Chapter 21

I woke up rather early the next morning, still tired from the last nights excursions. I dressed in a light yellow dress that had white stitching of flowers along the bottom; the flowing sleeves went to my wrists before billowing outward. I braided my long hair back before using what Claudia had called a headband to push my bangs back and out of my face. Once I thought I was suitable enough for going outdoors, I went down to meet Dante for breakfast.

When I walked in, Dante looked up from his plate and smiled at me for a second but then it was gone. "Where are you headed today?" He asked as I sat down while a maid came in with my plate - it was the same one that dropped the pan at the stairs last night and ran; she kept her eyes downcast from my own but looked at me when I touched her wrist as she laid the food in front of me. I tried to give her an apologetic look and she seemed to understand what I was getting at as she nodded and gave me a small, yet tired smile.

I moved my food around my plate as I thought of what I had to do today. I cleared my throat before answering Dante, "I thought I would go and check out Emilio's mercato as well as his home. He won't be suspicious to see his nuora looking around as opposed to seeing some street thugs."

Dante nodded, agreeing with my logic. "That's true. I could probably get us inside the home if you wanted. Although, we would have to talk to Emilio."

I waved a hand, uncaring of that fact. "That would not matter to me - like I said a nuora has every right to wish to see her padre nelle leggi large and beautiful palazzo." I smirked at Dante as I said those falsely sweet words and he smiled back, still looking a little unsure.

"He's a very private man but I have no doubt that you and I would be allowed entrance."

"Bene." I replied as I ate a biscotti slowly so I would not dirty my light colored dress. As I finished, I dabbed my mouth daintily and noticed Dante chuckling behind his own napkin. "What?"

"Your eating habits are quite strange."

"Oh, shut up." I said as he laughed a little harder at my words. I rolled my eyes as I stood before looking over at Dante with critical eyes. "Do you think it is safe to leave I'arco here?"

Dante pressed his lips together as he thought about this. I knew I could trust the majority of my household but there was always a chance of a thief. He shrugged after a long moment, "I can signal Nico to come meet us here and we can have him watch over it."

"Sounds like a plan." I agreed as I left the room and went to sit on the side of my fountain; I waited for Dante to send his signal before he met me in the room with Nico trailing behind him. I stood as the two men approached me. "Salute, Nico."

He nodded back with a small smile before replying shortly, "Ciao."

"It is in my room behind the dresser - you can stay in there if you would like. You can also go into my office and look around."

"Grazie, Aria. I brought a book to keep me busy - no worries."

"Va bene." I replied as Dante went and opened the door for me. "We will be back in a little while." Nico nodded and went up the stairs as Dante closed the door behind us. I waited as a gondola came up to meet us and I looked up out of habit to see a white robe fluttering in the wind. When Dante and the gondolier were not paying attention, I pressed two fingers to my lips and blew a small kiss toward the robed figure on the roof. I saw the figure reach out like he was grabbing my kisses before pressing his own hand to his mouth. I smiled as I stepped onto the gondola a little more surefooted - so, he remembered that from when I left for Venezia?

Dante pointed out sights for me as we went past them in the small boat; even the gondolier showed me some things. It was a very relaxing trip over to Emilio's side of the mercato. After getting out of the boat, Dante pointed to a large palazzo in the distance.

"That is the palace of the Marchese de Ferrara."

I could tell from the look on Dante's face that I should remember something about this and after I thought about it, I came to the conclusion. "One of my cousins?"

Dante smiled at my remembrance and nodded. "Distant cousin but you are not incorrect." I was about to ask him a question about said cousin but a harsh yelling intervened and Dante and I both turned toward the argument. A few feet away from us was two armed guards harassing a businessman.

"We told you yesterday as well as countless other times - you are to stay at your home, sir," said one of the uniforms.

