Time passes slowly, almost as if it came to a complete stop. The closet becomes hot and stuffy, but Speranza and Ezio don't dare move from the spot. They can hear the house wake up as servants walk by, rattling the doors slightly. Ezio's heart races and it's like he can hear Speranza's doing the same. Their breaths come out short and quiet, their bodies tense as they continue to wait, their chests close to one another but not touching.

Soon, the sound of heavy footsteps goes down the hall, and Tarso's voice emanates across the whole house.

"...and after I slit her throat, I'll mount her head on a stake!" he bellows.

The men burst into hearty laughter, and Ezio notices her body tense.

"Those Chilometris thought they were safe! Look at them now! They're all dead, save for that cagna...Speranza."

Speranza hisses in anger. Ezio's hand reaches out and touches her arm soothingly. She looks up at him, her eyes blazing with hatred and revenge. Deep within them, however, is pain and an unbearable sadness. That's the thing about her; she can hide all of her softer emotions behind the wall of harder feelings. Her walls stay up, taking the kicks and punches and damage, but they crumble over time until they finally collapse into a pile of rubble and dust.

The life of an assassin is never easy, but hers must be one of the hardest.

Selene opens the door suddenly, her eyes wide.

"You can get him when he's preparing for his bath," she whispers, her voice urgent.

"We are going to kill a naked man?" Speranza asks, brushing herself off and composing her countenance as she looks down the silent hallway.

"Um...no. Just an...un-armoured man."

"Good. The sooner this is done, the better," Ezio says.

"Follow me. The bathing chamber is down here. When I wink, run in and dispose of him."

They follow Selene silently. Speranza becomes wary of the empty corridors they walk through, her nerves on end.

"Where are the other servants?" she asks.

"It is our supper time, mia signora," Selene answers. "They are all in the kitchens."

They reach a large door, exquisitely carved with pictures of horses and maidens and fearsome battles. Ezio's eyes travel over the artistry as Selene knocks on the door softly.

"Signore Capitani? Is your bath satisfactory?" she asks in a courteous manner.

A gruff voice answers from the other side.

"I require your assistance. Enter, schiavo." Selene hesitates, and his voice comes through the door again, "I am quite clothed."

Selene sighs with relief and pushes open the door, giving a quick glance to the two assassins and winking before disappearing into the room.

Before they can react, there's a shrill squeal of surprise.

Ezio and Speranza rush into the room to see Selene being held by a guard, sword at her throat. A few other guards point their weapons at the pair, and Tarso strolls to the front of the pack, a hideous grin eradicating his even uglier face.

"Speranza Chilometri...travelling with company now?" he asks, licking his lips slowly. "A new love interest? I would have thought you'd given up on love after...what was his name? Oh yes...Piero."

Speranza says nothing, her hands only clench into fists, the veins on her neck pulsing with held back rage. Ezio poises, ready to attack.

"You were always a weak one. No spine, no guts, a complete failure to assassins everywhere," Tarso continues. "Your father was like that too."

"If you wish to live any longer, I advise you shut your filthy mouth, bastardo," she hisses, preparing to unleash her hidden blades.

"You are in no position to be threatening me, cagna! I have you outnumbered, plus I have some...leverage." He drags a finger across Selene's jaw, and she whimpers as tears stream down her pale face. "You can't handle it."

"Don't tell me what I can handle!" Speranza yells, making everyone fall silent. "You don't know what I can handle. Most of the hardships in my life have been caused by you, which is why I've spent all these years hunting you down. You can't run anymore, and you can't hide. I came here with one thing in mind, and now, I will fulfill that quest and avenge my family. You've earned what I will give you."

There's a flash of movement, her body moving like lightning. Tarso's eyes widen. His mouth falls open in a strangled choke and he gasps as Speranza pulls her hidden blade from his chest.

Ezio can't stop himself from looking dumbstruck. She moved like lightning. You blink and you miss her. One second she was next to him, the next she had leapt forward and sunk her blade into her enemy's heart.

In the next moment, two hidden blades find two more targets and the guards holding Selene drop like stones, choking as the life is leeched from their bodies.

Ezio reacts instantly as the other two guards attack him, blades flashing. They collapse into a pathetic little heap. Ezio helps Selene to her feet, her trembling body hardly able to remain standing.

The two watch as Speranza kneels next to Tarso, whose breaths are becoming more and more laboured by the second.

"How?" he chokes out. "I worked to wipe out your line...you were weak. I was prepared to kill you right here, and yet you bested me."

"Life happened, Tarso. I did not sit idly by and let the unjust deaths of my family go unpunished. You have served your purpose on this planet," she says, her voice dangerously quiet.

Tarso's body goes limp as the last inch of life leaves his body. Speranza stares down at his fallen form.

"Requiescat in pace," she murmurs, closing his eyes.

"Oh my god. You killed them all," Selene gasps, her eyes wide.

"Speranza?" Ezio moves towards her, cautiously.

It was in that moment that the walls crumbled and the tears started flowing freely down her face.

Cagna: Bitch

Schiavo: Slave

Bastardo: Bastard

Requiescat in pace: Rest in peace