Freedom (Revising/Editing)

Chapter: 60 Hidden Truth

Chapter: 60

Arno's POV: 

Leaning against the wall was the most boring thing that I have ever had to do. My mind was wondering where Madeline was. She should have been back here by now. An uneasy feeling went through me, but I can't think like that. I must stay calm and not go trotting my butt in there to find out what's taking her so long. My patience was thinned and I was pacing. William was scoping out the entryways along with the staircases too. This entirely unsettling. Why the hell did I let her go by herself?

I'm guessing she got herself in trouble. Maybe, injured. I shook my head and refuse to think any further on the subject. If she doesn't appear down here in any second, I'm going after her. William came striding through the crowd and gently push people aside. My feet plant themselves together while folding my arms across my chest. He guided me away from the people and began to speak in a low voice, "She hasn't appeared in any of the entryways that I have checked. Most of all, it is quiet. No one has been alarmed that Madeline is up there looking around."

I let out a sigh of relief, "Thank goodness. Where is she then?"

"I don't know honestly, but I'm sure she'll appear any minute now," William reassured me. 

I nodded my head, feeling the uneasiness twisting the insides of my stomach. Where are you, my love?

*^-*^*-^*

Madeline's POV:

The hallway was quiet as we were walking down the hallway heading back down to the first floor. Julian was right next to me and I couldn't believe that he was here. William told me that Julian was on a secret mission for him. While holding the folder to my chest along with my mother's necklace in my hand, I made an 'hmm' noise and out the corner of my eye. Julian look over at me and asked, "Something on your mind?"

"It is, but are you going to answer?" I asked. 

"Depends on your question, Miss Madeline Wellington." He answered with a smirk.

"Where did William send you?" I asked.

He avoided eye contact with me and it was quiet between us, but then he spoke, "I would answer that, but I am bounded by secrecy and can not say anything." 

"I thought so." I murmured feeling a little disappointed.

"Yeah, William can be a tight ass if he wants too." He spoke giving a small chuckle. 

"Indeed, he can." I agreed while laughing along with him. 

It was silence between us and there was no guards or anything around us. I guess Julian took care of that. I know Arno and William will be wondering where I am. Does William know that Julain is here with us? None of this seems to add up correctly. why would Julian be here without William knowing about it, but is it because he got done earlier with his private mission? Hm, I don't know. He can't tell me anything about his mission anyway. 

We came to the doorway that will lead down into the ballroom and Julian grabbed my arm before I could descend down the stairs. I was surprised by his sudden gesture and looked up at him. He took a hold of my arms and spoke softly, "I can't follow you down. I came here by myself without letting William know that I am here, but I do want to say this while we are by ourselves here." 

I titled my head to the side, "What is it, Julian?" 

He looks away from me while taking a deep breath and looks back at me, "I have never once told you this, but I am glad to have met you. Thomas was a complete idiot and all I ever saw in you was a loyal person in the order, but I guess our pathways can become separate. I realized that after you had left us and saw the side of Thomas. I still hate him for taking away Alexandre." 

"Julian-" I began to speak, but he holds up his finger.

"Let me finished, please. All I want is for you to know that I am on your side. Always have been. I didn't want to face you in battle because of what we were before and that's why I had decided to join the assassins." He gave me a smile, "I am glad for the second chance that the Assassin's have given me. And while I am at it. You do look beautiful, Madeline." He spoke gazing at me with those soft dark brown eyes of his. 

A smile spread across my lips, "Thank you, Julian." 

He nodded his head before walking down the hallway and disappearing around the corner. A soft smile graced my lips and it was nice to know that he was on my side even we were Templars. It's nice to know that people can be given second chances. He was furious at Thomas for what he had done to Alexandre and I know that we were not proud of who we were. I took a deep breath before making my way down the stairs and enter the ballroom once again. My eyes move around the room and there was still dancers moving around.

I slipped into a crowd that was close to the staircase and made my way over to the entrance. It made me wonder where Arno and William are. I'm sure they are mingling and staying out of sight, but I don't see them at all. I took a deep breath before walking through the crowds. Where are those two? I have got the items that we need, but I have no clue where they are at. Did I already past them and didn't realize that I did? No, that couldn't be right. They would have instantly seen me. 

My feet guided me over to the entrance and decided that I would wait there. I almost got to the entrance when someone places their hands on my hips. My breath hitch in my throat as I was afraid that it was one of the Templars. A familiar voice whispered in my ear, "Relax. It's me." 

I took a deep breath and look over my shoulder to see Arno there, smiling at me. "Couldn't you have shown yourself instead of scaring me?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." He chuckled and gently guided me over to the door.

"I have found what we need and I also have found this," I spoke to him and held up the necklace that was my mothers.

"Is that your mother's necklace?" He asked.

I nodded my head and he gently took it from me, "Turn around."

A smile spread across my lips and I did as I was told. I turn around and waited for him to put my necklace on. Once it was clipped, I turn around and look down at it. It was a little unfamiliar to wear a necklace, but I was happy that it was back around my neck. I softly spoke, "Thank you, Arno."

He leans in and places his lips on mine and we pause there while enjoying our lips against each other. A smile spread across my lips as he spoke, "You're most welcome, Madeline."

"I swear you two are going to attracted unwanted guest." William came out of nowhere with a scoff.

Arno and I share a look with each other before looking over at William. I spoke while showing him the folder in my arms, "I have all of the information on all of the Templars. My mother had kept them in her old office."

William and Arno gave a confused look, "What do you mean?"

"I will explain later, but for right now, can we leave?" I asked while holding up my hand.

"Very well." William nodded before gesturing for me to walk over to the entrance. 

I nodded my head before walking over to the entrance and exit the building. It was a relief to get away from all those old memories that came flooding through my mind. Arno and William slowly trailed behind me. We were safe and that's all that matters to me. I was lucky when Julian came around. I would have surely gotten caught by the guards and it wouldn't have been very pleasant at all. A shiver went down my back as all three us boarded a carriage to head back to the bureau. 

*^-^-^*

It was a long ride back, but small talk was made between us three. We also discussed the documents that I had found. Arno and William were certainly impressed by how much my mother had recorded on paper. She was very smart for a woman among the Templars. I imagine that Nickolas didn't even know she was doing this sort of thing. We arrive back at the bureau and made our way inside. We climb up the stairs and down the long hallway while heading to Arno's office to discuss these papers even more.

Julian was already waiting for us when we have walked through the office door. He was nearly half asleep on the sofa but instantly jump to his feet. He was unsteady, but with the help of William. He managed to stand before us. Arno shot me an amuse expression and I gave him a warning before he said anything. I guess all of us are presented.