Disclaimer: I don't own any part of Assassin's Creed or anything associated with the series. I do, however, own Evelina, Adriano, Lucio, and any other characters you don't recognize from the series.

Author Notes: I know I said my writing would be off and on but this is ridiculous. I'm sorry it took so long. I've had some summer projects, I'm moving, and other more personal things are going on. Sounds like a load of BS, I know. But I swear, I haven't taken this long for nothing.

I hope you enjoy this chapter. The twist is coming! I promise!

I Venti Della Notte

They rode through the heavy mist of the night, dampening their clothes and hair. The loose strands that found their way out of Evelina's braid stuck to her cheeks, as if they were covered in honey. But honey was sweet. This was just irritating.

More cries flooded the ears of the Assassins as they rode through the village. Signore Auditore made sure to quicken the horse's pace when the screams became too loud and near. Children's voices twisted themselves into Evelina's ears until they were tangled, engraved into her memory. She knew she would never forget those calls for help, those desperate voices.

Through the pastures they rode. The silence was almost comforting. Almost. The eerie ringing of the voices in her ears still echoed throughout the fields, but when she glanced at the other riders, she knew they were oblivious. They were immersed in deep thought. About their destination, their journey, the plans of the attack, or some other more important matter than the cries of the walking dead. More important. But is that not who they were fighting for? The ones they left behind? Nothing made sense anymore. Templars who aren't Templars, Assassins who fight for people they themselves ride past… it was all pure chaos. And no one seemed to notice.

They just kept riding, swiftly parting the cool breeze but never breaking the echoes of the children. Evelina sighed, slowing her horse to keep pace with the other Assassins. As she rode, she gazed at the clear night sky, wondering if there was a God and if he ever cared, if he ever knew or ever thought of the troubles of humanity. If somewhere in the stars someone was watching them, shedding tears for all the injustice or perhaps wearing a frown of disapproval. Or if no one was watching them at all.
And they were all alone.

He was all alone. His feet dangled over the side of the dock as his boots swung and splashed little spurts of water into the air. Insects flew around the dock light, desperate for more. Little did they know the consequences of getting too close. But, like Adriano, they would never learn. They wanted the light. Bad enough to burn themselves alive to get it.

Despite the minor entertainment the insects provided, Adriano found the starlit sky much more fascinating. He knew nothing of the constellations or the planets, it was never important before. The night was merely cover for an attack, not a picturesque scene of an azure canvas speckled with mysteriously sparkling lights. Nothing was beauty, everything was war.

Adriano stood from the dock, dusting off his cotton trousers. He was free now, but he had to do something. He could not just let the Assassins slip into the line of fire. There was a chance that he could help. But he had to talk to Evelina.

What a sour treat that would be. Knocked down again by the ever so untuned strings of the heart. However, Adriano knew that she was the only Assassin who would listen to him- other than Claudia, of course. But even Claudia could not convince the entirety of the Assassins to trust him, or even listen to him. It had to be Evelina. She was second in command.
And the second person to know of his survival.

Adriano stepped away from the docks near the Tiber river and turned to start his journey back to the Thieves Guild.

"Evelina." She jolted herself out of the daze. "We're here." Her father's voice was quiet and smooth, as if not to wake the sun. Evelina gave a slight nod and hurried her horse into the stables. She was tired of this nonsense. So much to think about.
The horse was tied; she kissed her goodbye, and stepped up to the Thieves Guild. The steps creaked as she climbed her way to the door. Her legs felt as though they'd give out at any moment. It appeared that her journey had been more exhausting than anticipated. Or maybe it was just in her head, like everything else.

Collapsing into a chair at the back of the inn's tavern, she noticed a familiar face sitting not too far away, playing a game of Hazard and apparently losing.

"Cazzo! You do not play fair!" Lucio shouted, slamming his fist on the table.

The Thieves laughed. "Tell that to the dice, mi amico!" one Thief coughed out, patting him on the back, cackling with laughter. Lucio chuckled and threw his florins at the Thief on the other side of the table.

Lucio glanced up at Evelina. "Hey! Evelina! Mia bella!" His arms were held out in greeting. "Help me win my life back!"

The young Assassin couldn't help but grin. He had really become a part of the Brotherhood. With her training, he was now just as deadly as the recruits, only faster and more acrobatic. Her father was reluctant to invite him in, at first, but after seeing the skill he brought and after Evelina begging her heart out, he let Lucio join the Brotherhood as a low ranking recruit. He slowly became the best and moved up in the ranks, with Evelina's guidance, of course.

Through the long days of training, she had grown quite fond of his childish jests and amusing ignorance. He too, it seemed, had grown accustomed to her sarcastic remarks and strong presence. A friendship had blossomed from the ashes of the deceased… or what was thought to be deceased. Lucio still did not know. And Evelina intended to keep it that way.

Evelina stood up from the table. "That life already belongs to me and you know it."

The Thieves cracked up, giving him hearty slaps on the back.

Lucio looked up at the looming figure over him. "Per favore? I'll buy you a drink!"

"With what?" the Thief holding his money jested.

