
For a moment, he thought about it, and shook his head. She continued to smile lightly, leaning her head back onto the tree.
"You could have told me you were going to marry him, by the way."
"How did you find that out?" she asked with surprise.
"Eve."
"Figures. Well, it all just sort of...happened. I was a little shocked too. Actually, I sort of had to go to Milano the next morning, so I had almost three weeks to think about it."
"And you said yes?"
She grinned again, and that smile told him that she did not regret her decision. "It's a long, boring story, not even worthy of one of those romance books you keep under your pillow."
"Har har. Sometimes I get the feeling you spy on me," he muttered sourly. "It's just- be careful."
"Oh, Jake, no! Not the big brother talk!" she whined, and he just had to laugh. However, he frowned again.
"I'm serious. When-" the thought made his throat dry and his chest tighten uncomfortably, "When Dani and I were going to elope, that was all I could think of. I think Larry noticed I was distracted - I almost got myself killed. And when she died…well, I'm not going to lie; it hurt like a bitch."
"You don't have to tell me," she pursed her lips.
"I think it wouldn't have hurt anywhere as much if I didn't tie myself to her in the first place. And she would have still be out there, alive and breathing if I didn't draw Larry's attention to her." His fists clenched, his breathing becoming shallow and harsh before he swiftly collected himself.
"I think I know where you're going with this," understanding dawned on her face. "But to tell the truth, I'm not worried about that."
"Are you so sure he won't go the same way as Alex?"
She suddenly threw her head back, a playful smile appearing on her lips. "Ezio, I think Jake is doubting your abilities. Or maybe he thinks that I've gotten rusty after three years?"
"Not very smart of him..." The assassin dropped down as lightly as a cat would, the tree branches above Eden and Jake barely even swaying in response. Neither of them was particularly startled, the Assassin's ability to silently pop up in the most random of places was pretty common now. "Shall we?" he grinned back at her, giving her his hand, and pulling her up.
"What are you doing?" Jake asked grimly, not liking their expressions one bit.
"A little bit of practice. For morale," Eden winked at him. "Feel free to join us later on."
"Excuse me?"
"And get your mind out of the sewers."
Jake didn't understand what the hell she meant. At least, not until they entered the practice rink that was very close to the tree he sat beneath. Their intention finally dawned to him, and he settled in more comfortably, facing in their direction, suddenly curious. Eden was, after all, his student. He wanted to see how much she progressed.
The two stood opposite each other, their stances completely relaxed, still staring at each other with warm smiles. The change was sudden and subtle- both their movements suddenly became even more controlled and graceful. They stood for only a second more, and then began to move at almost the exact same time.
Jake gave a bit of a start as he watched the blade Ezio aimed so carelessly at her throat being easily deflected by a knife that appeared in Eden's hand out of nowhere. And then...
After a few stunned moments, he realized that it wasn't even a fight where they used real weapons instead of practice ones. No, calling it a fight would be almost blasphemy. It was a dance. A flawless work of art, hypnotizing in its sorcery, the rhythm and music heard only by them. Even though Jake could see that they were fighting for real. If even one of those strikes ever landed, Ezio's throat would be cleanly cut through by Eden's flashing blade, and Eden would be dead at the force he was going at her.
Yet none of those hits ever landed. Squinting and attempting to separate the two flashing shadows, he could see some of Eden's teachings in Ezio. Like the way he'd completely move out of harm's way with minimal movement. And she'd improved so much, he almost couldn't believe that it was really Eden, the girl that he taught almost everything he knew. It just all seemed so minimal now.
"Are their eyes... glowing?" Jake at first thought it was a trick of light. But when they stopped for a quick breath, he realized that their eyes were indeed glowing an unnatural yellow color. Eden's a bit more faded than Ezio's, but still very visible, even in the broad daylight.
They were truly a weird pair...
There was no doubt though. Jake could never stand against either of them. It was then he realized it with a sudden clarity; if they could go full force on each other this way, he was almost afraid to think of what happened to those who were even a tiny bit slower. And when they were together...
He grinned suddenly - Larry didn't stand a chance. He would have no idea what hit him.
Eve was standing not far away, watching as the pair drew a crowd of whistling men and curious children. For some reason, she was frowning, her eyes looking somewhere beyond the compound, as if arguing something with her little artifact. For some reason, Jake did not like the way she twisted her lips strangely, and turned away. Focusing his attention back to Eden and Ezio, he simply wondered what her problem was.
If there was one thing Larry hated, it was, well, being betrayed. But another thing was traps. Especially such obvious ones that reminded him more of a desperate move of amateurs, rather than his students that used to be his pride.
"Are they laughing at us?" Millie asked rhetorically, hurling broken twig in her hand to the forest floor. A trail of those twigs, strings, hairs and disturbed leaves was behind and in front of them. It was so painfully obvious that even Garrett could have easily followed it on his own.
"Quite possible," he replied curtly, continuing to carefully step over the roots and bushes, one hand on his gun, the other on his switch-blade.
My Eden would never make mistakes like these. I could expect it from Jake, but if she is with him...does she think she can outsmart us? The group stopped and Larry's frown became even more pronounced. Or do you actually have something planned?
On the tree in front of them, there were three arrows carved out, each leading in a different direction.
"That bitch." A note of fascination passed in Millie's harsh voice. "What do we do, boss?"
"What they want us to do. Split up."
"Is that a smart move?"
"Are you questioning me?"
Garrett's spine snapped up unnaturally straight under the freezing glare. He stiffly shook his head.