"And I told you! My rent is paid and I deserve to sell my wares here, especially after you destroyed the lot of them yesterday!" The two guards looked at one another before one stepped forward and grabbed what seemed to be the last of the mans wares as the other held the man back. He tossed them into the canal as the man howled in grief, "My wares! How am I supposed to live without products to sell?"

One of the uniforms got in the mans face and I started to step towards them but stopped as I felt Dante touch my shoulder. He shook his head as I looked back at him and I frowned as the guard said, "No more of this nonsense, sir." They swaggered off, as if they were not in a hurry as the man slumped on the ground with his head in his hands. I shrugged Dante off and went to the man and kneeled in front of him. He looked up and scowled at the sight of me.

"Sigorina Barbarigo. Leave me be - hasn't your family done enough to me?"

I frowned. I suppose my wedding did bring me a good amount of publicity. I dropped a pouch full of coins at his feet. "No one deserves what just happened to you."

He stared at the coins as if they might burst into flame at any time before smiling up at me with tears in his brown eyes. "You have no idea how much this means to me. My wife and children will be able to have a suitable meal for once. Grazie! Thank you!" He kissed my hand as he jumped up and ran out of the mercato before the guards came back to see him still there.

I turned back to Dante and he was smiling serenely at me. "That was a kind thing of you to do."

"I will do whatever it takes to help these people that are put under Templar rule."

Dante nodded but did not reply as we continued on throughout the mercato. I thought about what I had just seen. Antonio was correct; things did need to be changed around here and fast if this was how they treated their businessmen. Dante took me through the twisting streets of Venezia before we finally arrived at Palazzo Seta. I recognized it from the miniature scale that Antonio kept in his office.

As I looked over it, Dante spoke from my side. "Would you like to hear what Barbarigo had me saying as a tour guide when I first came here?"

I nodded but laughed, "You were a tour guide?"

He grinned and his blue eyes sparkled as he replied, "You have to start somewhere." I gestured for him to continue so I could hear this line he had to say. He coughed dramatically before speaking, "Home of Su Altezza Emilio Barbarigo. Messer Barbarigo is famous at present for his attempts to unify the merchants of the city under his guiding control. A laudable undertaking which has, alas, encountered some resistance from the more radical elements in the city…"

I almost began to laugh at the silly line that he had to give before I heard a deep, familiar voice behind me. "Ah, Dante. Giving mia nuora the grand tour?"

I turned and smiled brightly as Emilio came towards me with a few guards of his own. I saw Armando a little bit behind him but we did not make eye contact. "Si, Emilio! Your home is beautiful and it is quite noble of you to unite the merchants."

Emilio gave an odd laugh before saying, "I do try my best." His words were laced with pride and I felt disgust as I thought of the poor merchant from earlier. Speak of the devil and he shall appear - the merchant emerged from another street as I said this. My pouch of money was gone from his hands and I assumed he had taken it home before coming here.

"Messer Barbarigo!" The man said as he walked forward with purposeful steps. "I paid your cazzo rent and I still cannot sell my wares! What is the meaning of this?" The man didn't look my way and I wished he would because I was glaring at him so hard. He should just go home and leave this be for the time being. Emilio was not amused by this man and it seemed like he had dealt with him before.

"Men?" His guards and Armando looked towards him expectantly. "Arrest this scusa patetica per un uomo." At my appalled expression, Emilio said, "He has been harassing me for some time, cara. I told him what the consequences would be if he tried again."

I nodded, unable to speak against this act to Emilio because I had to listen to him. I wanted to kill him right then and there but I couldn't, so I watched them grab the man roughly. Emilio smiled, suddenly and it seemed twisted and fake. "Come let us take him to the cages to put him with the thieves we've captured."

He held out an arm and I took it, watching as his men carried the businessman in front of us. I could see the man looking back at me with pleading eyes but I looked away - I couldn't help him in front of Emilio. I thought about his words. Other thieves? I wondered what that meant for the Thieves Guild and if it was even them that he had captured.

