Souls Through Time (EzioxOC/DesmondxOC)

Chapter 8 - Amelia

Back at the harem, the air was thick with the scent of incense, sweet and smoky, mingling with the gentle murmur of voices that drifted through the dimly lit halls. It was a world apart from the chaos of the city outside, a place that seemed to exist in the quiet spaces between shadows. Amelia could feel the tension in her shoulders ease slightly as she stepped through the doorway, but her mind remained sharp, thoughts turning over the events of the day.

Paola stood with her arms crossed, her posture relaxed but her eyes sharp as she waited by the entrance. The lantern light cast a golden glow over her face, highlighting the knowing smile that played at her lips as she watched Ezio and Amelia approach. It was the look of someone who had seen much, who could read the unspoken burdens written in the lines of their faces.

"You were gone for quite a while," Paola remarked, her voice low and teasing, but her gaze lingered on the weariness etched into Ezio's expression and the tension that still lingered in Amelia's stance.

"Leonardo likes to talk," Ezio replied with a tired sigh, a faint, wry smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"That he does," Paola agreed, a smirk dancing in her eyes. "But I trust you did more than talk?" She gestured toward the blade now strapped to Ezio's wrist, the hidden blade Leonardo had crafted, glinting subtly in the firelight. Ezio held up his arm, the blade catching the light as it extended with a soft click, revealing the fine craftsmanship.

Paola's expression shifted, her smile fading into something more serious as she studied the weapon, and then the young man who wielded it. There was approval in her gaze, but also a measure of caution. "I've given you the skills. Leonardo's given you the blade. All that remains is the deed." Her voice held a weight that pressed against the small space, a reminder that the true test was yet to come.

Amelia stood quietly beside them, watching the exchange unfold. She could see the determination burning in Ezio's eyes, the same stubborn resolve that had driven him since the night his world had shattered. But beneath that determination, she saw the grief that clung to him like a shadow, the pain that fueled his every step. She knew that feeling too well—how it could drive you forward even as it threatened to consume you from within.

"Where can I find Uberto?" Ezio's voice cut through the air, edged with cold, sharp purpose. The softness that had momentarily touched his features faded, replaced by the hard lines of his anger.

Paola's gaze flicked briefly to Amelia before she answered, as if seeking her silent agreement. "According to my girls, he'll be attending an unveiling tonight of Verrocchio's latest work." She paused, weighing her words. "It will be held at the Santa Croce cloister."

Amelia felt a frown tug at her brow, her mind already turning over the possible dangers of such a public setting. Her instincts warned her of the risks, of the many eyes and ears that would be present at the gathering. But she knew there was no point in voicing those concerns now. Nothing would deter Ezio; his focus was fixed, like an arrow drawn tight on the bowstring, aimed directly at Uberto.

"Thank you for taking in my family," Ezio added, a hint of genuine gratitude softening his voice for a moment.

"Of course, Ezio. As if they were my own," Paola replied, her tone gentler, yet unyielding, a promise that she would keep them safe.

Amelia shifted her weight, glancing toward the stairs that led to the upper rooms of the safe house. Her thoughts turned to the conversation she knew she needed to have, one that had been pressing at the edges of her mind since they returned. She placed a hand on Ezio's arm, drawing his attention.

"Ezio, I am going to speak with your father before we go. You should check on your mother." Her voice was calm, but her gaze held a seriousness that brooked no argument. Ezio nodded, casting her a brief, questioning look, but he didn't press further. With a final nod to Paola, he turned to head upstairs.