"Good. Garrett, boys, take left. Millie, Right. I sincerely hope you can deal with the targets." After a moment, he nodded along to his thoughts. "Kill on sight. They won't go down easily."
I don't know what game you're playing, little girl, he thought angrily, But no matter what you think, you are still mine. Three weeks have not changed anything...I know your every move.
It was the first time I noticed that the trees were rather lovely this time of year. With all planning Ezio and I had furiously undertaken, I never had the chance to stop and admire the beauty of mid-fall. As if a child with bright paints was let loose in the forest, the leaves ranged from a persistent shade of dark green to vivid yellows and reds. Most had already begun to crunch, breaking away from the safety of their branches, and falling down to land softly on to the moss-covered ground.
I caught one, twirling it in my hands. Birch. Strange, considering I was sitting in a maple tree. Then again, the gusting wind liked to play with the loose leaves bits of branches as much as school boys liked to throw their toys around. I let it finish its fall unharmed, watching.
Listening.
Feeling.
Now that I was calm again, with nothing but cold determination left, I could focus my Eagle Vision properly again. I made sure of it in the practice match with Ezio. I didn't bother to let the forest sink into further darkness, as it was dark enough with the sunset two hours behind. I limited myself with the other senses. The smell of wet moss. The creaking of leaves as a mouse ran past, seeking refuge. A small, triumphant hoot of an owl as it noticed the said mouse. Its final squeaks as it became dinner….
I'd never been in a forest. Well, actually I had in passing, in Italy, but we always seemed to be rushing somewhere. So I never really had the chance to stop and look around, or listen to the noises that the unaware animals made as they hunted one another. I never really had much of a draw to the wild-life, anyway. Frankly, I had enough predator-prey games in my profession. But right now, it was... nice. Almost breathtaking. There they were, those owls and mice, with only one reason in mind - to hunt and run away. It was nothing personal to them, just survival and instinct. I doubt they had grudges for one another, or harbored complicated feelings such as betrayal, history, morals.
Intruder.
I felt her careful steps in the ground, lightly echoing so silently that if it was anyone else in my place, they wouldn't even feel the tiny vibrations that Eagle Vision amplified.
My mouth twisted into a malicious smirk as my nose caught the smell of the cheap perfume Millie bothered with for no reason. Combined with the leftover cigarette smoke that hung on her clothes and the gunpowder in her weapon, she was unmistakable. I blinked, and her red aura shined cuttingly into my eyes through the leaves below.
Millicent, or Millie, was a Chinese-American woman of about twenty, with short black hair and a malicious squint to her dark eyes. She was also a self-proclaimed rival to me, though I never cared enough to really try. The only other girl that survived the first few years, she was prized by Larry as one of the best trackers in the entire gang.
The only sad part was, while I at least attempted to hold onto on to some morals and humanity through those years, she let go of it all, almost eagerly.
There were days when she'd ask me (more like order) to fight her, as if trying to prove once and for all that she was the better woman. I said yes only once, after a particularly harsh mission that left me very frustrated, even at its successful completion. After ten minutes of struggle, during which she proved to be challenging, I laid her flat on her back. I don't think she ever really let that go...
If I was superior then, I had no doubts about now. It was almost unfair - I had three more years over her. The gap between our abilities grew longer, and she didn't even know about it.
I almost casually stepped lower, and flicked my wrist in a familiar gesture.
Her reflexes kicked in immediately at the whistling sound, and she jerked away at the last second as my knife pierced the air only an inch away from her nose. It took her only another moment to figure out what was happening, and then she tilted her head back and pointed the gun into mess of leaves and sky in my general direction. In the bright outlines, I saw the muscle of her cheek jerk, her eyes narrowing dangerously.
I expected nothing less. Inferior or not, she still had years of training. I dropped down onto the branch above her head, nearly ripping away the material of my glove against the harsh bark as I kicked the weapon out of her hands. It cluttered uselessly to the ground, lost somewhere in the shrubbery. My boot would have connected with her face, next, but she managed to jerk away yet again.
I let the branch go and fell to the ground, sending the leaves spiraling around me.
"Hi, Millie, haven't seen you in a while." Had I not been glaring, my smile could have actually passed for a friendly one. She replied to me in kind, and flicked her switchblade open.
"You do know we've seen through your little trap from the beginning?" she called mockingly, not bothering to take cover as I showed plainly I wouldn't take my own gun out, limiting myself with my favorite dagger.
My smirk didn't falter. "Yet you followed it exactly as you were supposed to. So let me ask-"
She likely didn't even see my hand as another throwing knife grazed her neck, and embedded into the tree behind her. To her credit, she didn't flinch or gasp at the pain, just slapped her hand over it as if trying to kill an insect. Rather, the rage in her eyes intensified further.
"Are you perhaps that arrogant? Or just plain suicidal?" she growled, and began her charge.
"Probably both, then," I noted grimly, easily side stepping and moving out of her reach. Her knife slashed through the empty air that used to be my throat.
I sighed. Years ago, her speed matched my own. And now...it was not even a challenge.
"So where's Jake?" she snarled, "I thought you'd be hiding behind his back, like always?"
"Pathetic taunts, sloppy skills...you haven't changed one bit."
This time she took a smarter approach. Taking a calming breath, she allowed me the first move. I decided that it was enough stalling; at this pace, we would be here all night, exchanging remarks and threats. And I really wanted to meet up with the boys again to see how things were going on their end. We'd purposely killed our communication as soon as our trackers were in the area, just so they wouldn't be able intercept it through the little headphone that was in Millie's ear.