"Have you had any thing stolen from your palazzo, Maria?"

"Not that I know of!" I exclaimed, looking surprised and a little scared of the mention of thieves. I mentally noted that I should have Antonio remove some trivial things from my home to make it look like we had been a target as well.

"Ah, many homes of my friends have been robbed clean but we caught some of the Iadri and put them on display so the others would learn a lesson."

I kept quiet. I was glad he kept them out in the open for it would have taken an army to breach the dungeons of his palazzo. As we approached the small iron cages and I could see the thieves huddled together in the cramped space. The guard threw open the door and tossed the businessman in with the thieves before locking the gate back. A crowd has gathered around the cages, for it amused them to see others suffering and I looked over each person in the cage.

The looked weak already. "How long have they been in the cages?" I asked Emilio and he shrugged with an indifferent look on his face.

"A day or so. They are already beginning to break." I agreed with him on that. They wouldn't last six days without food or water and they already looked horrible after one day. I noticed that whenever they tried to sleep a guard would poke them roughly with a stick. I made eye contact with most of them in there and they all recognized me but did not say a word. I frowned as I looked over them before turning to Emilio and said loudly, "I'm quite tired. I think I may retire now."

Emilio nodded and Dante and I said our goodbyes. I had not gotten to see the inside of the palazzo but that wasn't important to me anymore. I had to stop this monster before he destroyed this district completely. I decided then - Emilio was to die tonight.

The rest of the day passed slowly as I planned the assassination. I didn't have much to go on but I included Ezio, Antonio and his thieves into the taking over of the palazzo while I rescued the people in the cages. The thought of people suffering meaninglessly made me angry the more I thought of it.

When night had fallen - I pulled on the silken robes I had taken from the catacombs of the city. It was a surprisingly perfect fit, though a little tight at the chest. I pulled on the gauntlet and tested out the old blade before sharpening it to excellence. I put my normal gauntlet on the other arm and slipped throwing knives into my sash before pulling the hood over my face. This one did not have a veil but that didn't matter. I wanted Emilio to see who it was that was taking his disturbing life away.

I retrieved the bow from the hiding place and unwrapped it slowly - still a little unsure of using the Piece of Eden. When my fingers touched the gold material, it rejoiced - I thought you had abandoned me. I nodded at its word and sighed as I felt its sheer power go through me.

"I was scared." I did not bother to lie to the Piece as it would know if I had.

I… apologize for what happened. I was overcome by the intensity of your emotions and I allowed them to overpower us both.

"I thought that you were intensifying my emotions?"

I was but I was not. I didn't know what to say to that. It made no sense to me. I do not feel emotions as Humans do. I understand them but I cannot experience them without a conduit. I intensified your emotions because they interested me and I wanted to experience more. I went too far but by then, your emotions overtook me and I did not know how to stop them.

I was still a little confused by it all but I just nodded and said, "I understand, Epirus but please, do not intensify my emotions without my consent."

Of course.

I made my way to the roof, surprised that Dante was following me up. Ezio was awaiting me and smiled briefly before noticing Dante behind me. Ezio seemed apprehensive of his appearance but did not seemed threatened by this. I started to speak but stayed quiet as Dante stepped around me and held out his hand to Ezio. I thought it was rather brave move on his part.

"I sincerely apologize for being so rude to you last night, signore Ezio." Ezio took his hand without hesitation and shook it as Dante continued, "I had some sense knocked into me so you won't have to worry about that happening ever again."

Ezio grinned at Dante fully before chuckling. "No hard feelings, mio amico. I can only guess who knocked the sense into you." They both looked over at me as they released each others hand with smiles on their lips. I blushed, feeling more reserved tonight than I had the night before and I knew that Epirus was truly trying to stay out of my feelings. Ezio laughed, "Trust me, I know how she can be."

"Impossible?" Dante replied with a small smile as Ezio smirked back at him.

