Loving an Assassin [Ezio Auditore]

Loving an Assassin [Chapter 4]

Grabbing a rag from my pocket, I wipe the vomit away with a frown. Someone knocks at the door and I assume that one of the servants goes to get it. Suddenly, I hear swords unsheathed and I run downstairs to see my parents dying. My father does not have the ability to speak, only enough energy to slip a letter to me. "But padre-" he waves me away with his hand before collapsing to the ground.

I can only scream in horror. The men responsible look up to me, ready to attack. They chase me to my parents' bedroom, where I slam the door in the faces and lock it. At the foot it their bed is a chest that I was never allowed to look in. "When the time is right, Caterina, when you are ready." I mumble, repeating the words my father said to me so many times.

With no hesitation, I open the chest. Inside: an outfit of blue and white stripes, a dagger, and a bottle of poison. "What? What the hell is this?" I curse as I pull the items out. My dress is unlaced and slides off of my body, being replaced by the tight, flamboyant shirt and pants, completed with black boots.

I cut off the long black hair that my mother coveted; I have no need for it anymore. Tucked gently inside the chest is a white porcelain mask. The face of it is mocking- a smug smile and upturned eyeholes. Almost challenging anyone who looks at it. The mask is tied to my head. Is this what I am to become- a masked vigilante?

Suddenly, the door is broken down and the guards run in. When they attack, I cut them all down. I make my escape from Palazzo Voltaire, taking as many alleys and back roads as I possibly can. Anything to avoid the reinforcements. Then, looking back, I see flames arising from what used to be my house. I sprint back to the burning building and I climb up to the window that used to lead to my room. My small box of money is grabbed before I run to the window.

But, some money from my dowry might still be of use! I sprint down to the family vault and I quickly open it. Despite the many bags, I only grab one, for I really wish to travel light. The smoke becomes too much to handle and I manage to escape before the building collapses. Palazzo Voltaire is gone. The family eliminated, wiped off the map except for me. I saddle up a horse and when the gates open in the morning, I ride out of Firenze.

The nearest villa is Monteriggioni, where I believe some of Ezio's family lives. It might take me a few days to get there, but I should be able to speed up the trip. "It's so hot," I groan. Black spots cloud my vision, but I manage to continue on, stopping in an old barn for rest. I manage to steal some fruit from ah unsuspecting farmer. This continues on for several days until I am caught. After a few more days, I crawl on, malnourished. The villa is not too far away, but I pass out before I can reach safety.