I used the darkness to my advantage as I approached. She thought I was a lot closer than I actually was, giving me the moment to grasp her wrist, directing it in a harmless direction, and slam my own into her heart.
And just... like... that.
I felt an unexpected rush of guilt as I felt warm blood trickle over my exposed finger tips.
That was too easy. I didn't think it would be...that simple to kill someone who trained under Larry himself.
Her free hand made an attempt to get to my throat, but she didn't even brush my skin. I let her fall, then, withdrawing my dagger from her ribcage. The forest ground, still soft with mud, greeted her almost eagerly.
She was a tracker and a decent enough shooter. But not a fighter. She carried a knife only for those melee situations she couldn't escape. Larry knew this, yet he still sent her alone. After me, who, forgive me this immodesty, was one of his best killers. Not to mention, I now specialized in blades almost completely, my gun all but forgotten in my bag. None of them knew that, but I wasn't exactly the worst fighter before I left, either.
I crouched down as the blood stopped flowing, and closed her eyes, muttering the now familiar prayer. The right thing would have been to bring her body back to the compound instead of having others stumble around for it later, but I simply did not have the time. I knew the others engaged Garrett and his men, so it was imperative that I meet up with them.
I began to move, pushing those thoughts away from my mind. Unfair or not, I knew that if I paused, she would not have hesitated in the slightest. Likely even draw out my death, just to see me suffer to the bitter end.
It was harder to orientate in the forest, as all the trees looked exactly the same to me. I had to rely completely on Eagle Vision to lead me to someone I'd find, even if he was buried six feet deep in Tundra. I didn't get far, however, when the borrowed communication device gave a tiny beep, calling to my attention.
"Hey."
"We're done here. How are things on your end?" Jake's voice informed me.
"Done and done."
"Same. You know, I never realized we were the best members of the gang."
"You didn't?" I snorted, and I heard him laugh. He was likely in high spirits. If only because if there was no ban on serious fighting in between members, he would have killed Garrett long ago. Now that he did, he must have felt somewhat like what I would likely feel as soon as I got my hands on Larry.
"Yes, and you picked quite a boyfriend, I have to say. I was barely finished with the main jackass, when he already downed the other two and was waiting quietly for me to wipe that idiotic grin off Garrett's face. I'll admit, the kid has some talent...stop smirking, or I'll take my words back!"
I smiled at the comment that was likely directed to Ezio himself. His ego must have swelled nicely at that, no doubt. "Well, I'm a halfway decent teacher. Did you expect anything less?"
"You are very full of yourself, hon. Glad to see that hasn't changed. Come on, we have to regroup at the compound and search for Larry."
"Are you sure he's even around?"
I knew the answer before Jake replied, though. I felt Larry like lambs felt the approach of the butcher's axe. Of how one would feel at the deadly, eternal silence of an open grave. Chilling. That feeling of inevitability that made you sick to the stomach. I felt torn between my fury and the fear that was embedded into my mind, from the years of abuse.
Thankfully, anger won.
Eve sat cross-legged on the grass beside the gates, waiting. It was strange - she knew from the Talisman that no serious harm would come to her protectors. Yet she couldn't help but worry. Eve did not like the fact that the collective forced her to stay behind the walls in safety, risking their own well-being for her. But she agreed that it was best for her to keep out of their way. Still, she felt... off.
First, there was the confusion and the grating process of trying to figure out why Eden so readily jumped to her defense. Considering she was not the best sister herself, she didn't expect it. Then again, she did tell Eden who was responsible for their tragedies, starting with their mother's death and ending with this attempt on both their lives. It didn't help clarify anything, though.
Secondly, she felt guilty. The same sister and two strangers were out the defending her, even after she acted so cold and cruel to them, when they didn't deserve it. Eden had changed. She may have been a silly girl trying to play grownup when they were young. But in the end, it was hardly her fault, and she wasn't a child anymore. Sure, Jake was a killer for the wrong cause, much like her. But again, what choice did he have? And then there was Ezio, Eve's future brother-in-law. He'd only heard of her through Eden, and her image of her sister was likely not the best. Yet, instead of using her as a convenient distraction, they went out there just so the people after Eve couldn't get her. Was it because of the artifact? She decided it went deeper than that.
And third, there was a feeling that something was about to go horribly wrong. The mixed feeling where the whole reason she was sitting there, waiting for news.
And then it came.
But in a totally wrong way.
~Danger!~ The urgent bell from the artifact snapped her to attention. Eve moved up the wall at the same time as she felt around for the knife in her pocket. She glanced to the watchtower not too far away from her, but the guards on duty seemed to sense nothing wrong.
~Walk towards center. Slowly. Don't panic~ The instructions were quick, snappy, and almost...desperate. She realized what that meant - she didn't have many options of escape, whoever it was already caught sight of her. Nonetheless, she walked so that she was in clearer sight of the guards, gates. The usual unofficial celebration of yet another day survived had ended a few hours earlier, so now the entire place was silent, except for a few stray rebellious children. The sense of danger only grew, and she had to really work as to not panic.
It was familiar. Too familiar. It reminded her of six years previous, when she was still unused to the whispering in her mind.
"Hello little girl."
The man back then said the same thing.
She tightly shut her eyes, trying to breathe, and turned around very slowly. Her jaw jumped, the oxygen refusing to enter her throat for some reason. And she soon realized that she was absolutely terrified.
"Or, I suppose not so little?"