"Frustrating?" He replied after a moment and he smiled widely as I began to scowl while he and Dante looked at one another.

"Si!" They said in unison before laughing together like the best of friends. I smiled, slightly annoyed but I allowed them to enjoy their little joke since it brought two important men in my life a little closer. After a full minute of their laugher, I snapped at them both to go on with their lives now. Ezio chuckled lowly as Dante apologized - I ignored this because I could still see the small smile twitching on his lips.

"I'm sorry, Ezio but we will have to dine with Leonardo another night." Ezio nodded, though he looked a little confused. "A few disturbing things have come to my attention and I have decided that Emilio Barbarigo has to die tonight."

"Are we even ready for this?" Ezio asked with a faraway look in his eyes, as if he was thinking of Palazzo Seta like I was.

"We are going to have to be ready for this." I replied and he nodded at me. I looked over to Dante, "Will you go and fetch Nico and meet us at the Thieves Guild?" He nodded and said goodbye before taking off over the rooftops. I turned back to Ezio and tilted my head at him, trying not to smile at the Florentine. "You find me frustrating, Ezio?"

"More so than you could ever imagine." Ezio replied drolly with a fake look of irritation on his face. I nudged his shoulder with mine and he laughed.

I smirked at him, feeling a bit of confidence that was all my own, "You love it."

Ezio smiled much more softly and replied, "Si, I cannot deny that." We stared at one another and I was getting ready to break down and admit my feelings to him when he said, "We should be getting to Antonio's now."

"Si. Certo." I whispered as we left the roof together. I shook my head to myself as we went over the rooftops in silence. I didn't know why I had felt so compelled to tell Ezio something like that before a big mission - it would have been foolish and I was glad Ezio had interrupted those thoughts.

We made it to the Guild quickly and I rushed inside to find Antonio. Ugo directed me to his office and I entered without knocking and found him talking with Teodora. They bother turned as Ezio and I entered.

"Ah, un tempismo perfetto." Antonio said as he and Teodora stood to greet us both. Antonio shook Ezio's hand as he smiled over at me. He looked back to Ezio and said, "Ezio - this is Sister Teodora." Teodora bowed her head as Ezio kissed her hand. After releasing her hand, Ezio turned toward Antonio and I with a slight smirk on his full lips.

"Have I missed something here? I've never really seen either of you as religious types."

Antonio and I laughed together but Teodora remained impassive as she spoke seriously, "It all depends on how you view religion, Ezio. It's not men's souls alone that require solace."

Ezio seemed impressed by her words and considered them for a moment before he replied, "Truer words were never spoken." I rolled my eyes behind his back while Antonio laughed good-naturedly - even Teodora could not resist cracking a smile at Ezio.

"Would either of you like un Biscotti? Un caffe?" Antonio asked as he looked at a pot that was over the fire.

"Caffe, per favore." I answered as he poured me a nice black cup. I inhaled the aroma before sipping on the bitter liquid. I had grown used to the taste over the last few months but it was still a little much for me. The energy the caffe brought me was too great to ignore, though.

"Excuse me - a what?" Ezio asked as he eyed the black liquid in my cup.

"A coffee." I explained as I took another drink. I turned to Antonio and Teodora and said, "We don't have this kind of thing back in Monteriggioni."

"Ah, you must try it then!" Antonio said enthusiastically to Ezio as he poured him a small cup full. Ezio took the cup and tasted the liquid. I could tell that he thought it was bitter but he said that he liked the taste - though, it could be better with sugar and cream. Antonio was a little offended by that because he thought black coffee was the most delicious thing ever but I silently agreed with Ezio on this. I wouldn't dare to say that in front of Antonio, however. He took his coffee very seriously.

I sat my half full cup down and gave Antonio a serious expression, causing Teodora and him to sit down and wait for what I had to say. "We have to make our move tonight on Palazzo Seta."

