Title: Assassins Creed:Masyaf
Author: Bj Jones
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Callum spends time in Masyaf to heal, and learns more about his Mate and brother.
Sylum Timeline: 2017-2018 into 2020
Author’s Note: This is the sequel to Assassin’s Creed – should read that first. Also, you will be introduced to two characters in here (Matt & Richard) who are not in the Wiki because their story will debut next year.
They had been at Masyaf for three months, when Callum started noticing something was distracting Aguilar.
Altaïr and Dastan hadn’t let up on the training since they got there, and in those few months, the two were fitter than they had ever been. Though the conversation they had with Dastan when first arrived had been awkward at best, downright annoying at worst.
The two sat in front of Dastan’s desk, like kids being dragged in front of the Head School Master. He leaned back in his seat, hands folded over his chest, as he stared them down.
They stared back, neither were easily intimidated.
‘Why for the love of the gods did you not tell me, us … we’re part of your family.’ Dastan shifted until he had his hands clasped in front of him on the desk.
‘Do we really need to answer that?’ Aguilar gave him a ‘are you kidding me’ look. ‘The number of times everyone in this facility tried to separate us for our own good. When I was recovering from Cormac, and kept asking for Callum, all of you basically told me to ‘put my big girl pants on’ and to stop whining about not having my brother around.’
Callum looked at his Mate then at Dastan. ‘What the fuck!?’
‘It wasn’t quite like that.’
‘Then what was it like!’ Aguilar snarled, not quite sure where the anger was coming from, but it was obvious he had been holding that particular emotion back for a while. ‘I was recovering from some serious injuries and had reset to default. Even without Callum being my Mate, my instincts wanted my brother, my twin. I didn’t feel safe until I saw him, and everyone here thought it was best if I just dealt with it.’
‘Growing up, yes I thought you were too close.’ Dastan wasn’t going to lie, it was pointless. ‘You were a formidable team but needed to learn to fight and work outside the other. You were also human, and it was expected that both of you would marry and have kids. I figured it best to make sure you could function without the other, maybe I did it the wrong way, but a lot has changed since the 15th Century.’ He held his hand up to stop them from saying anything. ‘When you both came back as Vampires, I still separated you, because my fear was that a Mate would appear, and it would be difficult for the other to deal with it. I had no idea you two were Mates, if I had I would’ve tossed all my concerns out the door.’
He paused for a moment, then focused on Aguilar. ‘I am sorry for how you were treated during your recovery. There are those here at Masyaf and within the Assassin Order that aren’t all Vampires, and don’t always understand the connections of souls. There are times that prejudices crop up. As brothers you two were close, as twins even closer, and some saw that as wrong. I … ‘ he sat back in his seat with a sigh, ‘I should’ve let Tamina rip people’s throats out, but I tried to keep the peace, and I did it wrong. The fact you wouldn’t come out of your twinspeak until you saw Callum was a really big sign that you two were Mates, and I was a moron for not seeing it. You two have my apologies as a Mated pair, and as individuals.’
‘Thank you.’ Aguilar took the apologize for what it was, knowing it was sincere.
‘On that note.’ He gave the two an evil smirk. ‘Now that we know your Mates, your training is going to be more intense. Both of you need some attention as an individual, specifically Leap of Faith for you Callum.’
‘I’m still a potato farmer, I prefer the ground much like Maximus, but I can’t hesitate, and I did. If it was a real Leap of Faith, I would’ve damaged a hell of a lot more than my ego.’ Callum knew he needed to focus on that aspect of his training. ‘I’m not going to go leaping off Cathedrals with glee like certain insane people.’ He gave his brother a side-eye, who was grinning. ‘But if I have to, I need to just do it.’
‘Well, that’s good, because Altaïr is right behind you and he’s going to toss you off a cliff.’ Dastan chuckled at Callum’s wide eyes, as he was dragged out of his seat. He focused on Aguilar. ‘And as for you …’
‘Ezio is behind me, isn’t he?’
‘Yes.’
Aguilar sighed then dove out of his chair just as the throwing knife flew past his head and settled into the wall behind Dastan, who yelled at Ezio about destroying his office. It was enough distraction that Aguilar stood, used the desk as leverage, and was out the window … Ezio right behind him.
What no one mentioned was the fact Dastan’s office was on the top of the highest towers.
Most of the time they would collapse into bed exhausted, curled up with each other to sleep. They enjoyed the quiet mornings, as dawn rose over the mountains content to be with each other.
Callum had been thankful for the black workout clothes that had been provided, when he wasn’t wearing his softer linens that went under his gear. Tamina had taken to finding the most hideous colorful sleep pants, he adored each and every one of them.
They had been there for six weeks, when Aguilar had taken him out to the back gardens of the Citadel and handed him the small hard drive. Callum held it in his hands, staring at the object for a few moments, before giving his Mate a mischievous smile and tossed it off the cliff.
Halfway down, a flame of fire came out of the cliff face, destroying it completely.
Callum leaned over the edge, “Thank You!”
Drogo snorted in response.
Despite the heavy training, including runs up and down the Citadel, rides out to the outpost and back, with added surprise attacks, climbing the variety of buildings and jumping off them, it didn’t take long to notice that during down times, Aguilar was distracted. Recently, he had started taking his laptop, and scurrying off to the library to do some work.
Callum put up with it for about a week, then decided to hunt down his wayward Mate and demanded to know what was so important that he hid himself away. If he had work, he could do it in their room. It wasn’t like Callum didn’t know about his textile business.
Nerha Silks was famous throughout the fashion world, a reputation that Aguilar worked hard to obtain. So, he understood the need to keep in contact, but he also knew Aguilar’s business manager, and she was highly capable of running the business without him constantly checking in.
His own farm manager had no problem handling the daily business, dealing with the planting or harvest, and the occasional runaway sheep. There had been moments, when his workers took care of the farm for years with only a random letter from Callum. At least now communication was quicker and easier.
When he walked into the library, Dastan pointed towards the back corner, where Aguilar was hiding. The Head of the Order rolled his eyes then grabbed his own work and left the area, not wanting to get between brothers let alone Mates.
“I do understand the importance of the situation, but I am away on personal business and cannot come to oversee the renovations. I have sent detailed replies on each of the pertinent questions, that should be enough.”
‘Don…’
Callum blinked a few times when hearing the term, it was something he hadn’t heard in a while.
Their father wasn’t high in Spanish society, and last he checked his brother hadn’t married up. Though Máximo still had a habit of calling him Don Aguilar, then the Assassin was practically raised by Aguilar.
‘There are concerns about changes being made, and the neighboring towns are complaining about the congestion.’ The voice was annoying and haughty, how Aguilar hadn’t killed him yet, was beyond Callum.
“They don’t get to bitch about how the ruins are an eyesore, then bitch at me when I actually do something about it. I don’t have a magic wand that I can wave with a flair and out pops a renovated castle.” The tone alone met Aguilar was about to shank someone, and Callum had a feeling he would go to wherever this guy was, kill him and be back by breakfast. “Just tell them it will enhance the market value of their real estate and that will shut them up.”
There was a small chuckle. ‘By the way the sheep are happy with their new home, and we have a local shearer coming in to make sure their winter coats are shone. There’s a local weaving society that will appreciate the fresh wool.’
“Make sure the proper donations go out this month, and some of that wool needs to go to the nunnery, they are making beanies for the local hospitals for preemies.”