Eve finally understood exactly what caused both Eden's and Jake's eyes to flash with almost uncontrollable fear when Larry was so much as mentioned in the passing. She remembered those eyes - those cold bottomless pits that promised only the fires of hell at the very end. She sensed now the fear that his presence radiated, like it had all those years ago. And she couldn't understand how her sister could have spent so long wrapped up in that presence.
Within a minute, Eve was starting to go from horrified to righteously pissed off, just from the painful memory alone.
~Back away! Don't let him notice! No one sees you, he doesn't need you alive, he will kill you!~ The artifact was going insane, too, the mumbling inside her head getting louder and more urging, not helping her concentrate one bit.
"Ah, it's so good to be back home!" The man had something that resembled a smile on his lips, the barrel of the gun still aimed directly to her heart. He stood only about ten steps away, but it was close enough. "Sad that they've taken to housing traitors. But you're going to help me fix that."
"If you think that Eden will try and save me again, you're wrong." Eve wasn't even sure how she managed to speak, but felt very proud that her voice didn't crack or go quiet. "I made sure of that."
"Ah, but that's where you're wrong! Eden seems to have undergone quite a few changes in character. Likely because of that pup that's tagged after her! A sad fact that will be fixed with your death. And then there's the little payment that's offered for that necklace of yours. And of course, Jake will come looking when Eden doesn't return, one way or another...sort of like three birds with one stone, no?"
He was insane. Absolutely off his rocker to such a degree, that she was not sure whether or not to be scared of him, due to his madness or his willing to kill without so much as a second thought or regret. The man was fueled by only efficiency, all semblance of humanity gone long ago. If it had even been there in the first place.
Larry was sure that Eden would seek revenge. Or join him again. Two options that Eve suddenly wasn't so certain of anymore.
Eve was anything but selfish. There were some very strong reasons for her to stay alive, including the fact that the artifact could be passed onto anyone at her death. Including the wrong hands that Assassins struggled to keep it out of. Not to mention the fact that Ezio spoke the truth - Eden was pushed far enough as it was...
"I'll go," she whispered.
"Actually, I think it's easier to just kill you."
The gloating, maniac smile led into a suppressed gunshot.
She couldn't help it then.
She screamed at the same time as her eyes shut.
The next thing she knew, she crashed into the ground, hard. A gasp. Blood still pounding in her ears. A cry of disbelief. And then triumph, followed by a quiet, cat-like run.
Eve opened her eyes, surprised that she still could. Only to realize that the collision was not caused by a bullet, but rather, her own sister.
"Are you alright?" Eden was almost unnaturally loud as she got up in a swift movement, pulling Eve along with her. The younger sister did a double take, and then felt her chest, making sure, but finding no hole. Eden let out a breath of relief, but it was cut off by another thud against the ground.
"Merda! Eden, hurry up, he took the bullet," Ezio called. Though his voice was calm, it wasn't hard to miss the frantic tone clawing beneath it. The two turned to see him kneeling over Jake, who was lying at a strange angle of the ground, his hand gripping his lower ribcage. It was the same spot where Eve stood just moments ago.
"Oh, fuck-" Eden hurriedly dropped to her knees beside him, holding his chin in her hands.
"Always wondered what being shot felt…like." He was still wide awake, an almost mocking smirk on his lips, which were twisted in pain. The blood was hardly noticeable on his black shirt in the middle of the night, but Eve saw it burst out from under his fingers. "Not quite as nice as I imagined it..."
"Very funny!" Eden snarled, her own hand grasping over his, blocking the spilling blood. "You should do stand up comedy, you absolute retard! Don't you dare close your eyes, or I will personally go to hell and bring you back, just so I can kill you myself!"
She was babbling.
Eve finally connected the dots. She was standing over there. The three must have made it in time, though they did three different things. Eden tackled Eve out of the way, Ezio must have made an attempt at Larry, and Jake…took the bullet for her?
"Guess the princess just lost her key argument." Strange, how before death people could say the weirdest things. "It's alright, I regret…nothing."
"Yeah, yeah. You should also say how this isn't the end. Or send a plague upon our houses." Eden scrambled for something in her belt pouches, but her hands were sticky with his blood. Besides, what could she do? The noise already attracted attention, but would the residents and guards make it in time to do anything...?
"Nah, it's all been done before." Blood bubbled and spilled through the corners of his mouth.
"And what you're offering is so much more original? You're strangely talkative for someone about to kick it - I said don't close your eyes, dammit!" she smacked him on the cheek. He reeled, eyes snapping open, almost as though nothing was wrong.
"Trust me, amico," Ezio lightly snorted, though he was blinking rapidly, his gaze wide and heavy with concern as he frantically tore away Jake's shirt in an attempt to inspect the wound, "When Eden tells you do something, you'd better damn well do it."
"Like I wouldn't know that…pretty boy," Jake stammered with a fleeting smirk. "Just always wanted to say that," he whispered to Eden, "Even if it's not- true..."
"What, and now you're calling me ugly? Cazzo! I am offended!" Ezio snorted with a mirthless chuckle, pressing his hand into the wound in a vain attempt to stop the blood. "It's a wonder you can shoot straight, considering that obviously, you're the blind one-"
"If you two are done being dramatic, move over!" Eve finally cut in with determination. The spell of confusion finally lifted, she all but ripped the chain off her neck. Next she pushed all the hands away from the wound. Blood happily sprayed with each beat, and Jake let out a strange groan, similar to that of a wounded wolf. "I won't lie, this is going to hurt!"
"I wonder - what that feels like-"
She held the hole between two fingers, her open palm hovering over it with the Talisman pressed into her skin by her thumb. Closing her eyes, she concentrated. After a moment, his back arched, his eyes rolling back into his head and his hands clenching so hard, his knuckles went white. Blood sprayed even higher, staining her hand.