"Tonight?" Antonio replied but he did not sound surprised and his eyes appeared to be calculating a plan. I nodded and reiterated what all Dante and I had seen today - telling him of his Thieves that were in the cages. "I believe that you are correct, Aria. Tonight is the night."

"We have much to do." Ezio replied and all of us in the room nodded.

Teodora spoke next. "That is why I have come. I have gathered some disturbing news that some have defected from us and have joined Emilio, offering to be spies for him."

"Merda!" I exclaimed; Teodora and Ezio nodded empathetically, agreeing with my choice in words.

"That changes things." Antonio said as he looked between Ezio and I. "I would ask you both to take care of these things for me as I finish the preparations for the attack against the Palazzo Seta. Meet back here after you are finished and we will get started immediately."

"Where are they taking refuge at?" I asked Teodora and she thought for a moment before answering me.

"I believe it is called Il Vecchio Specchio. My girls have said that they meet Emilio's agents, exchange information and take new orders. My girls took the liberty to rob Emilio's men of their armor while they slept. It is out in the other room with the men."

"How many?" Ezio asked her and Teodora turned toward him.

"Five." Teodora answered, understanding that he wanted to know how many defected from our cause and not the number of suits. She was particularly smart in this way - something that made me enjoy her company.

"They will be taken out." I said as Ezio and I stood, finishing the last of our coffee and enjoying the energetic buzz that was flowing throughout our bodies. As we began to walk out of the room, Teodora's voice called out to me.

"Aria… That bow." I turned back and we locked eyes and I knew from that point that she had been in the sect in the north before coming to Venezia. She knew exactly what kind of bow that I carried. She studied me closely before smiling and nodding at me, "It suits you. We must speak of this later."

I nodded as I went out of the room with Ezio and we called the men to us. I noticed that Rosa was lounging on a nearby cushion with her bandaged leg propped up. I asked her how she was feeling.

"I'm fine. I wish I could come with you all but my stupido leg needs to heal more."

"Perhaps next time." I replied and she smiled, nodding at me before turning her attention to Ezio.

"I never thanked you for saving me." Ezio just smirked and shrugged at her.

"You could just give me my money back." Rosa laughed loudly as I looked at her with a raised brow and asked,

"You took his money?"

"What!" Rosa exclaimed at me before laughing at his expression. She pulled a familiar bag out from behind her back and threw it towards him. "I planned on giving it back. Perhaps you should start putting some of your money in other pouches, si?" Ezio flushed a little and looked annoyed; perhaps reliving the same words I had said a year ago before our encounter with La Volpe. I smiled at Ezio's disgruntled expression before Ugo said,

"What's the plan?" I turned toward him and noticed that everyone had gathered around us as well as Dante and Nico.

Ezio and I looked at one another and I realized, as we stared at one another, he was waiting for me to speak. I sighed - he was going to have to learn to plan his own actions and strategies himself one day. "Our brothers have been captured and placed into cages and I will be leading a small group to liberate them while Ezio leads another group to the tavern, Il Vecchio Specchio, to weed out traitors to our cause." I looked around and saw that the pile of Barbarigo guards armor was sitting on the floor in a corner. I pointed at it and said, "The ones going with Ezio to take out the spies will be wearing this armor, here.

"We meet back here after we are finished. Antonio will coordinate our movements from then on. Understood?"

A unanimous, "Understood," came back to me and I nodded and began to separate our men into groups. I put Ugo and Nico into Ezio's group with a few other thieves while Dante and about four others were placed into my own group. I began to leave with my men when Ezio's hand wrapped around my elbow.

He looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Buona fortuna."

I clasped arm against his in a salute to each other. "Tu pure. See you soon, Ezio." He smiled and we released one another before I left the Guild with my men while he and his men dressed in the guard uniforms.

We made it to the cages quickly and sat in wait as Dante and I observed clandestinely the comings and goings of the Watch. It seemed to me that one group of guards continuously passed from one cage to the next.

