Souls Through Time (EzioxOC/DesmondxOC)

Chapter 31 - Amelia

The next morning, Amelia and Ezio awoke to a messenger from La Volpe. He had called on them to join him at the thieves' guild headquarters—a bustling inn on the edge of Rome's more shaded districts. By the fifth day, Amelia's shoulder had healed well enough for her to handle a weapon with confidence, and they were eager to return to the mission. The inn was lively, full of patrons who were a little too deep into their cups even at this early hour. The air was thick with the scent of spiced wine and smoke, and laughter and shouts echoed off the walls.

Inside the dimly lit thieves' guild headquarters, the air was thick with the scents of ale and roasted meat, laughter and shouts echoing through the crowded room. Amidst the lively chaos, Ezio and Amelia spotted La Volpe seated at a back table, a figure of calm amidst the swirling energy of the inn. La Volpe's sly smile cut through the dim light as he raised a hand in greeting, his eyes gleaming with the mischievous glint of someone who thrived in the shadows.

"Buongiorno, Ezio," he called, his voice carrying over the din. There was warmth in his tone, but beneath it lay a layer of tension, a sign that this meeting held more than casual conversation.

Ezio returned the gesture, his sharp gaze not missing the slight tension in La Volpe's posture. He slid into a seat across from him, with Amelia settling in beside him, her senses alert. "It is time to pay a visit to Lucrezia's lover, Pietro."

La Volpe's nod was brief, his smile fading as he leaned forward, folding his hands on the table. "I have sent my men out to find him," he said, the gravity in his voice echoing the urgency of the task at hand.

"Molto bene," Ezio replied, his expression one of quiet approval. He understood the weight of the mission, the importance of reaching Pietro before the Borgia could use him to their advantage.

La Volpe glanced around, his eyes scanning the room to ensure their conversation was private. He lowered his voice, his usual confidence tinged with a hint of caution. "Ezio. If I may..."

Ezio's brows knitted, sensing the hesitation. "What is it?" he asked, his tone steady but laced with curiosity.

La Volpe paused, choosing his words with care. "Someone warned Rodrigo to stay away from the Castello," he said slowly, each word carrying the weight of potential betrayal.

Ezio's expression remained calm, but a shadow of wariness flickered in his eyes. "Machiavelli?" he asked, his voice low, as if testing the accusation. "Do you have any proof?"

Frustration crossed La Volpe's face as he shook his head, a hint of resignation in his gaze. "No," he replied, his voice bitter. The lack of proof gnawed at him, feeding a doubt that he couldn't entirely banish. La Volpe's eyes were sharp with suspicion, but he looked to Ezio, hoping for clarity.

Ezio's gaze remained unwavering, his voice steady. "We must not be split apart by mere suspicion," he said firmly, his tone carrying a warning. He knew the stakes, understood the value of unity, and the consequences of fractured trust. As he spoke, his resolve was clear—there would be no space for unfounded doubts to tear them apart.

At that moment, Petruccio strode into the courtyard, his normally composed face creased with urgency. His voice was strained, barely containing his alarm. "The Borgia know the location of our spies!"

La Volpe's back straightened, his tone sharp as he cut through the tension. "Who told them?" he demanded, his eyes narrowing.

Petruccio hesitated, his gaze flickering to Ezio, a note of reluctance in his voice. "Maestro Machiavelli asked about our search for Pietro earlier today."

The words hung heavily in the air, the weight of the accusation pressing down on them. La Volpe's gaze shifted to Ezio, doubt deepening in his eyes as he studied his companion. "Ezio?" he murmured, searching for an answer, a reassurance that might dissolve the gnawing mistrust building between them.