Nothing happened for another few seconds, except that he was slowly passing out from the pain. And then the bullet whistled, and flew out of the wound and right into her open palm. She threw it away immediately.
"And what are you two waiting for?" she growled at both Eden and Ezio, who where watching the process with utter shock. Ezio crossed himself, muttering a prayer in his own language, Eden's eyes going wide, her mouth hanging open. "Go after the whole reason for this madness!"
"What about-"
"This…selfless hero," she hissed the words like an insult, furiously gesturing at Jake. She was not happy with this turn of events… "Will be alright. The Talisman can bring you back from the brink of death, so as long as you haven't crossed over yet. He'll be sore for a few weeks, but that's only natural. Now go! Don't let him escape, or it will make things even more god-damned ridiculous than they already are!"
Neither or them looked convinced, but they nodded in unison. Turning in the direction that Larry must have fled, they set off, dissolving in the darkness almost as quickly as they gained speed. Eve turned her attention back to Jake. The blood has stopped seeping and the tissues already began to work on kitting themselves together. Very slowly, likely very painfully, but it was happening. The guards had already made it to her, and were now watching with fascination from a few steps back.
She finished a minute later, and rocked back on her heels, sweeping her unstained wrist over her forehead. He had lost consciousness by that point, but she was sure he was out of danger. She gestured for the closest men to help her lift him.
She was grim. She did not like using the artifact for healing. For like with all things, there was a dire price to be paid for such supposed miracles. Depending on how close the man was to death, it varied. A shallow scratch or a broken bone were easily done, with only the time the healing took sacrificed. But, when it was something like this? His life-span would likely be shortened by a few months. Some would ask, "What's a few months?" Well, sometimes it could make all the difference, really...
Eve was not going to tell him that though. It was better if he could actually get some sleep tonight.
I think if we didn't know the general direction in which to move, and if we didn't have Eagle Vision leading the way, there was hardly even a chance we'd be able to track Larry down. I had little to no skills in tracking outside the cities. And even there, it was usually Jake who hacked into street cameras and bank records, which made life that much easier. In Italy, I trusted Ezio, who had a better sense of direction than me. Plus, there were the thieves, mercenaries and whores, who were all very eager to share information as soon as they were shown some money. More recently, as the power of the Assassins grew, it was sometimes just because they wanted to help.
Here, we were on our own.
"He must have known of this," I muttered as I pushed away the sloppily covered bushes. Local kids must have gouged the hole a while ago to sneak out. As the years marched on, it wore and expanded. But somehow, it'd gone unnoticed. Or perhaps, the guards knew of it and just let the kids have their fun. "There's no way to see it through all this... shrubbery."
"Ladies first," Ezio smiled, gesturing in front of himself with a flourish, causing me to roll my eyes.
"Yeah, if I don't fall into some ditch the moment I step out, you'll know it's safe. How gentlemanly of you." Nonetheless, I bravely climbed through, only to be met with the rather anti-climatic scenery I already had the pleasure of viewing for most of the night, while waiting for Millie. A few bushes were trampled, clearing a wide open path. Larry knew we'd give chase, and perhaps even wanted us to follow, so he took no care in covering his tracks. Besides, much like Jake and me, he'd spent most of his life in the city.
"You seem to be in a surprisingly good mood," Ezio noted as he got out after me.
"I'll feel my best when I get my hands on that two-faced maniac," I replied savagely. I'd run out of philosophy for one day, and the promise of this chapter finally closing made me eager. The chance at revenge was a nice motivational bonus, too. "And then we can go home."
"Yes. Home, where Templars await eagerly."
"Weren't we supposed to travel to Forli?" I remembered suddenly. "Niccolo said he'd meet us there. We had everything ready to leave right before...well, getting sucked into a tear between time and space that was opened by a magical artifact."
"I'm not sorry," he shrugged, making a move towards me, but I already managed to regain my balance after stumbling over a log. "I'm actually rather glad you have this chance at closure." After a moment, he wondered, "Are you not worried about Jake anymore?"
"Well, obviously, I am. But I trust Eve and the Piece of Eden. He'll be fine." I was certain of it. Hell, I had to be, at this point.
"So the necklace is a Piece of Eden, huh?"
Both Ezio and me froze in our step, only to immediately dive for the nearest trees. A gun fired, but we were no longer in its range.
"Fast. Nothing less than I expected from my best student."
"Your only student now, it seems," I growled. Rage had long since pushed away all the fear I had for him. "Your best are dead now, and Kyle and Jordan are far away, in either prison or underground. Let us not forget that two of your formerly best students have turned on you."
"Please, I don't need them or you." There was absolutely no surprise, regret, or even a hint of anger in his voice. Just empty arrogance. "And you have picked the wrong side."
"And you haven't, stronzo?" Ezio snarled, nearly just as enraged as me. I could almost literally feel the waves of rage rolling off of him, causing me to nearly take a step back as he yelled to the air. "You are working for Templars, people who want to take away the free will of all of us. What, do you think they are just going to let you live once you deliver them the Talisman?"
"Templars? A fairy tale, you moron." I shifted my eyebrows together. What did he mean? "Your side isn't so innocent. They are brainwashing those kids to go against a supposed enemy that died out centuries ago, instead of directing them to useful causes."