As the night grew darker, most of the observers had left, leaving mostly guards to watch over the cages. Dante and I decided to take the risk and made our way to the first cage when the Guard was just about to leave for the second cage. Once the Guard had departed and were out of sight and earshot, we managed to spring the locks, releasing our friends from the dreadful cages.

The men and women we liberated, twenty-seven in number, were already in a sorry plight, but at least they had not been individually manacled. I led them to the wells that could be found in the centre of almost every square, so that their first and most important need was fulfilled. As we released our men from the last cage, the businessman from earlier came toward me and held out his hand. I took it and he looked over my face, realizing whom I was. He just smiled as squeezed my hand.

"Thank you." I nodded as he ran towards what I assumed was his home. I hoped he had enough sense to leave the city before the guards came for him again. I shook my head and Dante and I led our men through the city toward the Guild. I hoped Ezio had not had too much trouble from the traitors.

When we entered the Guild, I noticed that Ezio and his men were already back but Ezio was no where to be seen. I assumed he was in Antonio's office and was not disappointed when I entered the room. "The mission was successful."

Antonio nodded and continued to look over the Palazzo Seta, scribbling notes and calculations across a paper set in front of him. "We are almost ready to begin."

"What first?" I asked and Antonio thought for a moment before replying,

"The archers represent our greatest threat and I think you would be able to handle them well, Aria." I nodded, agreeing and feeling the bow strum with energy and anticipation against my shoulder.

"Any word on Emilio's location?"

"He appears to be inside his Palazzo but it looks as if he is preparing to leave." Antonio answered. He looked at the two of us. "Armando has sent the signal that he and his spies are ready for our invasion. You may head there and my men and I will not be far behind."

Ezio and I nodded before leaving the office. I explained the plan to Dante and Nico as Ezio chatted with Rosa. We left soon after, heading straight for Palazzo Seta. Once we were close enough, I moved to go up to a rooftop but Ezio stopped me.

He pressed his lips against mine and I kissed him back in impatience to begin the mission. We would have more time for this later. Ezio noticed my tenseness and laughed before releasing me and watching me climb up the sheer walls to the roof. I stuck to the shadows and found the place Antonio wanted me to cross to the Palazzo. I could see an archer standing in the area I was supposed to land in, watching the water of the canal below. Another was a few steps away and I launched my self over - straight into the first archer, silencing him before he could warn the others and drawing Epirus and shooting the other before he had even noticed I was there. I signaled Ezio and he came over another way that was over the garden.

I could see him position himself in a tree branch and I could faintly hear Emilio's voice rising through the air. I shook my head, ignoring this - this was Ezio's job and I needed to help the others. I turned my attention back to outside the walls and I could see Antonio in the shadow of an alley. I nodded at him before jumping down to where Armando was supposed to be meeting me.

"Aria, over here!" A hushed voice whispered as I dropped into the courtyard. I rushed over and met face to face with Armando - he looked exhausted. "Glad you're finally here. Come, help me get this gate down so our men can infiltrate."

We lowered the gate and our men snuck in quietly before setting out into other parts of the Palazzo. Antonio came in last with a limping Rosa and Armando and I raised the gate again, so any passing guards would not notice. We separated and I went back to the roof to watch for Ezio - I wanted to evaluate his progress. After taking out the remaining archers - I looked over the edge of the walls at Ezio and Emilio. They had went to the canals and Emilio was on a gondola, waiting for the gondoliers to cast off. When he turned his back, Ezio dropped down from the overhanging tree and knocked both gondoliers out of the boat with his elbows.

Emilio turned at the sudden jerking movement of the gondola and gasped as Ezio wrapped his hand around his throat. I could hear his gurgled calls for help. Rosa came to my side, out of breath from her trek up the long stairs to the walls. We both watched in rapt fascination as Ezio plunged his blade straight into the mans heart. Death came to Emilio quickly and silently. I was proud of how well he executed the kill and I knew that he truly had been practicing diligently.