‘Well, that’s delightful.’ Another small laugh, so maybe the guy he was talking to wasn’t a complete asshole. ‘I’ll send half to the nunnery and the other to the local weavers. They sell blankets at the local craft fair, mostly to tourists.’
“I won’t be checking in for a few weeks, so unless one of the buildings, which you should call Matt for, I’m out of touch.”
‘Yes, Don.’
Aguilar gave his caller a pointed look, then clicked off the video conference call, before closing his laptop to look directly at his brother. “Out with it.”
“What the fuck was that?!” Callum waved his arms at the laptop, then at his brother. “That isn’t Helena, did you find another Business Manager?”
“No, Helena is perfectly fine. She’s in Milan dealing with the heads of Fashion Houses, who are trying to wrangle extra material for their new winter line. I think she’s angling for a private fitting, and some new shoes for the extra silks.”
“That’s because she is awesome, and scares the living shit out of everyone.” Callum loved the woman dearly.
Aguilar had recruited – stolen – her from the Culture of Ministries, where she dealt with requests for events and filming at historical locations. She spoke a dozen languages, her organization skills were untold, and she could out stubborn a bull. Considering there was a story of her pointedly telling a bull to get out of the road so she could get her son to his football practice, and the animal did, showed how she was perfect to handle an International Textile company that dealt with Fashion Houses and Divas.
“Then who the hell was the haughty asshole on the call?” He demanded.
“Sebastian Emmanuel, he’s one of my managers.” Aguilar answered with a slight hesitation.
“What does he manage?”
“My estates.” He leaned forward, head resting in his hands. He knew he should’ve told Callum years ago, but one thing led to another, and the next thing he knew ten years had passed.
“You’re what?”
“My estates.” Aguilar sat back up. “The ones I inherited, after Brigid Maturin died, the ones she inherited from her father, Stephen.”
“I knew you were close, but not that close.” Callum sat across from his brother. “And what exactly did you inherit…” He paused, head tilting slightly as he thought the situation through. “They died over ten years ago!”
“I inherited his lands, money, well anything outside what he left for Sanctuary, and his title.”
Callum’s eyes narrowed.
“I’m officially now Count Aguilar Denerha i Domanova, cousin to Stephen on his mother’s side.”
He was perfectly calm, which was bad for Aguilar.
“What the actual fuck!!” Callum stared at his brother in shock. “How could you not tell me this sooner? This is … I’m not even sure what this is!”
“I didn’t mention it at first, because I was a bit overwhelmed with the very idea. Add in the fact that I was helping Benedict and Ysabel, Hunt down the bastard who killed Brigid. That whole situation was a nightmare, which come to find out was all tied into Kenway showing up at Sylum, as Nico’s brother, yet Aubrey … yet the famed Pirate Captain turned Assassin.”
“Still not quite sure how all that works,” he shrugged. “Okay and then the rest of the nine years?”
“It took two years just to get through legal bullshit and assess the estate. Stephen had been forced to renovate in the 1990’s and did a shit job of it. The whole place needed work, let alone the surrounding lands.” Aguilar opened his laptop, clicked a few things, then turned it around. “That is the figure from the main account for the land with the castle that he had inherited back in the 1800’s. It’s grown astronomical since. Stephen, love him dearly, didn’t really deal with the cultural significance of his title, or the ramifications of it. All he truly wanted was to make sure Brigid was taken care of, which I helped with. But because of it, I ended up with a nightmare of epic proportions, and when that bastard shows back up to claim his Mate again – I’m kicking his fucking arse.”
“That’s a lot of zeros.” Callum leaned forward to look at the accounts. He ended up grabbing the laptop, and started digging around, eyes just getting wider with each click. “Fuck, I’m selling the farm and becoming your love slave.”
Aguilar gave him a look. “The moment they see you, they’re going to think you’re my brother.”
“Well, no shit.” He put the laptop back on the table. “Still doesn’t explain why you didn’t tell me.” Callum was pissed and hurt that his brother kept something this big from him.
“We were in our ‘I really need to be away from you’ stage.” Aguilar argued back. “It’s not an excuse, not really, but honestly Callum, by the time I figured all of this out, unraveled the many accounts, lands, and the title – which alone was a year of dealing with more fucking lawyers, the Cultural Ministries of Spain, and other families that came out of the woodwork to make sure I was worthy to hold the title of Count. I took Hunts for Dastan just so I could shank someone.”
Callum chuckled at his brother’s flailing.
“And then, well … we were apart, and the years went by. Then this happened, and I didn’t know how to tell you what had been going on, especially considering the circumstances of your own mental health.” He held up his hand stopping his Mate from answering. “You still have moments when you see ‘me’ I can tell by the way you stop and stare at a shadow. I’m a fucking Count, the 9th richest man in Spain, and dealing with Spanish Cultural traditions and preconceptions that you’ve never took time to learn. This was not the time to toss you into this world.”
“It’s not like you really shared Spain with me anyway!” He snapped.
“As much as you shared Ireland.” Aguilar yelled then sighed, slumping into his chair.
There were reasons they had moments apart, as twins they were at times too alike and knew how to annoy the shit out of each quickly.
Callum took a calm deep breath, then launched himself out of his chair into Aguilar’s lap kissing him hard and deep. His hands tugged at the longer locks, holding him still as he devoured his mouth in passion, pent up frustration, and the depth of his love.
Aguilar held onto his brother’s hips, opening his mouth to the assault, taking in everything about his brother, his smell, taste, touch. Hands pulled up his t-shirt, fingers sliding over his chest pinching both nipples to rip a moan from his throat.
Callum sat back for a moment they were both panting from the desperate passion that was running through them. Aguilar reached out and yanked on the black sleep pants with white sheep on it, he noticed a sheep pattern in his brother’s sleepwear, and took a hold of the hard cock. He knew exactly what he liked, and watched in delight as his brother leaned back, eyes closed, lost in the sensations.
Callum gripped his brother’s shoulders as he thrust into the calloused hand that knew the exact spots to touch to make him tremble with want. It didn’t take too long before he was coming with a muted moan.
After all, they were still in the library.
With an infectious grin he slid off his brother’s lap, opened his jeans and wrapped his lips around the thick cock, and swallowed him to the hilt. He enjoyed feeling Aguilar’s hands in his hair, holding him tight as he fucked into his mouth. He grinned when he heard his brother’s groan, then lapped up his essence. He sat back, wiped his mouth, and grinned up at him. “So do I get benefits for fucking a Count?”
Aguilar laughed, smiling widely at his Mate. “My dear brother, when we leave here, before we go find Peter, you’ll have to be introduced as my brother and will learn about a section of Spanish Society rarely spoken about.”
“It can’t be that bad. I do move around London, and the Royals…”
Aguilar shifted slightly, then leaned forward kissing his brother lightly. “Oh, you have no idea.”
***
Callum wandered out of the shower, and collapsed onto the bed, not caring that he left the towel somewhere in between. “My hair hurts.”
Aguilar chuckled lightly, reading over reports that were sent to him about the renovations. The plans were to turn the place into an Event Center. The old ruins would be preserved, an archeological team had been working on some of the site. They would also be incorporated into the Event Center, but more as a historical monument then rebuilt into the new buildings.
“I still can’t feel my feet.” He commented, as he sent out more emails with instructions to Sebastian who was working hard to leave him alone, and was likely keeping everyone else at bay, the man will deserve a raise after this. As will Helena, for sending him detailed, up to date emails to let him know what’s going on with Nerha Silks, without one tiny problem he had to deal with, plus was able to wrangle two new suits for him, and Callum.