"Like you?" I adjusted my Eagle Vision, looking for his position. He liked to talk, so he would not attack again until he decided the conversation was over. It was the mistake he always made. He assumed that his enemies were completely at his mercy, willing to wait like mice in their holes, and for the cat to walk away or finish them. He was, in most cases, the predator. But not this time. Let him have his delusions, I could work it to our advantage...
I found Ezio with my eyes, and motioned for him to start climbing while I talked. A tiny nod, and he soundlessly caught into the branch above him. It was already creaking in the wind, so his intrusion was unnoticed.
"Me? Eden, my girl, can't you see that I was the one that made you stronger?" He was laughing now, a hollow, lifeless sound that lacked any real emotion. "I was the one to forge you into someone who could have anyone on their knees within seconds. I was the one that made you into what you are today."
"You killed my mother and boyfriend, raped my sister, and made my life hell," I spat, focusing on keeping control. Just a little while longer…"Is that what making me stronger is called now?"
"They were distractions. I had to get rid of them for you to really become independent. It made you stronger, didn't it? Not having to care for anyone but yourself, surviving only because you are much like an animal who will fight to the death..."
"I can't believe you actually think that. It's a pathetic excuse," I hurled back, still scanning the forest for the tell-tale, glowing red outline, "You killed them so you could use me."
"Well, I made the knife," he chuckled, the sound low and harsh…and very near. "It's only natural I'd be able to use it, right?"
I had a few more throwing knives on me, as well as a gun. So I could simply find his location and shoot him down. But stupidly, I didn't want to end it like that, at a distance. I wanted to feel his last breath. I wanted his blood on my hands and blade and his expression of pain and fear seared into my mind. That was the least I deserved after what he put me and my sister through…
"Didn't I give you everything you wanted? Skills, weapons, contacts, reputation. Yet you still ran for it. And then came back just to run again. Why?"
"Because-" I could run for that tree over there, avoid the bullet he shoots at the first sign of movement. "-I rather not have everyone I'm close to dead, whatever you may think."
Breath.
Go.
I shoved off the tree to the side, swiftly avoiding the roots sticking out of the ground with some effort. Adrenaline began to pump in my temples as I slid past the bark on the first tree, and then the next. Three gunshots rang behind me, and then stopped, followed by an annoyed snarl. Sparing a glance in the direction, I saw that Ezio's throwing knife had disarmed Larry of his gun. I smiled to myself at his sound of surprise.
Ezio dropped down a ways off, drawing attention to himself and giving me an opening. I ran up the tree, pushed off with all my might, and fell onto Larry with all of my weight behind me.
Unfortunate, really...his own reflexes were still good. He swiftly moved out of my way, causing my knife only slit a long cut on his cheek as I fell with a loud thud to the ground. His hand jerked my hair so hard that I hissed in pain, and I felt a knife being pressed into my throat the next second.
Ezio froze in front of me, his breath hitching in throat. Yet it was so quiet, that without my Eagle Vision, I would've completely missed it.
"Caught you," Larry whispered into my ear. My mouth twisted in disgust- he always said that when we were training and he pinned me down. In the same tone, as well, as if speaking to retarded child. "You two work rather nicely as a pair, I did not expect that. But Eden, you didn't actually think you could best me, did you?"
He couldn't see it, but I was grinning. Ezio caught sight of my smile, but didn't give away his shock or understanding- he knew what my smiles meant, and that they were never the ones of goodbye.
"Go on, try something. I dare you. It would be a shame to waste such talent, but I'm sure the world will get over it..."
I felt the first bead of blood roll down my throat. There was already a scar there from the multiple times that people had attempted to use me as a human shield. But so far, I was alive, while they'd all met an early end...
I moved quickly, before Larry could even finish talking. My left hand, the one that was out of his sight, flashed upwards, piercing his wrist with the hidden blade. And then I simply turned around in his moment of pain and confusion, slamming the same blade into his throat. He realized what was happening only a moment later, perhaps surprised by my infinitely faster movements that he was not used to. Before, he had known me off on timing by a heartbeat.
That was his downfall today. He simply didn't account for me to be any better than before I fell through time.
Larry didn't die immediately, and I did not stab the blade repeatedly into him, like I thought I'd be urged to. There was no point, his death was inevitable. One of his hands clenched at my collar in a weakening grip, but I just calmly stared into those black eyes I despised so much.
I got my wish. The blood on my hands, the last breath, the last spark of emotion in his eyes. Something I couldn't really describe…anger, confusion, shock….and pride, strangely enough.
Ezio stepped forward softly, stopping Larry's hand from gripping the knife at his side in a last effort.
"Strange, how I have my sister back and a man I love," I softly murmured into Larry's ear, "Yet I'm stronger than when you took everything from me." I chewed my lip. I felt...relieved. Calm. As if I managed to finally cut away a heavy weight from my body. "You are just a lunatic that got caught in a war you really don't know anything of. Something you deny."
He did not reply, and I didn't think he could. The death was almost painless, I suspect. And suddenly, I didn't care if he did not suffer as much as he deserved. He was dead, and would no longer cause any trouble to any of us, no longer holding back my memory. That's all that mattered. I sighed, feeling a warm hand on my shoulder.
"Resquiescat in Pace."
And Larry was no more. It was almost like one of those fairy tales, with a happy ending. The villain had fallen, and the beautiful princess went on to get married to the handsome prince charming.
Well, I suppose that I'm not exactly a princess (though Ezio could definitely qualify as Prince Charming). And Larry was only one of the villains we'd taken care of. But aside from that...
Thank the Lord.