He was going through Emilio's pockets when Rosa whispered to me, "Aria, if I never ask anything from you again - will you shoot an arrow towards him?"

"What?" I asked, surprised and a little confused. Why would I shoot at him?

"It will be hilarious. You don't really have to shoot him just right between his legs on the gondola to scare him a bit."

I knew my aim would be true and it would scare the hell out of him so I smiled mischievously at Rosa and drew Epirus. "Do not be alarmed by this bow, Rosa." Rosa seemed confused and went to retort but went silent as I drew back the bowstring, allowing the arrow to materialize. She was gaping at the bow but grinned as I aimed at Ezio - letting Epirus assist me so I would not hit him on accident. He sat down, looking at what appeared to be another codex page and I knew it was the most perfect shot I could get. I released the arrow and it hit the gondola with a thud and Ezio jumped so high that Rosa and I thought we would die from laughing. He looked around with a deadly look in his eyes but Rosa rose her hand and waved heartily, still laughing at Ezio.

"Perhaps you should go explain - he looks upset." I laughed but agreed and went down the wall, jumping onto the boat before falling forward and straight into Ezio's arms. I smiled up at him as he chuckled at me.

"Sorry, Ezio - it was such a foolish prank! We just simply couldn't resist."

Ezio laughed but kissed me before pulling back. "You scared the hell out of me." I laughed as he helped me up to the docks and on firmer land. He wrapped an arm around my waist as I pulled him toward Palazzo Seta.

"You'll be fine. There is to be a celebration and the wine cellars here are legendary!" I winked as Ezio laughed - both of us were in high spirits from the success of our mission and I allowed the bow to intensify the feeling of victory.

"I'm going home now." I announced from Ezio's lap and the rest of the people gave me a final cheer as I stood up. I looked to Dante but he said he was going to the bordello with some of Antonio's men and I laughed, telling him to have a good time. Ezio walked me outside, holding my hand the entire time. I tried not to think about it too much - he had been touching me an awful lot since he had arrived; though, I wasn't about to complain about it. For some reason, I felt compelled to give him the bow. He looked surprised as I passed it into his hands. "Take it to Leonardo's with you, per favore. I have a strange feeling like something is going to happen tonight." Ezio asked what but I shrugged. "I don't know but take it, just in case." He nodded and put the bow over his shoulder before leaning down and kissing me softly.

"Be careful, il mio tesoro." Ezio said against my lips and I smiled at the sweet nickname before I kissed his cheek.

"Always." I replied over my shoulder as I went towards my home. I had a strange feeling in my gut - though, it may have been from the small amount of wine I had drank earlier. I entered my home through my window and dressed in a nightgown. I collapsed on my bed, exhausted from all the work I had done that night and started to drift to sleep.

I was unable to sleep, though, because I could faintly hear moaning coming from a nearby room. I sat up in my bed and listened closely and I could hear it again. I knew Dante would never bring a woman here and even if he did, he wouldn't be fucking her upstairs. The only other bedroom up here was Luca's and he was not home. I pulled the knife that I kept under my pillow and held it behind my back as I went through the home.

I pushed open his bedroom door and felt disgusted by the sight I was presented with. Isabelle riding Luca - who shouldn't have even been here right now. "What's going on here?" I screamed and both froze before Luca threw Isabelle off of him and scrambled to his feet, not bothering to hide his nudity.

"Maria! It's not what it looks like." I looked at him with an incredulous expression on my face and he backtracked, trying to fix this problem. "Well, it is what it looks like but I tried to wake you up but your room was locked so I called Isabelle."

I ignored his stupidity and stared the boy straight in the eyes. "Are you a Templar, Luca?"

Recognition flashed through his eyes before he covered it and acted confused. "Maria… I don't know what you -"

"My name is Aria." I interrupted and his features faded into confusion and then betrayal. I watched Isabelle frantically put on her dress but I knew she was listening to this conversation. "I will not ask you again, Luca. Are you a Templar?"

