The Vixen of the Thieves – Chapter 2 – Fire Trap
Isabelle woke early.
She walked the misty streets back to her one time home. Alexander would keep her children safe, but she needed to return for some items. She was happy to be moving out. She would now live in a place she no longer had to fear for her children.
Alexander was a kind and gentle man. He had wanted a housekeeper, but he always treated her well and at times looked at her as if he wanted something more. She sighed. Was she ready to have another husband? It had been nine and a half years since she had a husband and nearly five since she had shared a bed with anyone. The dalliance – which was all it was – was soothing for the time. She and Antonio had become friends rather than lovers and the relationship worked better for them. Thankfully her belly had not swollen and though Antonio clearly cared for her, their friendship remained strong.
Now she was starting to wonder if it were time to think on her own happiness. Alexander had accepted her children and even seemed to like the idea of having a son. She sighed and walked into her home. It was strangely still without the children playing in the next room.
She collected some of the memories she had, what few she had. She put the miniature of Federico around her neck and looked about the room. It was an odd feeling to leave the home they had had for so long. Part of her was sad. Her children had grown up in these walls.
She turned to lift something when she felt her foot stick against the floor. She reached down and touched the black substance. Pitch.
The back tar was spread on the walls, on the floor, and…
There was a crash through the window. A torch flew in and landed on the pitch near her. The fire trapped Belle from her escape routes as she looked about. Belle moved as it spread quickly about her. She blinked as the smoke became choking and went up the walls.
She dropped to the ground and whimpered. Smoke was pouring out of the window. "Help!" She cried.
Looking for the door she found the smoke was making it hard to see and she was coughing so hard she could barely move. "Help…" She whimpered.
She blinked and thought she felt a pair of boots near her face. She was then being moved. It felt surreal. Was this what it was like to be dead? Her body ached with an odd pain. She blinked as her smoke filled eyes had daylight in them.
A face bent over her. His mouth was moving, but she could not hear.
Her eyes stung and she blinked rapidly before suddenly things became dark.
ZzZ
Gilberto Misterioso had been making his way back to the Venetian Thieves Guild when he smelled smoke. It was not the smoke of a wood fire or cooking fire. There was a smell to it, like the smell was acrid and he blinked.
He looked down from the rooftops to a building complex nearby. There was black smoke coming from a window. Several bystanders were watching. He came closer and heard a woman's voice within.
He took a breath and climbed up to the window and pulled himself in. The smoke was thick and he ducked down. He could hear the woman. He moved, not breathing, quickly. He had seen the woman and the door straight before him. He charged forward. He found her, nearly unconscious, within a few feet of the door, reaching out. He took her arm and pulled her to the door. Using his strength he threw open the door, dragging the woman with him. He pulled her all the way down the stairs and out into the daylight before he took a breath.
He panted as he looked her over, his hands going to her face, looking her over. "Are you the only one?" He asked urgently. "Madonna? Can you hear me? Are there others?" She did not answer.
Some of her clothing was burned and the flesh beneath was also red and angry, but even as her eyes rolled back, he could feel her heart beating. He took a breath and lifted her in his arms. She was not heavy, but he was a bit out of breath from her rescue. He heard people beginning to throw water from the canals onto the fire. He slung her over his shoulder as though she were a sack of vegetables and walked away from the scene.
He made it to the guild courtyard.
Antonio looked up. "What happened?"
"I found this woman trapped in a burning building."
"Does she live?"
"Yes."
Antonio walked to him and lifted the thick dark, scorched hair to reveal the girl's blackened features, the beautiful face he knew well and had kissed senseless on more than one occasion. "Belle." He gasped.
"What?"
"Good, La Volpe. Come bring her to my rooms. Rosa. Fetch Bianca!"
Rosa nodded as she came up to them and then turned to go fetch the woman who healed their hurts. La Volpe laid the girl down as Antonio looked her over.
"She has several burns, but I do not think they are serious. The smoke may have harmed her." Volpe said.
Antonio nodded as he used a cloth dipped in water to clean the soot from her face.
"She is beautiful." La Volpe said leaning against the wall. "What is her name?"
"Isabelle."
"She does not have a family name?"
"She never told me." He sighed. "Though I wish she had." He shook his head. "Guardo a voi ora, bellissima. Ora. È necessario vivere. I bambini hanno bisogno di voi."
La Volpe blinked. "She has children?"
"Yes." Antonio said. Volpe eyed his compatriot a moment. Antonio chuckled. "No they are not mine." He said catching the look. "She is a widow."