As I'd already learned, people in the compound worked only until the sun began to set, and then, they celebrated another day survived. However, this time, not many people really even knew what exactly the real celebration was. But plenty of them remembered Larry, many of whom wanted him dead. The news that he was no longer killing innocent people was as good a reason as any to grab some alcohol and yell out songs by the campfire.
I couldn't pull myself away from the mini parties going around, and nor did I want to. Instead, I sat on a log by one of the fires, Ezio leaning back against me, his knees drawn up. At one point, drunk on relief and copious amounts of alcohol, I began to braid his hair, stifling giggles and making sure he couldn't feel the tugs. Next to me, Jake watched the process with sadistic amusement. The assassin barely noticed, on his umpteenth cup of liquor, content and without a care in the world. Eve was right - there was not even a trace of the damage left on Jake, and aside from a few grimaces of pain, he was completely fine.
The fact that I was leaving this entire world behind did not phase me too much. With Larry and the worst of the gang gone, I had little purpose in this era anymore. But Jake…well, the fact that I was leaving him behind yet again made me feel a bit uncomfortable. As much as I wanted to get home, Jake was still my best friend. Loyal without question and to end, he protected even what was left of my family, in Eve. Perhaps that hesitation was the reason the Apple didn't allow us to return to the Renaissance quite yet.
Ezio caught my hands, pulling me forward and snapping me out of my thoughts. From surprise, I fell onto his shoulders, almost slamming my forehead into the back of his head.
"Sorry, Ezio, I couldn't resist," I grinned, sloppily kissing his ear. "You have such prettyhair!"
Everyone around the fire began to laugh, and Ezio quickly joined in, combing the braid out and quickly tying it back again. Then he suddenly leaped to his feet, stretching.
"I think it's time to go," he murmured, "After all, our work is never done, and I'd really rather not come back to a very unexpected situation in the past." He gave me two hands, and pulled me up as I took them.
"I'm not at all sad about it, either," I continued to smile. "Bring those Templars on, I will cut them up like cabbage!"
"You can't cut cabbage," he reminded me.
"Because I never tried!" I argued, "You won't let me near food!"
"And there's a reason for that." We began to walk away, really unsure of where we were going. I looked back to the fire and met eyes with Jake, who had already gotten to his feet and hurried after us. Without stopping, he threw an arm over my shoulders, grinning. Ezio shot him a sideways glance at the gesture, but didn't react, for which I was thankful. No need for petty fisticuffs to ruin our goodbyes.
"I guess this is it, right? You off to your fifteenth century?"
"Yep," I nodded, biting my lip slightly. "I sort of already made a life there, and I rather like it. Killing people with swords and daggers is easier than expecting a bullet in the back of the head at any moment."
"You learned sword-fighting?" he gleefully asked.
"Oh, yeah. At first from Ezio's uncle, and then here and there...by the way," I suddenly snorted, remembering something, "When I first met Mario, he introduced himself as 'It's a-me, Mario!'" Jake stared at me for a second in disbelief. "I'm serious," I added, still grinning. After a moment, he broke down into laughter, slapping his forehead with his hand.
"God must have a sense of humor!" he breathed out when he finally calmed down.
"That's what I thought. Though, a veteran assassin with a cool scar over his eye and sick skills with any type of weapon has hardly any similarities with a cartoon plumber...except for the fact that they're both Italian. " Ezio was listening with an incredulous expression, clearly confused. Jake, meanwhile, still choking on laughter, pulled me into a hug.
"I'll really miss you, kid," his voice suddenly dropped with genuine affection. He had never hugged me himself before, but now he was crushing my ribs with enthusiasm. It was very heart-warming, I decided, but I still needed oxygen.
"Jake, I love you too, but you're killing me," I gasped, and he laughed again, letting me go. "Don't worry, I'll make my mark on history, be sure of it," I said mysteriously, a sudden thought forming in my head. Before Jake could ask, however, I changed the subject. "Are you're actually going to join the assassins?"
"I'm getting tired of repeating this," he snorted with a wave of his hand, "Why the hell not? I think I can be useful. And I'll be on the lookout for you, too. Maybe I'll find some descendant of yours one day," he smirked, waggling his eyebrows. I actually blushed at that, shiftily glancing at Ezio, who was grinning.
"Jake, you know that's not likely to happen."
"Never say never, sister dearest." I looked around, only to smile as I saw Eve walking towards us. "You didn't think I'd let you leave without saying goodbye first, right?" she raised her eyebrows.
"Well, considering everything, I didn't count on it," I shook my head. She sighed.
"There's also something else," she breathed. "The Talisman is a huge help, but Diego agreed that it can still fall into the wrong hands. The recent incident is proof of that. So we've decided to send it on a time loop."
"And…what exactly are you going to do?"
"I'm giving it to you," she said, but didn't look all that eager to. "You won't be able to use it like I do, but I just want you to hide it somewhere safe. Or ideally, find a way to destroy it."
I thought for a moment. "I'm sure we can figure something out. But are you sure? I mean, it's like a part of you now."
"I'll live," she shrugged, though she looked nearly devastated. As the guys stepped away to give us some privacy, we remained silent for a bit. I had a feeling she was saying her own goodbye to the artifact….
Then I remembered something. "And what did you mean 'never say never?'"
"Huh? Oh, right." She realized what I meant, "If it's a problem with scarring and not a natural thing you were born with, I can…uh…heal it."
My heart jumped, and I suddenly felt light-headed, as though I'd forgotten how to breathe. "You mean," I found my hand falling to my stomach, "I'll…I'll be able to have…children?"