His brother sat up, crossing his legs for better balance. “I have a lot of questions, Count Aguilar.” He ignored the glare. “But overall, the main one I have is why? Why did Stephen give it all to you? I mean I know you two were friends, but to leave an estate worth hundreds of millions?”
“We met when he was still human, he was tall, lanky and hadn’t quite grown into manhood yet. For his age, he was on his way of being a damn good spy.”
Aguilar was doing inventory, writing notes for the next order, and contemplating closing early when he heard the bell ring. It was rare for him to be in the front, but his apprentice’s wife just had their first baby and he told him to go be with his family. Máximo was out on a mission with Mateo, so he was left by himself. He stepped out of the back, dusting off his shirt, when he got his first look of Stephen Maturin, though it would be a while before he was given the man’s full name.
He was barely twenty and was still growing into himself. His stance showed no hesitation, and his Spanish accent was perfect. He was there on behalf of his employer, who was looking for the best Mercantile Merchant to help with a shipment of materials to be used for decorating his home for the Señora.
“Nerha Silks has a fine collection of materials, we have heavier textiles good for upholstery and curtains, along with softer materials for the Señora’s wardrobe.” Something was nagging at him about the conversation, but he was not able to figure it out.
He took him through the shop, pulling a variety of colors and grades of material, to let him touch to feel the quality. “How did your employer hear about Nerha Silks?” It was a simple question, something he asked many of his clients, a way to determine how far the shop’s name had expanded, while at the same time getting an insight into what type of client he was truly dealing with.
“A business associate mentioned the name in passing.” Stephen answered without any hesitation. “Stated that you had connections with the best importers of fine silks and materials, that your shop was refreshingly new compared to the ones holding onto their old traditions passed down from generations of family.”
Aguilar paused only for a moment, then gave him a smile. “Your associate must have confused me for someone else. I do not have connections to the best importers, at Nerha Silks we import the material ourselves. It’s been a family business for over two hundred years, and we take pride in the quality we provide and our traditions.”
It was a small tell, but enough to realize that Stephen was more than he was playing. He turned and smiled, bowing slightly. “I do apologize I may have confused what was told to me.”
“I detect a slight accent.” Aguilar set the bolt of material down, before making his way towards the large cutting table. “There is just a hint of something.” He likely would not have noticed it, if it was not for the fact that his brother was more Irish than Spanish.
He paused for a moment, then answered easily. “My father was Irish. I spent time with his family.”
It was the truth, that he was sure of, and in that moment, he knew he liked Stephen. They had similarities that were rare in this world, not that he could have told him that at the time. Going with his instincts, he held up his hand signaling for him to wait a moment, went into the back rooms, and pulled one of his highest quality silks. He cut two yards, folded it up and wrapped it in paper, tying it with string.
“Here for the Señora.” Aguilar held out the small parcel. “A gift.”
“Thank You.” He took the package, tucking it under his arm. “I am sure my employer will find your hospitality refreshing.”
Aguilar waited until he left the shop, then quickly locked the door, ran up to the second floor, grabbing his long leather overcoat and gauntlet. He was on the roof, weapons secured hood up, in mere seconds. A quick scan of the area, he found Stephen making his way to the open market. With ease, he followed him on the rooftops, only getting yelled at twice, and one chicken tried to attack him.
He perched on the nearby building and watched as Stephen made contact with another man, the two talked for a few moments before Stephen was handed another package and set off towards the outskirts of the city.
Aguilar was pretty sure he was a spy for the English.
A good one.
It was only the slightest hesitation, and the fact he heard his heart thump in a small panic that clued Aguilar into the situation. In the evening sun, the Assassin made his way back to Nerha Silks, and sat down to write his brother to see if he could find some information.
“I never got a letter?” Callum looked at his brother, fascinated with the story. “And if you knew he was a spy why not report him?”
“I never sent the letter, ended up getting visited by a couple high ranking military officers soon after, they were asking if I had known anything about a Robert Freeman. They had found a merchant receipt on his person. I told them I had never heard of him, and the receipt wasn’t mine, it was for Madrid Textiles, a much larger and newer company. Then to distract them I gave the new Captain some white satin for his daughter’s first communion.”
Callum chuckled, it was such an Aguilar thing to do, distract them with shiny things before he shanked them. “Was Freeman the one Stephen was talking to, and did he give him the silks?”
“I never found out who Freeman was, but it wouldn’t be until years later I discovered what he did with the material.” Aguilar closed the laptop, then climbed into bed with his Mate. “A few years later, we ended up meeting again.”
Callum kissed him softly. “Tell me. I feel as if I’m learning something about you. After everything that happened in that facility, I realized how little I knew about some aspects of your life.” He held up a hand to quiet Aguilar for a moment. “I’m just as guilty, I never told you how I was Turned, nor anything about my friendship with Noah or his boys.”
“Which is a scary thought in itself.” He kissed his palm, giving him a smile. “But you are right, despite sharing our lives, there are moments we know little about each other.”
Callum settled into the bed, curled into Aguilar. “Keep going with your story.”
“You want me to tuck you in also?” He wrapped his arms around his Mate, pulling him closer.
“Yes.”
He laughed lightly, yanking up the blankets, then fluffed the pillows to get comfortable. “The next time I saw Stephen he had been lured into a back alley, by some fortune seeking soldiers.”
Aguilar was walking home after having dinner with Azeem and Robin. With the war with England, the Clan Leader was concerned for Robin’s safety, who had rolled his eyes, and produced the perfect Italian accent, giving his Mate a quick kiss. Azeem laughed lightly at his Mate’s ingenuity, then asked Aguilar for any information, especially considering his brother. Unfortunately, they hadn’t been able to communicate easily, but some letters were getting through, but nothing to really report about.
He was not far from home, when he heard a yelp of pain. Not able to walk away, he followed the sound until he found a robbery in progress. Some drunk soldiers had pulled a young man into the dark alley to deprive him of his gold, the problem seemed to be that he didn’t have any, and they were getting pissed.
It was almost too easy to knock all three out, when he got a good look at the victim, he was not all that surprised to see Stephen. He was starting to fill out, growing into the long arms and legs.
“We meet again.”
Stephen gave him a pained smile as he pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket to stop his lips from bleeding. “Thank you, Señor.”
“Come on, let us get you cleaned up.” Aguilar took his arm, not giving much room for argument. He led him back to the shop, then grabbed his medical kit, and bandaged one of the nastier cuts on his arm. “If you are going to be wandering the streets at night, might want to carry a weapon.”
“I find them distasteful. I prefer to use my intelligence.” Stephen gave him a half smile as slipped off his shirt, frowning at its state. “I will need a new one.”
“I can send some material to the local tailor. Or you can bring it back later, I have someone who is good with mending, not quite tailor status, but good with a needle.” Aguilar put the kit away, then made his way to the back. “Would you like some coffee?”
“I should be going but thank you for saving me Señor Nerha.”
Aguilar stepped out from the back and gave Stephen a look. “I see someone has been asking around.”
“I was curious who you were, as I had obviously wandered into the wrong shop. Again, I do apologize, I had made assumptions, not even realizing I was talking with the owner. It was rude and insulting to you and your family’s business.” Stephen gave him a quick bow and headed for the door.
“My given name is Aguilar.” He stated just before the other man made his exit.
Stephen paused, then turned, giving him a small smile. “Unique name, I have not heard that in my travels. I assume it is a family name.”
“Yes, many generations.” He leaned against the cutting table. “How about some coffee, we can start anew.”
