Hidden in the Shadows(Ezio Auditore )

Running out of time

   *Madeleine POV*

     I ran into Palazzo Auditore as fast as I could, my head aching and my limbs sore, but I couldn't stop. I needed to get to Adelina and speak to her before anything happened I just hoped I wasnt to late. I had ran directly to her room only to find Maria, Giovanni, Juliet, Milo, some strange man, Federico and Ezio all in there. Both Ezio and Federico tore the room apart as they looked around frantically. I accidentally tripped and fell into the door causing everyone to look up, Greta's eyes widening with worry as she walked over to me and reached out, her hand touching the cut on the side of my face.

     "Mein gott, Madeleine what happened to you?" Greta asked in concern. I shook my head as I held myself up, Milo looking at me with concern.

     "I'm fine, where is Adelina? I need to tell her something, its very urgent" I said. Giovanni looked at me.

     "Tell us"

     "Adelina's in danger" I started as all eyes had been on me though Ezio and Federico didn't stop looking "Alaric is-,"

     "Dead" Greta said as her face went stern but there was sadness in her eyes. How did she know? "Francesco showed up at Adelina's wedding holding his head in his hands"

     "Where is she now?" I asked. That news hit me hard and I knew Adelina would be furious. She loved her father and if Francesco did that she would already be after his ass for blood. None of this was good and I began to worry.

     "Palazzo della Signoria" Giovanni answered as I looked up at him in shock. What was Adelina doing in a prison? None of this made any sense "Francesco arrested her under the accusations of attempted murder of Cardinal Ludwig Weisenbach. She went with him willingly, if we do not find evidence of her having nothing to do with this she will be hung at noon today"

     "Like hell I'll let that happen" Ezio growled as he slammed open a drawer. Oh no, Anja's plan had been working. I was almost too late.

      "What did Adelina do with the letters she and Alaric sent to one another?" Juliet asked.

     "She burned them" I answered as I looked up at her "she didn't want anything found or left behind so as soon as she got them she burned them immediately"

     "Then how did Francesco find out about Adelina and Alaric's relationship?"

      "Our rite was betrayed," I started as I looked up at Greta "Adelina is Grandmaster now, Anja betrayed us, she is Weisnbach's mistress- the one we've been looking for. She gave Francesco and Ludwig the information they needed. I tried to kill her but she got away after shoving me into a table. She must have thought I was dead because she was gone when I woke up. She was looking for a letter when I arrived and saw Alaric.... We need to get Adelina out now. Shes needed more then ever and the others are about to reach out to her for her leadership"

     "Gott verdammt" Greta growled angrily "I knew she was up to something. The moment she showed up with Alaric I knew. She will not kill my neice"

     "She said she wouldn't miss Adelina's execution so their is a chance she'll be here"

     "Ok, but right now we need to figure out how to stop Adelina from being found guilty. You said it yourself she burned all the letters she received and Alaric did the same. What do we do now?" Maria asked. I looked up just as I heard a drawer slam and I looked up to see a very upset Federico- though nothing could compete with how hurt and pissed off Ezio had been-as he looked at his father.

     "Then we break her out of prison" Federico said "we have to do something"

     "We can't just break her out" Giovanni started as he sighed and shook his head, looking up at his eldest son "if we do they will think she is guilty of this"