"Of course," she quietly said with a fleeting grin. "See, the Talisman reacts with the human body for some reason, forcing it to mend itself properly until its in the original state- what?" She realized that all of us present were watching her with shock. "Hey, I'm not completely heartless, whatever impression I give off."
"Oh, it's no problem. We're used to that already," Ezio glanced at me, and I snorted with laughter, remembering the impression I must have given off when we first met. "It's a family thing, I take it."
"I think this is the last thing you need from this time," she continued, coming closer. "Don't worry, this won't hurt nearly as much as healing open wounds."
It didn't hurt so much as burned. She simply pressed the Talisman to the old scar on my belly, and concentrated. At first, I didn't really feel anything, except for the fact that the Piece of Eden was almost unnaturally warm.
Then it was like a white-hot needle pierced through my stomach, shooting through me. It was almost eerily similar the original wound that'd left its mark, and I couldn't help a small gasp. But it was over before I could really quite register the pain, and Eve stepped away from me with a slight smile on her face. I gripped at my stomach, almost expecting to find a burn mark there. But I felt nothing but smooth skin.
"Are you alright?" Ezio whispered in my ear, and I lifted a finger to show I just needed a moment. Then I nodded; I didn't feel any different, but I was completely certain that it worked.
"I really have no idea how to thank you," I muttered to Eve. She just smiled, a real smile that I hadn't seen in years. My heart jumped at the sight, and I suddenly felt very much at peace.
However, holding out the Talisman towards me, she nearly ordered, "Just make sure you hide it properly."
"Don't worry, I'll hide it so well that only a great mind like our friend Leonardo would be able to figure it out," I nodded sadly, taking the Talisman into my hands.
I didn't want to say goodbye. Not to this time, but to my friend and the last family I had. But there was no way to bring them with us, I guessed. My case was one in a million, an accident of fate, perhaps, a mistake that whoever or whatever did it had no intention of repeating. But on the other hand, I had Ezio. I had Adel. I had Leonardo, and the entire Assassin order behind us.
I had the chance to have my very own children...
I don't know if Eve felt the same way about me, and I doubted it. After all, it was too long. Our relationship was cracked and broken, and I don't think it would ever be the same again. Considering the fact that we may very well have saved each other's lives and got past our pride, things were looking up, but they would never progress. I was simply content with the knowledge that Eve felt like my sister again, instead of just some woman from my past. It was sad that I wouldn't have a second chance to build our relationship. But just the fact that we left on good terms was enough.
Eve must have read my mind, and she stepped forward again, and hugged me. Awkwardly, as if she was not used to such human contact, but it was still welcome and genuine.
"You're the older sister, so you were always meant to do everything first," she chuckled in my ear, even as her voice hitched a bit, "You know, be the first to have a boyfriend, finish school, get married, have children..."
"Well, I'll be five centuries earlier than you, then," I joked in reply as I clutched her to me. She didn't protest.
"I just think it's only fair that you get the chance to do those things in the first place," she stepped away. "Sorry I won't be there to see it, though."
"Hey, you could name your firstborn after me!" Jake noted cheerfully, clapping me on the back.
"Jake-" I looked at his puppy eyes, and internally shuddered. Partially because his puppy eyes looked like the eyes of a hungry wolf. And partially because the name Jake in the Renaissance Italy seemed like the most ridiculous idea I have ever heard. "No. Just... no."
He sighed, not looking all that disappointed. "Oh, well, figures."
Jake suddenly did something else that I didn't expect (he was on a roll...). He marched up to Ezio, measured him with a glare, and gritted, "You better take care of her, or I'll figure out a way to kill you."
"Oh, I'm just shaking in my boots, amico," he drawled, rolling his eyes.
Both of them immediately burst into laughter, and I exchanged sour glances with Eve. Men.
"So how exactly are we getting back?" I raised an eyebrow. Eve shrugged.
"You just say goodbye."
I frowned. "Maybe I should also click my heels three times and say, 'There's not place like home?'"
"You could try, but I doubt that will speed the process up," she replied seriously. "Well, it all depends on how Ezio asked the Apple for help. In your case, until you are completely over your past. So lets count... Larry is dead, Dad's hidden blade is on your arm, you know the entire truth about our parents...and I guess I count as well. What's there left to do? Friends? Maybe some sort of items you want with you?"
I thought about it, and shook my head. "I have nothing left here, no offense to either of you," I quickly added.
"Pfft, none taken," Jake rolled his eyes. Absently, I walked into Ezio's arms, and raised my eyes to his in a questioning look. He replied with a shrug, and an encouraging smile. Suddenly, I remembered.
"Damn! I know! Wait here for a moment!"
Leaving them all staring after me, I ran back to the fires. After about ten minutes, I came back-
"An apple?" Jake stared at me like I was insane. I shrugged, biting into it.
"What? I was hungry. I brought a sandwich, too, so I'm all set. Goodbye twenty first century!" I called out loudly, ignoring the strange looks that were seriously questioning my sanity.
"Holy mother of Jesus, it actually worked..."
Jake stared at the spot where Ezio and Eden used to be for a long time, and then sighed heavily. He was almost completely sober by now, and the bitterness of the situation only hit after they disappeared.
He glanced at Eve, who was looking rather lost, but confident. If it was because of the loss of artifact or the disappearance of her sister, Jake didn't know.
"She said she'll make a mark," he nodded, "And if Eden said she'll do something, we can start looking immediately."
"We?" she raised an eyebrow.
"Hey, I saved your life, woman," he reminded her with a smirk, and she sighed, bringing a hand to her face and shaking her head in disbelief, "Don't think I'll just let you go off by yourself and risk it again…"