AC Syndicate: Isolated Files [OS]

You and Me

Short story inspired by a sequence from The Vampire Diaries. Happy reading! (Drawing by myself)

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At the heart of the Season, the biggest names gathered for yet another ball, where the debutantes continued to prove themselves and meet their suitors. On an undercover mission, Victoria Reid and her partner Thomas Cameron were sent by Jacob and Evie Frye. It was an opportunity for the two Assassins still in training to apply what they had learned. They had trained long and hard to be able to go unnoticed at the ball during the dances. But fortunately, their complicity — and their love — helped speed up the rehearsals.

Today, on the evening of the execution of the mission, Victoria was alone in the car taking her to the manor house where the ball would be held: at the home of Sophie March — who was an ally of the Brotherhood. Thomas was supposed to be with his partner, something he had promised in the morning before leaving each other for the rest of the day. But he wasn't there when the carriage arrived. So she spent her time nervously playing with her fingers, staring blankly out of the window at the buildings. The light from the streetlamps passed over her neutral face, her eyes wide open.

She was so lost in thought and anxiety that she didn't notice when the carriage stopped. She was startled when she saw and heard the door open. The coachman held out his hand to help her out. Although she could easily have done without it, she took the man's hand and left the car. She thanked him and looked around for her lover. But she couldn't see him anywhere. Anxiety invaded her a little more. Her lips mimicked her question.

– Where the hell are you, Thomas?

A man called to the brunette in her midnight blue ball gown. She flinched and turned towards him. She wished it had been the blonde's, but unfortunately it was only one of Miss March's servants. She moved towards him and took the invitation out of her reticule. She pointed out that her companion might be inside, or would be arriving any minute. The man looked wary. He was about to refuse the invitation but Miss March intervened.

– Leave it, Winston. Miss Reid is a close friend of mine. She can come alone or accompanied.

– Yes, ma'am.

Victoria breathed a sigh of relief. It was a good thing the lady of the house was here. She winked at her when she saw the recognition in the Assassin's eyes.

– Your dear fiancé came early, he's waiting for you inside," she said.

Sophie was smiling, but she wasn't at ease. Thomas had arrived some time before, but had quickly disappeared. Uneasy, Victoria crossed the corridors before joining the other guests, who were smiling and carrying on with their discussions. But not far from her she heard:

– Ah, Mr Cameron's fiancée is here at last! I hope she finds him before the end of the evening.

Then some sniggering could be heard. The undercover woman's throat tightened. She felt rather humiliated by this remark. Then she shook her head briefly, her eyes closed. In a low voice, she reminded herself:

– Don't let your feelings compromise the mission... Pull yourself together, Vic.

After taking a deep breath, she mingled with the crowd. She still had to find the young bourgeois who had asked the Assassins for help. If Victoria got close to him, she could find the target to neutralise shortly after identifying him.

Meanwhile, back at the train, Jacob was pacing back and forth in the bar car, running his hands through his hair. The Rooks, who were sitting around playing cards and betting on the next round of beer, noticed their boss's behaviour. One of them remarked: