Assassin's Creed: Destiny of Souls

Chapter 19

Claire stepped into the safe house, her senses immediately drinking in the details. The place was quiet, the kind of silence that held a strange comfort amidst all the tension. The main floor was open and functional, with a muted, industrial feel to it. Dark, practical furnishings filled the space—a low, charcoal couch, a simple coffee table, and a few shelves holding necessities rather than decor. It wasn't extravagant or cozy, just a place to disappear and regroup.

She ran her fingers along the back of the couch, feeling the worn fabric beneath her fingertips. Everything here was subdued, efficient—exactly what she'd expect from a hideout that was meant to be temporary. Across the room, she spotted Paul opening a drawer near the back of the room. He tossed the van keys into it, and as it slid shut, she caught a glimpse of the neatly organized firearms and magazines inside. It wasn't lavish by any means, but the sight reminded her of the readiness her team lived by. This place wasn't meant for comfort; it was a shelter prepared for action.

Nearby, a single workstation was set up with a few monitors, casting a dim glow. The screens showed data feeds and encrypted information, clearly part of the Assassins' makeshift network. Cables snaked across the floor, and the hum of the electronics filled the otherwise silent space. The setup was basic but functional, enough for Paul and Aiden to stay connected and monitor any threats.

She looked up toward the lofted area accessible by a narrow staircase. Four small rooms were lined up above, their doors closed, offering a hint of privacy from the open expanse below. Everything about the space was temporary, unembellished, but it felt like a sanctuary compared to the cold sterility of Abstergo's labs.

Aiden and Paul entered behind her, Aiden's gaze sweeping over the room in quiet assessment. Paul headed toward the workstation, settling in front of the monitors with a practiced ease. This was a place to lay low, regroup, and catch their breath before the next move, and Claire felt a weight lift, however slightly, as she took it all in.

Claire barely had a moment to take in the details before Callum, Moussa, and Lin stepped in behind her. Callum let out a low whistle, his eyes scanning the space with clear appreciation.

"Not bad," he muttered, nodding approvingly as he took in the setup. "Could get used to a place like this." He gave Claire a small, playful nudge. "Beats the accommodations at Abstergo, huh?"

Claire shot him a dry look but couldn't help the faint smile that tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Anything beats Abstergo."

Moussa moved in quietly, his gaze calm but assessing, taking in every corner of the room with the practiced eye of someone accustomed to temporary hideouts. He said nothing, simply giving her a slight nod of approval, a subtle acknowledgment of the safety this place provided. Lin, meanwhile, brushed past them, her gaze drawn to the workbench and monitors, curiosity flashing in her eyes as she absorbed the details of the setup.

"Not much, but it's enough," Aiden said from behind them, his tone practical. He dropped his bag onto the low table, sending a faint echo through the otherwise silent room. "Should keep us off the radar for a bit."

Callum, still lingering near the center of the room, ran his hand along the back of the couch, testing its sturdiness as if they were in a hotel room rather than a safe house. "Feels like the kind of place you could get comfortable in for a while."

"Just don't get too comfortable," Paul muttered from the workstation, his eyes glued to the monitors. "We're here to regroup, not set up camp."

Claire felt a small pang of relief at that reminder. She'd been wary of settling in, even temporarily. This place was a respite, yes, but the underlying reality was clear—she and her team couldn't afford to stay put for long. It was a waypoint, a fleeting sanctuary where they could gather themselves before whatever lay ahead.