"You seem to know her intimately enough." Volpe said. He found it odd he did not know her. If she was friend to the thieves he would have at least known her name. It was hard to hide from him. He would have to learn more about her.
"Yes." Antonio said. "We were lovers before you ask, but that was several years ago. We decided it was better to be friends." He reached down and ripped the dress revealing her full breasts and nearly flat midriff. La Volpe had the decency to look away until Antonio had managed to strip her of the dress and put her under the light blankets, but not before La Volpe saw her back. The scars there meant she had endured a fierce beating. An escaped slave? Who was this girl?
"This was not the way I wished her to return to my bed." Antonio said looking down at his former lover. He sighed and bent lifting her hand to his lips.
"Injured?" Volpe asked.
"Exactly."
La Volpe sighed. "Where are her children?"
"Rosa would know."
La Volpe nodded as Bianca and Rosa came in carrying towels. He caught Rosa's arm. "Where are her children?"
"Safe with her employer." She said. He nodded and released her to tend the woman.
"This fire…there was pitch burning. It smelled of evergreen and turpentine."
"You think this fire was deliberate?" Antonio asked as the women lowered the blanket enough to lift her arms. Both had angry red burns.
Bianca looked at the deep scars she had on her palms. "This girl has been through hell." She commented.
La Volpe agreed.
ZzZ
It took three days for the girl to awaken.
La Volpe had found her children with Rosa. He had written a note to the master of the house imploring him to keep the children safe because their mother had nearly been murdered. When she woke he would bring her to him to fetch the children.
Isabelle blinked. Her head and body ached, but she realized it was night time. There were two candles in the room and she looked up and saw a stranger moving to her. His head was hooded, but she could clearly see he was older than she was by more than ten years. He had a thin boned face, but it was handsome. His yellow and brown clothing made him blend well as he stood still.
"How are you?" He asked gently pressing a cloth to her head.
"You…You rescued me."
"Yes." He said.
"Where am I?"
"With the thieves." He said.
"Who are you?"
He chuckled. "They call me many things: Murderer. Tagliagole. Thief."
"La Volpe!" She gasped.
"Indeed." He said.
She moved and then suddenly sat upright. She gasped. "My children…" She said.
He gently pressed her back. "No…rest. They are safe. Your employer has been keeping them."
"Alexander must not be happy I have been gone."
"I think he understands since you were nearly murdered."
"Murdered?"
"I found pitch and turpentine that had not burned. Whom have you offended, my dear?"
"I am not sure."
"No one pops into your head." He watched her eyes look down. "Ah, there is one."
"The Snake."
"I see. What is that figlio di puttana up to now?"
"He threatened my daughter and then me."
"What did you do to make him try to kill you?"
"Showed him I was not afraid of him."
"With your blade?" He asked lifting it from the bedside table. "I have seen one similar on Giovanni Auditore and his son…"
"Ezio." She breathed.
"You know of them?"
She looked away and he lifted her hand seeing her burn. He had one as well and showed her. "We all have our secrets, Isabelle."
"Ezio gave it to me as a gift." She sighed.
He nodded. "It is the tool of an assassin." He smiled then. "Come then. Would you like some food?" He asked. "I am sure you are famished."
"Yes." She said looking up, her face brighter.
ZzZ
La Volpe gently was treating her burns as she held the blanket to her breasts for modesty. He then looked back at her back. "Tell me Belle. For what crime were you whipped?"
"Being born to a man who brought me home to a cruel step-mother."
"Pardon?" He asked looking at her.
"My step-mother hated me because I was born of her lover and another woman." She sighed. "She beat me every night she could." She looked away. "My father did nothing to stop it."
"The world is cruel, Belle, but I am sorry you suffered for it."
She waved her hand. "It is not as bad as it looks."
"Now, certainly." He sighed and then looked at the worst burn. It was on her hip, dangerously close to the junction between her thighs. He had a clear view of the curve of her hip and the roundness of her buttock. He gently put the salve on as she looked down watching his hands. He smiled as he gently placed a cloth over it and then lifted the blanket to cover it.
He itched to touch her. He was not jealous of Antonio because he had learned they were not lovers and she was a free woman to choose.
"If you dress, I can take you to see the children."
She looked at him and sprang from the bed. She winced, her body was not ready for such a move and he quickly moved and supported her nude body. She looked up at him and he smiled softly and then when she was steady stepped away. He gently lifted a dress for her.