Stephen paused for a moment, but then nodded and took a step back into the shop. “Then I shall introduce myself fully, I’m Esteban Maturin.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Esteban.”
They would meet off and on for the next few years. Aguilar always kept an eye on him, and his activities, making sure he was safe. Stephen stopped into the shop on occasion sometimes to buy some material, and others just for a cup of coffee. Their friendship was unique, and most wouldn’t have thought the two being so different would find a lasting relationship.
“If you do not mind me asking, Aguilar, why have you kept up our association?” Stephen was wandering around his shop, asking about the different types of materials, how they were made, what was the difference in grades of silk, and other random questions.
Aguilar had learned the difference between Stephen’s curious natural questions about everything, it went with the brilliant mind that recently finished training as a doctor, versus the select questions for information.
“Do I need an excuse?” He asked as he studied his books, while Stephen wandered. They had received a large shipment a week ago, and he became concerned when a portion of the shipment seemed to be missing.
“It is odd.” He turned and looked over at the other man, giving him a smile. “I am far from welcome company, at least not at times. Some say I talk too much, and generally discuss topics most are not interested in.”
“I find your company quite enjoyable. We have many delightful conversations that are stimulating, and far from boring discussions of court.” He checked off a few bolts off the list, then grabbed a sheet of paper he made notes on and headed for the back. “Besides it is not often one meets someone that has similar parentage.”
He had heard Stephen’s foot falls follow him, as he moved around the stockroom.
“What do you mean?” The curious voice came from the doorway.
“My mother was Irish.” He pulled out the ladder and made his way to the top shelf to find the missing bolts. Máximo has been doing this for far too long and knows better than to toss the new stuff in the back. He made a note to yell at the ‘kids’. It was likely Mateo was distracting him, the downside of working with one’s Mate. He should know the amount of work that did not get done when Callum was visiting, especially as the two had such rare moments together.
“That is how you recognized the accent.” Stephen leaned against the wall smiling at him. “And here I thought you were just that good with languages.”
“I am.” He laughed, slipping into French. “I have a business that goes across many borders and have to haggle in all types of languages.”
“That explains your red hair.”
“Yes, it does.” He ran his hand through it, taking out the tie to make sure it’s pulled back tightly.
“And your mother? Is she here in Spain with your father?” He asked with natural curiosity.
“They are both dead.” Aguilar crossed himself, and quickly said a Hail Mary for both their souls.
“I am truly sorry.” He cringed slightly at his mistake.
“They died long ago.” Aguilar gripped Stephen’s shoulder. “I was old enough to take over the business, though many thought I was not ready.”
“You are doing well for yourself, even have staff on occasions.” He followed him out to the main shop area. “Curious person that I am, I asked around. Many have given you high regards for your business and customer conduct. A few grumbled at the waifs you tend to let hang around or employ. There were a few Señoras who were more concerned that you were not married, and desperate to know if their daughters were suitable, a few asking for themselves.”
Aguilar shook his head. “My wife died many years ago, I have no interest in another.”
“I feel as if I keep bringing up bad memories.” Stephen gave him a soft smile. “I apologize if I have given you insults this evening. I find our talks refreshing, as you had stated, and you speak little of yourself.”
“As do you Esteban.” Aguilar gave him a pointed look but kept the smile in place. “I do not tolerate gossip. I have seen its harm to my own family and friends. Many in this town talk about me because they do not understand how I can be alone. I loved my wife dearly, losing her was difficult, I have surrounded myself with good friends, and waifs who need a firm hand and a second chance.”
“You are a good man, Señor Nerha.” Stephen gave him a rare smile.
“You two really became close.” Callum cuddled into his brother. “I remember you talking about him, you were worried about that woman he married.”
“Diana Villiers. He was besotted by her, never saw her faults.” Aguilar kissed the top of his head. “The greatest gift she ever gave him was Brigid. She was a beautiful soul, and my heart aches even now that she was taken out for some petty revenge by someone so pathetic.”
“Did he know about your second job?” He asked, though most of it was lost in the yawn.
“We both need some sleep.” Aguilar settled himself into the bed, content and warm against his Mate. “I’ll tell you more of the story later.” He smiled at the soft snores coming from Callum who had fallen fast asleep.
***
Callum finished his run up the hill, panting slightly. Altaïr was an arsehole who had obstacles in the way, yet Callum still had to make it in less than 15 mins. He was under 14 so take that!
He began his stretches, trying to release some of the strained and sore muscles. When he finished, he caught the eye of a new girl who was doing a version of Yoga that seemed to specifically accent her nice ass in the lycra. She gave him a sassy smile, and wink. He tried not to roll his eyes but did check her ass out as he jogged up to the entrance into the headquarters, to find Tamina watching over the recruit training.
Aguilar was out with Ezio, both on a twenty-five mile run through the mountains. It would seem they both pissed Dastan off when one of the fights destroyed a section of his office. Like it would stop the two, they were one of the few who had no fear when it comes to leaping off buildings. Altaïr had no problems with the leap of faith, but he wasn’t as enthusiastic about it as those two.
“So, who’s Ms. Hot Pants?” Callum tossed his head towards the girl who was still shaking her ass in his direction.
Tamina sighed heavily. “Luisa Gallego, part of the Thieves Guild.”
“They’re still around?” He was slightly impressed. There was a time that as an Assassin you couldn’t get anything done without making a deal with the Guild. “She’s got a nice ass, helpful for her job, and she likes to show it off.”
“She’s good and knows it.” Tamina sent the woman a small glare. “Focus on your exercise, not Mr. Lynch’s ass!” She turned back to Callum. “She doesn’t know about Vampires or Mates, so be careful. She’s already bedded at least two Assassins.”
“Not saying her ass isn’t nice, and I might have tapped it at one point. But right now, my focus is on Aguilar, and we have a third Mate waiting for us.” He gave her a smirk, that was more of a goofy smile.
“How are you two handling the idea of a new Mate?” She took his arm, tossing a cold look over her shoulder at Luisa. “It must have been a shock to the system.”
“It was, well once the drugs faded.” He shrugged slightly, still coming to terms with the idea. Peter was so not like them, which is probably a good thing and why he was destined for them. “We’ve written to him, just to let him know we’re still thinking about him, but to understand we’ll be here a while.”
“And you’re okay with the fact he was part of the group that kidnapped you?” She led him towards the back gardens, she gestured to the staff to prepare a light lunch and bring it out to them.
“He was working undercover.” Callum slipped out from her arm, taking a few steps away. “He holds his own responsibility for things that happened, just like any of our spies we send out. We just happened to have the worst ‘how did you meet your Mate’ story.”
“I worry.” Tamina gave him a soft smile moving towards one of the low tables, where the staff was setting out food. “You two are just now coming to terms being Mates publicly, adding a third could be more stress than either of you need.”
“Which is why we’re taking our time. We had to get ourselves together, before we even thought about courting Peter. Hence we’re here getting our arses handed to us by your darling husband.” He gave her a pointed look, before settling on one of the loungers. “Thank you for caring.”
“I had always wondered about you two, but it wasn’t my place. I’m just glad to see you’re happy.” She gave him a bright smile, reaching over to squeeze his hand.
“Thank you.” He dug into the food provided as they gossiped about everyone and everything going around Masyaf. The Thieves Guild had been regenerated, and was working with the Assassins, but the modern thieves are having problems with the older traditions. Hence some of them were sent to Masyaf to learn a few things, not just skill sets but about how the world isn’t all high tech gadgets and video games.