"I am." He answered and I shook my head as I gripped the knife behind my back. As I drew it out, Isabelle screamed and Luca looked at the knife in fear. "No, please! Don't kill me!" I began to walk toward him slowly and he panicked, grabbing Isabelle and pulling her in front of him. "No! Take her instead - anything!" Isabelle shrieked at his words but I grabbed her and pushed her away from us.

"Isabelle is unimportant to me. She does not matter."

"You don't have to do this!" Luca pleaded as he fell to his knees.

"I'm sorry but, I do have to do this."

Luca cried and tears streamed down his face, making him look like the little boy that he was, "Why!"

"Because… You are a Templar and I am an Assassin."

"My father will kill you!" Luca screamed, his fear giving way to anger at this new revelation.

I leaned over him and whispered, "Your father is already dead."

Luca stopped crying that instant and looked up at me with shining, hate-filled eyes. "Did you kill him?"

I rolled my eyes, growing tired of this talk. "No, but I supported the one that did." Luca roared out in fury and ran at me but I caught him in the stomach with my blade. His fury subsided and I could see the fear regain in his eyes. His body went limp and I slowly lowered him to the floor and whispered, "Requiescat in Pace."

I stood to deal with Isabelle and cursed when I noticed that she was not in the room anymore. I cursed and went to the door, only to meet face to face with a burly looking guard. I gripped my knife ready to fight as I backed away.

"There she is!" I heard Isabelle's hateful voice as I looked past the guard towards the group pouring into my home through the front door. There was at least thirty men in my home and I looked toward the window for my escape but found a guard sitting on the ledge - it seemed that Templars could climb as well. I wasn't sure how she had gotten so many guards so quickly. Isabelle screamed as she noticed Luca's body laying in a pool of blood. I could see the hatred in her eyes as they met mine and I could tell that she was angry with me but feared me as well. "Guards! Capture her!" I was able to elude most of them but once they all poured into the room, I had no chance. They pinned me on the ground and held me there by my hair as the wrapped up my hands together after ripping my knife away from me.

They forced me to stand by pulling my hair upwards. I complied in silence, not willing to give them the satisfaction to hear my screams. The biggest man that blocked my doorway earlier was holding me tightly so I could not move and Isabelle stood in front of me, looking away from Luca's body pointedly.

"Sorry have taken your lover, Isabelle." I said with a brutal laugh and she closed her eyes as if it hurt her to hear that. She looked over me with her critical eyes before huffing.

"Take her to Borgia."

I sneered at her as the men pulled me past but I closed my eyes once she was out of my sight. Borgia would kill me and I was sure of that - perhaps after having some fun with me. I looked up, hoping to see white robes to calm my mind and free me from these captors but I did not and no help came. I stared at the street as they dragged me along it. Would I live through the week?

A/N: WOAH. Aria is in troubleeee! This was a pretty long chapter - not much Ezio but the plot needed to be told and I thought it came out nicely. Honestly, I cannot wait for Carnevale :) lol Hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Review and let me know what you think so far! I love to hear feedback ; it makes me very happy :D The story is getting a little dark and will be next chapter, especially. So you have been warned!

Translations:

nuora - daughter-in-law.

father in laws - padre nelle leggi.

the bow -I'arco.

Marchese de Ferrara - Marquis of Ferrera.

scusa patetica per un uomo - pathetic excuse for a man.

ladri - thieves.

un tempismo perfetto - perfect timing.

buona fortuna - good luck.

tu pure - you as well.

il mio tesoro - my treasure.

A big thanks to each and every one of you that alerted, followed, (and so on) and a special thanks to the four that reviewed!

AhhMyLife - I'm glad he's back, toooo :3

Tamria Brooks - Aww, you're so sweet! Thanks so much!

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