"Her money?" another said, holding his empty mug upside down sadly. Evelina tossed the Thief a couple florins.
"Evelina!" Lucio shouted through the others' bellowing laughter. "What's wrong with you?"

The Assassin smirked. "Win the florins from him." She turned to the Thief with her money. "You'd better not buy another mug with that."

He grumbled but obeyed and set the money on the table. "The main is 7." The man rolled the dice over to Lucio who looked at them with contempt.

Evelina leaned over and whispered in his ear. "Hold them in your right hand. Tight fist." He did as she commanded. "Now shake ever so slightly…now let them slip off your two first fingers." Lucio followed through and the dice slid off his index and middle. They fell onto the table and bounced along the surface. One landed with a five. Evelina saw Lucio clench his fists and bite his lip. She just waited. It rolled along the wood until it ended its journey.

Six.

"Si! Evelina!" Lucio hugged her tightly, then quickly gathered the florins in his shirt. "You are a beautiful person! Don't let anyone tell you different!"

He began to ascend the stairs when Evelina paced to the bottom. She coughed loudly, causing the new recruit to spin around. His face was full of delight.

"You owe me a drink, Lucio."

His face dropped.

"I only jest, amico."

A deep sigh escaped the young man. "I can never tell when you're serious."

Evelina began to climb the steps. "Whenever you haven't the mind to realize it." She cast a glance his way as she passed him on the stairs. "Get some sleep. We will need your help tomorrow."

"With what?"

"Saving the world, of course." The Assassin continued up the stairs. "We leave tomorrow for Il Vaticano."

Frazzled, he called, "You're joking again! …Aren't you?"

Evelina let one last smile cross her lips before slipping into her sleeping quarters.

Lucio, to her misfortune, was right behind her. "Why are we going there?" He was like an eager child.

"Rescuing the Pope, helping people, hunting Templars… you've been with us long enough to know the drill. You'll be helping to fight off the soldiers. My father and the others will be in the passetto underground. You know the one."

He nodded. "I do." Looking around the room, he realized where he was. Evelina raised an eyebrow. "Oh… I'm sorry to disturb you… merda." Lucio made his way out the door, shutting it behind him. Evelina listened for his footsteps slowly creeping down the hall. A slight bump of his door shutting could be heard faintly in Evelina's ears.
She walked to her window. It was open. It had been open every night since the day she saved Lucio, and apparently Adriano. She had debated closing it, especially after finding out the truth about Adriano, but decided to leave things as they were. Evelina was not one to leave someone's dying wishes unfulfilled. Even if he was alive, his last request, were he to die, was this and nothing more. So she granted the wish.

Kneeling down, she rested her arms on the window sill and her head in her arms. The cool breeze calmed her head and seemed to caress her warm cheeks with some sort of healing power that the wind carried. She lifted her head and gazed at the stars, glimmering in the night sky. Bliss surrounded her like a thoughtless cloud, shielding her from the outside world, where everything was bloodlust. For once, she was at peace.

He stood beneath her window, unsure of what to say. He could hear her presence from above but could not bring himself to disturb her. But he had to. He simply had to.
"Evelina!" Adriano whispered sharply from below. He heard her shifting from above. He prayed she was not shifting to fetch her throwing knives… again. He whispered again. "Evelina! I must speak with you! Per favore!"

She appeared, head hanging out the window, gazing down at him almost in a daze. "I don't know what you want, but you shouldn't be here if you want to live."

Her warning was nearly comforting. "I wouldn't be here if I felt I did not have a reason," he admitted.

Evelina sighed. "Then be out with it before the others wake!"

Adriano stepped closer to the window. "I wish to help you and the other Assassins. I feel lost within a war without a side. I now know which is wrong and which is right. I beg of you, you saved Lucio's life, you left your window open as I asked… I ask but one more favor. And this favor is much more a favor to you than I. I do not wish to see Il Vaticano in ruin. Tomorrow, I wish to assist you in fighting the army."

Adriano's heart was pounding; he could've sworn it had already burst from his chest. He watched in a mutual silence and Evelina focused on the stars. He too looked up, waiting for a sign, a motion of guidance. But the canvas was still.

"I cannot let you fight by my side." His heart sank into his stomach. "We cannot afford betrayal."

Adriano gazed into her eyes and saw doubt within her, not contempt. "That is not why you do not wish me to be there." Her head jolted upright. "Please, Evelina, tell me the truth."

She bit her lip and glanced off in different directions, finally landing her eyes on the man standing below her window, risking his life to save the people of the Vatican and the Assassins. Maybe she had realized…?
Her face was suddenly draped in sorrow. "I'm sorry, Adriano. But you must not be found alive. I do not wish you dead. Not now, not anymore, not yet." Adriano stood transfixed by her words. She was not concerned with trust; that seemed not to be the issue. Evelina wished to protect him.

Adriano nodded. "I understand. I wish you luck tomorrow, then."

He thought he saw a faint smile on her lips. "It is never a matter of luck, Adriano."

"Of course," he laughed. "Buona Notte, Evelina. Sleep well."

"Buona Notte, Adriano." Her voice wisped through the air as she left the window sill to return to her room. The candle was blown out and Adriano was left in the dark.

Cazzo - Fuck

(The rest should be common knowledge by now)