“So that explains Ms. Hot Pants.” Callum leaned against the pillows on the lounger enjoying the afternoon. “She’s got some good moves, and let’s be honest that ass would be a nice distraction to sneak by guards. But the tool belt is too loose…”
“Oh God yes, she wears it slung low on her hip, problem we both know it can snag on anything if you’re running for your life. Which, best case scenario you lose the loot, worst case you break a hip. Though, I like her more than her sister, Rosa.”
“I haven’t met her.”
“Oh, you will know the moment you see her.” Tamina rolled her eyes. “I’m a woman, I like my silks, slinky outfits, pretty things and flowers in my hair. But when I’m working, I have leathers, much easier to deflect a knife. My boobs aren’t hanging out, my ass isn’t shaking in a guard’s face. Every inch of my body is covered, because blood dripping down between your tits is not pleasant.”
Callum tried not to laugh but couldn’t help the chuckle. “I’m assuming Rosa thinks less is more?”
“Her outfits are elaborate and skimpy. She’s actually not training because she’s recovering from an ass kicking Aveline gave her, she sliced each section of exposed skin, making a point about vulnerable spots.”
“Aveline usually doesn’t get heated, she’s deadly calm. She’s had to be, especially from the time she was trained. She couldn’t as a creole woman lose her shit at slavers in the middle of broad daylight. Kinda, like how I had to curtail my accent when I went into London, even now I have to watch it. So, what the hell pissed her off.”
“She called her frumpy. Saying that us women needed to modernize and realize that we don’t have to be like men, by wearing men’s clothing.”
“I’m sorry, what?” He stared at her in slight shock. “I’ve seen Aveline in her leathers and it’s far from men’s clothing. It’s fitted so she can move, covers everything so she won’t get killed and today’s outfits we all have Kevlar jerkins, so we don’t get shot. Aguilar’s and mine outfits are actual tight leather pants, long overcoats, all flexible and moveable. Hell, the closest one that has more of a male outfit is Evie and that’s because her and Jake, how I don’t know, blend as each other. I take it she hasn’t met Ysabel yet.”
“Oh no, nor Shao Jun.” Tamina giggled.
“Wait Aveline is here? I haven’t seen her.” He sat up with a sudden realization.
“She, along with Shao Jun, showed up with those three that were with you at the Templar stronghold. They were staying away, giving you time to heal. Nazim is having a hard time adjusting, but he’s starting to distinguish the difference between his life and Yusuf.”
“I would like to see them.” Callum stood from the table. “Make sure they’re all right.”
“Then let me take you to them.” She was pretty sure Aguilar was going to give her an epic death glare, and Dastan’s wasn’t going to be much better. She had always had a soft spot for Callum, the quieter one of the two, the one who stayed in the shadows behind his brother. She got that. Despite being the leader of her own people, the amount of times she ended up in Dastan’s shadow, not at his doing but everyone else’s. “You have to protect me from Aguilar.”
He shrugged, “I’ll borrow Ms. Hot Pants lycra and sashay in front of him, that will get his attention.”
Tamina had to steady herself with one of the nearby columns as she was laughing that hard.
***
Aguilar bent over, resting his hands on his knees taking deep breaths despite the fact he didn’t need to. He was one giant sweat ball, some of his hair had slipped out of the tie and was plastered to his face. All he wanted was to shower, collapse into his bed which hopefully contained Callum. He straightened up, hands resting on his lower back as he bent backwards to stretch out the muscles, a pained groan escaped.
“Ow my back.”
Aguilar looked over to see Ezio in the same predicament he was in. “I would blame you, but we know this is all Dastan’s fault.”
The chuckle was wicked, then turned sultry. “Ciao Bella.”
“Fancy seeing you again.”
A sexy voice broke through Aguilar’s daydreams of a hot soaking bath with his Mate. He blinked a few times, before focusing on a young woman standing in front of him. Her hair was dark, pulled up into a messy bun, she had a tight tank-top, and yoga pants that didn’t hide anything. She was standing in a way that just screamed ‘ask me up to your room for coffee’.
“I’m sorry have we met?” He had no idea who the woman was, and by the way she was dressed, not likely an Assassin in training or one of the local women.
“Don’t mind him Bella, he’s old and grumpy.” Ezio put on his best charming smile, while sliding up to her.
Aguilar didn’t hold back the eye roll. If it was pretty Ezio flirted, he swore he heard him sweat talk one of the horses the other day. He was a Florentine flirting was in their DNA. Best option was for him to slide away and see if he could find his Mate and a hot bath.
“Oh, come on! You’re just going to ignore me?”
“I don’t know who you are.” He pointed out, then pushed past her to run up the rest of the way to the main entrance.
He passed by Tamina, who grabbed his arm and pulled him into the corner. “You’re likely going to kill me.”
“Not a good way to start a sentence.” Aguilar pointed out, worry starting to creep up his back. Closing his eyes, he focused on their Bond, feeling a tight ball of anxiety. “What’s happened?”
“He discovered that Lin, Emir, and Zachary are here.”
“By discovered, you mean, you told him.”
“Yes, by accident.” She waved her hand as if that was irrelevant. “He was with them for the past hour catching up, which helped all of them, but he’s anxious to see you … as in you.”
He didn’t say anything, instead took off for the rooms, thankful he was wearing running pants and a t-shirt instead of his gear. Just as he passed one of the windows along the stairs heading up to their room, he heard Ezio’s yelp. Looks like Altaïr wasn’t in the mood for his Mate’s flirting.
When he got up to their room, Callum was settled in the middle of their bed with Aguilar’s laptop, going through all the reports on the renovations for the castle, making his own notes and writing out ideas. It was so far from the fake reality, it was likely helping him focus on the then and now, instead of 15th Century Spain.
“Got some ideas?” He asked, settling next to him, not caring he was still sweaty.
“Your sheep pen is fucking amazing!” Callum glanced over at him, pointing at the castle shaped pen. “My sheep are going to be jealous and want to retire in Spain!!”
“They were living in the ruins of the castle, so to convince them that they should leave, we built them their own miniature medieval castle.” He shifted slightly, until they were touching, wrapping an arm around his Mate, Aguilar pulled up more pictures of the pen.
The designers had done an amazing job, even if they had thought Aguilar, was an eccentric millionaire. The walls of the pen were made of stone, slightly higher than the normal three feet, and at each corner was a turret with a small flag that was blue with a sheep silhouette (material from Nerha Silk, obviously), and the gate was an actual drawbridge. Inside there were water and feed troughs along with shelters that were made from the finest quality material. In the back of the castle, was an area where the sheep could be sheltered from the weather and get their yearly shearing.
Callum was aweing over the sheep and their elaborate over the top pen. “This is probably the awesomest thing I’ve ever seen.” He leaned over and kissed Aguilar. “And the fact you actually did this, makes me love you more.”
“Your sheep they can immigrate. They can be expat sheep.”
Callum snorted, plotting how to at least get a few of his gals over to Spain. It might be interesting to see the different qualities of wool that could come from the two breeds.
“The renovations are looking amazing.” He set the laptop down and shifted until he was in front of his brother. “I’m sorry.”
“Whatever for?” Aguilar reached over to cup his cheek.
“For being pissed over you not telling me about this.” His hand waved over the computer. “When I returned from talking with the others, everything came back. The feeling of not knowing who I was, the desperate itch, seeing you – but not you. I saw your laptop and needed something to ground me. Sitting in the bed that had your smell, your laptop, and just reading anything modern. It was open on your business proposal for the castle. I ended up reading through all of it. The amount of shit you had to deal with was astonishing, the paperwork, the government red tape, the nasty emails from supposedly friendly neighbors, let alone the number of invitations, social obligations and seriously a fucking dress code! All of it, because Stephen hated you so much, he gave you everything.”
Aguilar laughed openly, leaning over to kiss his Mate. “It’s been overwhelming, yes. But you do not need to apologize. I should have told you, at the same time I didn’t want you near this. I lived just on the outskirts of this society, so knew how to handle the nuances. You were there when Josephine had decided to marry Erik. And saw how sections of the community turned against the family, because of her decision.”
“It’s the one time I really wanted to smack your kid.” Callum shook his head at the memory. He understood being in love, especially with someone you’re not supposed to be, but the misery Josephine left behind was heartbreaking.
“And at that time, I was just a merchant.”
“It was also during the Spanish Inquisition.” Callum pointed out incredulously. “The whole family could’ve been arrested for allowing Josephine to live, let alone run off and marry a Jew.”
“Well, if they had, we would’ve burned the city down.”
“Accurate.” He shrugged, then shifted until he laid his head against his brother’s shoulder. “I’m not sure I like the fact you’re a Count.” He waved his hand at the laptop. “It’s not worth this shite.”
“Callum, why do you think I’m doing this?” Aguilar leaned back, pushing his brother slightly to make sure he was looking at him. “To be a Count? To be the ninth richest man in Spain? To have every eligible woman in a five-hundred mile radius not only have my name, number and stats.”
That got a snort out of Callum, followed by a low growl. “You belong to me.”
“And Peter.”
“Oh, dear God, I can’t wait to tell him you’re a Count… wait you think he can play your boyfriend openly, as I have to obviously be your brother.” He already had the start of a plot formulating in his head. “So why are you doing this?”
“Well for one it is for Stephen and Brigid. I practically helped raise that girl, and she was as much a Nerha as Maturin.” He grabbed the laptop, to show some of the designs for the retrofitted Castle. “To make this worth my effort, the main focus of the land will be an Event Center: weddings, parties, and we will not discriminate. Also, add in the history of the place as it dates to the 13th Century, we’ll add historical tours and make it into a tourist trap. Money made will go back into the running of the place, then afterwards into a foundation that was created to give money to charities, established and future ones that can apply for grants. The foundation is named for them: Maturin Charity Foundation. Close by the Event Center, will be Count Domanova’s private residence, so I can host all those social obligations, and run the Foundation. I’ve made sure that there’s enough room for us, the kids, and visiting Clan.”
Callum kissed him hard, loving him just a bit more.
“On top of all that…” He smiled at his Mate. “This section of the land will have a decent sized building, away from the touristy spots, event center, and our private residence. Matt, my construction manager, is making sure it will look as if it’s a separate place, with its own entrance. As a matter of fact, it’s being built on the foundations of an old Abbey, I manipulated the permits to make it look as if I was rebuilding the Abbey. My ties to the Carmelite nuns, sold the story. And there will be a few nuns on sight, some of those that know my history with the order. But it’s mostly to hide a sanctuary for us, our fellow assassins, and those who need it. They will be able to rest, be safe, and invisible to the rest of the world.”
“Ah the kids are going to love it!” He took the laptop to look at the drawings, not surprised to see the details of the place. It was larger than he expected, but then Aguilar never went small. The plans called for separate rooms, a training facility, medical area, and a few small workshops. It was a perfect miniature Assassins headquarters, outside Masyaf which had been harder and harder to get to over the past decade. “This is actually a really good idea. No really, Aguilar there isn’t an Assassin headquarters outside Masyaf. Did you talk to Dastan about this?”
“I had the idea about two years ago, when I realized there was a huge section of land behind the castle and vineyards. Jake runs the Rooks, and the local Assassins out of the Rookery, he also bought two blocks worth of buildings around it, giving the rooks space and training area.”
“I’ve used it many times.” Callum nodded in understanding. “But it’s not official.”
“No, and he has a different set of kids, unlike ours.”
“They’re yours.”
“Oh no, Uncle Callum, those three are yours as much as mine. I swear Ysabel gets her sass from you.” He gave his brother a pointed look. Over the years they had adopted three kids, who turned out to be damn good Assassins.
Máximo was the first.
A kid whose father died when he was young, and his mother was trying her best to keep food on the table. He had caught him trying to pick his pocket …
He grabbed the kid by the scruff of the neck and lifted him up enough to get a good look. He needed a bath, some new clothes, and a lesson in manners. The kid screamed and tried to fight him off, but Aguilar just held firmer, until he sagged in defeat.
He put the kid back on the ground, but still held onto him by his neck. Without a word he pushed the kid through the streets until they came upon his small shop. Pushing the kid inside, he closed the door behind him.
“Look if you want to touch me, you will have to pay.”
Aguilar was not sure if he was horrified that the kid thought he was looking for sex, or the fact the kid was offering it.
“What is your name?”
“Máximo.”
“I am Aguilar de Nerha and I have a wife I adore and do not want pleasure from a child.” He gave him a scathing look. “Sit. If you move or try to leave, I will find you.”
The kid got off the chair instantly and started wandering the shop, looking at all the materials wanting to touch to find out if they were as soft as they looked.
Aguilar watched him for a few moments, then called him into the back, where a tub of water was waiting. “It is cold, I do not have the ability to heat the water here. Clean everything.” He handed him a cloth and some soap. “I have left some clothes on the stool. Come back out when you are done, and we will talk.”
Twenty minutes later a clean ten year old boy stood before him. Aguilar handed him some food, and then listened as he told his story. It was not a new one, he had heard it before, but this one he could help.
“I will take you home and talk with your mother. You can work in my shop every day except for Sunday for some money. Can you read and write?”
He nodded slightly. “But not good.”
“Then part of your day will be on your letters and numbers. This is a business and I expect you to learn how to handle the product, take notes, and be respectful to the patrons.”
“Including Inquisitors?”
Aguilar smiled at the kid and gave him his first Assassin lesson. “Especially them and do you know why?”
“So, they do not kill us?”
“Well, there is that.” He laughed lightly, then bent down to look the kid in the eyes. “If you are nice, they forget you. If you let them talk, they forget anything you said. If you listen, you learn things that can hurt them later. Do you understand?”
Máximos’ eyes went wide. “Yes, Don Aguilar.”
The poor kid ended up with the biggest crush on Josephine, but his oldest daughter did not even give the kid a second glance. Beatriz, his youngest, was devoted to her prayers, the woman was likely to become a nun, and Bridgette was focused on her studies.
His wife adored young Máximo and was thrilled that Aguilar had found a ‘son’. As she knew that her husband could not give her any more children, and in all honesty, she was not interested in having any more.
It was not until Josephine broke his heart, that Máximo learned the truth about Aguilar’s calling. The young boy, though inching towards manhood, had accidentally seen Josephine with a new beau. For the fifteen year old it was devastating to learn the girl he dreamed of marrying despite the fact she was six years older than him, was in love with someone else.
He had gone straight to Aguilar to tell him what he saw. Part of him wanted her to get in trouble, as far as he knew, no one had a clue about the beau. The other part wanted to cry on Don Aguilar’s shoulder, his mentor who had become a father figure over the past years.
Aguilar was tired, and hearing his daughter was conducting herself in a way that would get the attention of the Inquisitors, made it worse.
The local Inquisitors had upped their game the past few years, and even the smallest discretions were getting attention. The man leading the latest group was an extremist, he made Torquemada look rational.