She climbed into it and he smiled gently at her as she poked her head out, watching his expression. When she was dressed, he gently watched her brush out her hair. She then braided it with deft movements of her hands.
He nodded when she rose to her feet. They moved quickly through the streets, out of the sight of many, and dismissed by people who did see them.
They arrived at the townhouse and Isabelle walked in. La Volpe remained on the stair, watchful, as he waited.
Alexander met her as she walked in. "Isabelle." He said softly. He went to her and touched her arm. "Are you well?"
"Yes."
"He looked her over and saw the burns on her neck and lower arm. "Are you in pain?"
"Not often." She smiled. "I wish to see my children, if I may."
"Of course." He said.
She turned. "Alexander. "She started. "I am not sure I can continue in your employee. With someone trying to kill me, I cannot have you at risk."
"I will gladly take the risk."
"It is not fair to you." She said.
He took a breath and nodded. He pulled out his pocket book. "My door is always open, my dear, should you need help." He lifted several notes out.
She looked at him as he pressed them into her hands. It was easily four months of pay. "But…"
"You were an amazing housekeeper. This will get you a good start."
"You are not angry?"
"Disappointed perhaps, but not angry. I would wish to hide if I were under threat as well."
"Thank you for your understanding."
He led the way to her children. They came to her and embraced her. They sat for a time just holding each other. Alexander looked on.
Isabelle finally rose. "Pack your things." She told them.
They did and within an hour she was ready. Alexander smiled and bent to kiss her cheek. "I mean it, Isabelle. If you are in trouble and are in need of help. Find me."
"I will." She said.
She then brought her family into the street. La Volpe appeared. Giovanni looked at the older man. "Who are you?" He asked.
"A friend of Rosa." He smiled.
Giana smiled. "She gave me a doll.
He nodded and smiled.
They walked to the guild headquarters. Antonio welcomed them and Rosa took the children for a hot meal. Isabelle went to the roof with La Volpe. He smiled at her as he took a breath looking out over the city.
"Tell me my dear. How do you know Ezio?"
"He is a friend."
"More than that, I am sure."
"What?"
"You smile fondly when you speak of him." He took a step to her. "So was he a lover?"
She cracked a laugh. "No." She sighed and looked down as she walked passed him. "His brother was my husband many years ago."
"You are his family?"
"My children are his family." She said. "I am his brother's widow."
"That makes you his family." He said. He smiled and touched her shoulder. "You have never remarried?"
"I have never found someone who could love me." She sighed. "I miss Federico. I have never been able to allow someone into my heart so."
He nodded. "I understand." More than she could have guessed.
She smiled a little. "Yes. I think you do." She sighed and took his hand gently in her own, squeezing it. "Thank you for saving my life."
"You are welcome, Isabelle." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. He turned to leave.
"Where are you off to?"
"I am off to see to the thieves. Never fear. I will return."
She nodded as he moved and swung down from the roof.
"He likes you." A voice said near her elbow.
"Perhaps."
Rosa chuckled. "Belle. I have seen that twinkle before. My own lover has it when he looks at me."
Belle laughed merrily. "Indeed."
"Yes. Be careful or you will have the Fox eating from your hand."
Isabelle shook her head and turned to moved back to the guild courtyard. Her children were playing.
Antonio came to her. Her former lover was a thin man and she smiled at him. He was taller than she and sighed. He gently caressed the back of her neck in a familiar gesture.
She closed her eyes in pleasure. "The snake needs to pay." Belle said even as her eyes closed of their own accord.
"He will." Antonio promised. He leaned close and kissed her cheek. "We will find him."
"I owe you much brother."
He looked at her serious for a moment. "Piccola, you own me nothing. You are a beautiful woman whom I care for and whose life is in danger. You are always welcome here. You know that. Here we can protect you and the children."
"Yes, but is it enough?"
"For me?" He asked looking at her. He sighed. "Belle, I shared your bed more than once. Though those memories are tender, I know your heart. You need to free your heart from the prison it holds itself. Federico is long dead. You deserve happiness."
"I cannot be your lover, Antonio. Not anymore."
"I am not asking you to, Belle." He kissed her cheek. "I want you happy and if that is with another man, so be it. I will be the brother whom is always there for you."
"Thank you, Antonio." She squeezed his thin hand.
Isabelle took a breath.
Was she ready?
It had been nearly 10 years since she had had a man whom would look after her. Perhaps after living so long on her own she feared a man who would not accept her for what she was. She was an able-bodied woman with two children and was going to hunt a snake.
Perhaps the Fox would be of help in that endeavor as well.