Archbishop Miguel Gomez was on a mission from God to save people’s souls. The people whose lives he destroyed, tortured, and killed were just sinners that needed to be brought back to the light – he was doing it for them.
Gomez had particular distaste for Aguilar and had sights on his family. He hadn’t liked that the man didn’t bend at his will and was never seen at the public executions. The Archbishop also had concerns about the questionable people he hired to work in his Textile business. The only reason the man had not touched the shop was because Aguilar gave a hefty donation to the church and Gomez’s personal wardrobe.
Since his threats were not working on Aguilar, the Archbishop decided to have a friendly discussion with Maria, at their home. Specifically, to talk about their oldest daughter Josephine, he was shocked that at her age she was not married and producing children.
Beatriz saved the day, by telling him her sister was a blessing from God. She put her life on hold, to help Mamá with taking care of her, dedicating her time for the good of the family. Everyone knew the young girl was devoted, there was talk of her likely joining a nunnery. Many believed it was her devotion to God that had saved her from devastating illnesses during her childhood.
The Archbishop gave them a tight smile, bid them a good day, and left more pissed than he arrived.
After he left, Maria pulled Beatriz into a tight hug, whispering her thanks, then told her to go upstairs, while she talked to Josephine.
“Is there anything you want to talk to me about?” Maria studied her oldest daughter for a few moments.
The young woman physically looked like Maria, they were similar in height, and had the same strong build, except instead of Maria’s dark hair and eyes, she inherited her father’s coloring. The hazel eyes, and auburn hair made her stand out, catching the eye of many suitors around the city.
She believed a woman should have the right to choose her suitor and would never push an unwanted husband onto any of her daughters. But the times were different, and lately Josephine was behaving erratically, getting attention they could not afford. She knew her husband was always under scrutiny, and the fact the Archbishop spoke specifically about their oldest, worried her.
“No Mamá.” She leaned over and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “I am going to lay down for a few moments.”
“Your father’s brother will be visiting.” Maria called out as the girl fled the room. “Make sure to be on good behavior.” She sighed when the door slammed, then made her way into her husband’s office to look for the good wine.
By the time her husband came home, she had finished half the bottle. With a sly smile, he pulled the bottle from her fingers and drank down a few swallows.
“Should I be worried my wife is depleting me of the good wine?” He asked leaning over to kiss the top of her head.
“Where is our boy?” She asked pulling him down for a proper kiss.
“Crying his eyes out.” He took off his jacket and tossed it over the chair before settling into it. “We have a problem?”
“Who has hurt our boy?” Maria was in full protective mode.
“Our daughter.” He poured more wine into her mug, chuckling over the fact she grabbed the oldest most chipped mug they had instead of the fine glassware. “Máximo saw Josephine with a boy, well a young man.”
Maria stared at him, then shifted in her seat. “Who? We have had a few families reach out about possible matches. She has turned down every single one. Unlike Bridgette who is sweet on the Vargas’ middle boy, Jorge.”
“I do not know, but plan on finding out.” He was far from happy, now was not a time for Josephine to have a rebellious streak. He agreed with Maria on letting all three of the girls pick their husband, especially as she had chosen him despite her parents’ disapproval. “It would seem she has been sneaking out and seeing him in the cover of night. If I was not so terrified for her, I would be proud.”
“I will kill her before any Inquisitor!” Maria growled as she stood, heading for the door, only to be grabbed by her husband and pulled into his lap. “Aguilar, let me go so I can kill our daughter. We have two others, and I will officially adopt Máximo.”
“I have no way of finding out who she is seeing if you strangle her with your rosary.” He gave his wife a pointed look, holding her close to his body. “Besides, I can think of a better way to spend our afternoon.”
She huffed but relaxed into his arms, laying her head on the broad shoulder. “She could get you killed.”
“I can defend myself and this family.” He kissed the top of her head. “There is a reason I asked Callum to come visit. I know the Archbishop believes I am the one helping the ‘sinners’ escape.”
“You are.” She curled her legs up, enjoying the feel of her husband’s arms.
“Well yes, but to look like I am not. Callum is going to play me, while I stand by as a dutiful husband and father, who is dedicated to the church by watching these atrocities.” There were advantages of being a twin, especially when both were Assassins. “Tonight, after dinner I will follow our daughter and find out what is going on.”
“Then I can kill her.”
“Yes dear.”
Despite having every intention of getting his beautiful wife back to their bedroom, the two fell asleep in the chair, until one of the servants woke them for dinner. It was completely undignified, and Maria’s slightly wobbled exit out of his office made him smile, despite her threatening glare. Dinner had been an intense affair, Maria not so subtly questioning Josephine, it was so obvious that the two other girls had kept their heads down. Aguilar had to curtail the questioning, focusing on Bridgette asking about her studies, who was happy to explain in detail everything she had learned.
“Uncle Callum is coming to visit, but as you know we need to keep the information close to home.” They understood that despite being dad’s twin, he lived in Ireland and the local community would not accept him. They loved their uncle and protected him. It helped that he spoiled them when he visited. “I suggest starting tomorrow everyone stays close to home. Especially after today’s visit.” He loved his family deeply and would kill anyone who would see them harm. “I know it seems restrictive, but this is for your protection. Please, I love you too much to lose you.”
Bridgette and Beatriz moved out of the chairs and hugged their father, giving him their promise. Josephine soon joined them, kissing his cheek. “We will be good.”
Two hours later, he was geared up and ready to follow his daughter. Maria checked his knives and tightened the belt, patting down the leather jerkin. “Why would she not tell me?”
“She is probably afraid we would not approve.” He cupped her cheek running a thumb over the soft skin.
“I trust you to make the right decision. If this man is hurting her, well my husband, the merchant, would do damage, I am sure this man,” she patted the red sash, “would do more.”
“I will bring her home.” The moment he heard the soft click of Josephine’s window, shaking his head at the fact he had not noticed for weeks. “I have kept Máximo at the shop, if he shows up at the house, listen to him.”
“I promise.” She pulled him into a heated kiss, there was something about seeing him dressed in his gear. At first, she did not understand her husband’s calling, until the deaths from the Inquisitors got worse and saw first-hand the devastation in the name of God. And now that it was at her own doorstep, she was eternally grateful for her husband’s abilities.
Aguilar took to the roofs, it took him a few seconds to find his daughter, who was dressed in dark colors, wrapped in a cape, hood up. She truly was her father’s daughter. Josephine stayed in the shadows, taking fewer known routes that kept her away from any guards patrolling. The Archbishop had not set a curfew, but everyone knew not to be caught out late at night. As far as Gomez was concerned only whores and thieves were roaming the streets after dark.
He frowned, as she moved further away from the town center, and headed into areas that were restricted, filled with communities that would not welcome her. Aguilar’s blade slid into position when a young man pulled her into a dark alleyway. Seconds from dropping down to defend her, Josephine tossed her hood back and pulled the man into a kiss.
Aguilar was going to let his wife kill her.
‘No troubles?’ The young man asked with concern.
‘No, but we have some problems.’ She leaned into his arms, sighing softly. ‘The Archbishop visited making a fuss over the fact I am not married.’
The man laughed lightly, running a hand through her hair. ‘We could fix that, but I doubt your choice of husband will help the situation.’
There was a mix of a snort and groan. ‘Also, family is visiting. I will need to be extra careful.’
‘Are you still planning to leave with us?’ He asked with a hesitant voice, as if not sure what she would answer.
‘Erik, there is no way I would let you leave me behind.’ Josephine pulled him into a soft kiss. ‘We should get inside.’
Aguilar followed them as they went further into the neighborhood, instantly recognizing the community. It had gotten smaller over the years, mainly to do with the Inquisition and hatred towards the Jewish people. Staying in the shadow he was able to get close to the small home, enough to see the older couple smile and hug his daughter in affection. ‘Judith it is so good to see you. How is your grandmother?’
The door closed leaving Aguilar leaning against the wall contemplating his daughter’s life choices. If the Church was to find out she was seeing a Jewish man, they would kill, not just, both families, but burn down what was left of the Jewish community.
What the hell was she thinking?
He slipped back into the house, stripping out of his gear before heading to their bedroom. Maria was settled on one of the lounges, fiddling with her stitch work. She took one look at her husband, set the material to the side, then gestured for him to sit next to her. “Who is he?”
“Let me take care of this.”
“Aguilar?”
“I need you not to stay calm and let me handle it.” He took her hand, holding it tight. “His name is Erik, and he is Jewish.”
When Callum arrived the next day, he instantly knew something was wrong. Maria was agitated, Beatriz and Bridgette were hiding, and Josephine was in her room. Aguilar pulled his brother into a hug, holding his Mate tightly for a few moments, then stepped back. Callum could feel his brother’s agitation and anxiety, he gave him a look, then gave Maria a kiss and hug. After a quick hello to the girls, bags dropped off in the spare room, not that he would be in it often. Most of the time he spent enjoying the rare moments he had with his Mate and Maria.
“You want to tell me what’s going on? Besides the normal bullshit from some uppity power-hungry bishop.” Callum looked at the two of them, not liking that they were visually upset. Aguilar rarely showed his agitation, but at the moment it was clear on both of them. After a quick rundown of the situation, he sat down heavily in one of the chairs. “And what are we going to do about it?”
“I’m going to show up at the house as Aguilar de Nerha, Silk Merchant.” He ran a hand over his face. “I have a feeling once his parents find out she’s not Jewish, they will be in agreement, that the best option would be to separate them. And I hate it. She is obviously in love with him, but there is no way for this to work.”
“Then what?” Callum glanced at Maria who suddenly looked ten years older.
“Well, she has a few choices.” Maria made her way to her husband’s cabinet frowning when she didn’t find any wine.
“You drank it yesterday.” Aguilar pointed out with a small smile.
“Did you not get another?” She sighed, taking a seat in the other chair. “She returns home, never speaks of this again, and agrees to a marriage to someone of our choosing. She enters the nunnery having found a sudden devotion to her faith, after spending time with Beatriz. We ship her off to Ireland and you handle her.”
“I am not likely the best option.” Callum gave them both a look. “I would probably train her to be an Assassin.”
Maria gave him a hard look, before deflating it was obvious the strain was taking a toll. “It is better than dying at the hands of Archbishop Gomez or worse in his bed. He has been asking too many questions, and I doubt it is out of the goodness of his heart, more his lust.”
Máximo couldn’t help but stare at the two men, not quite understanding what he was seeing. He may have looked between them for a few minutes, mouth agape. Both smirked, as if this was not a new reaction. “Don Aguilar?”
“How adorable.” Callum glanced at his brother, smiled wide, a glint of mischief in his eyes. His brother had mentioned the young man in a few of his letters. “Is this the street rat you fed, and it stayed?”
“Callum, this is Máximo.” He ignored his brother, instead made sure to give Máximo assurance. “This is my brother. He has come to help with some internal family matters.”
“Does this have to do with Josephine?” Máximo asked, the confusion replaced with obvious heartbreak.
“One of the aspects.” Aguilar pulled him into his arms, amazed at how tall the kid was getting, he was up to his chest and likely would be his height or more. “I need you to stay here, keep my brother company.” He then gave Callum a hard look. “Do not torment the kid.”
“Would I do that?”
“Yes.” Aguilar snarked then patted Máximo on the shoulder letting him go before he grabbed his cloak tossing it around his shoulders.
“Dramatic.” Callum teased hoping to bring down some of the sensed anxiety. He gave a glance to the kid, then moved closer to his brother, a hand on his shoulder, speaking softly in their twinspeak. “It will be fine. We will do what needs to be done to protect our family.”
“I hate that I will be breaking her heart. We truly understand loving someone you cannot have.” Aguilar put his hand over his Mate’s, giving it a squeeze. “If I am not back in a few hours.”
“I will find you.” Callum patted his shoulder, then flipped back into Spanish. “I will watch the kid tell him all your embarrassing stories.”
Máximo had no idea Don Aguilar had a brother, let alone one that looked exactly like him. His view on the world had changed in the past couple of days, and he did not know where to go. After Aguilar left the small shop, leaving him with his brother, Máximo turned towards the other and asked. “Why has he not talked about you?”
“I live in Ireland.” Callum gave the kid a small smile. “Spain and Ireland do not always get along.”
“Why? I mean why are you in Ireland?” He turned and headed for the back of the shop, he still had inventory to do. And right now, he needed to do something or would just make himself sick with worry.
“Aguilar took after our father, I our mother.” Callum followed him, taking in the improvements his brother had made since the last time he had been there. “We are twins. Fiercely protective of the other but have separate lives.”
“What is he doing tonight?” Máximo still had no idea what was going on, but by the tense conversations he knew it was bad.
“Nothing you need to worry about.” He assured the kid. Aguilar had warned him of the massive crush on Josephine. The kid was going to end up with his first real heartbreak. “How about I tell you about the time Aguilar was not so graceful, tripped over a rock and almost brought down a whole market stall … “
Aguilar took a moment to send a prayer to the Holy Mother to help him keep his calm before he knocked on the door. He was about to break his daughter’s heart, and likely destroy their relationship. The door opened hesitantly, a middle-aged man peering out to see who was on their doorstep after dark.
He flipped back his hood, giving a small smile. “We need to talk about your son, Erik.”
The man opened the door, only after he checked to see if Aguilar was alone. “What do you want with my son, Señor?” The tone was respectful, but he could hear the defense.
“This concerns more than him, but also my daughter.” He stepped into the house, then turned towards the back of the house where the wife stood in a way that blocked anyone from looking. Aguilar waited until the door was closed behind him when he called out for his daughter. “Josephine!”
“There is no one here by that name.” The wife gave him a reassuring smile, gesturing towards the empty front room.
“She has introduced herself to you as Judith.” Aguilar looked past her to the darkened room. “I know you are here. This is not the time to defy me.”
Josephine and Erik stepped into the room hands clasped tightly. “Papá.”
The older couple glanced between the couple, over at Aguilar, then focused on their son. “Erik, what is the meaning of this?”
Erik pulled Josephine closer. “I love her, and we knew …”
“No one would approve!” The woman snapped at her son, having the sudden realization of the precarious situation they were in. “Do you realize the danger you have brought to our house?”
“I assure you no one knows, but her mother and I.” Aguilar gave his daughter a hard glare. He held out his hand. “We need to go.”
“No.” She gripped Erik’s arm as if waiting to be pulled away from him. “I love him.”
“I know.” His voice was soft, a tone filled with pain and regret. “I can see that he loves you, and if there was a way for this to work, I would be the first to let you be with him. But you must know this cannot happen. The two of you have put both families in jeopardy. The Inquisitors do not care about love.”
“You lied to us.” The man glared at his son, tempted to pull him away himself. “You put all of us in danger.”
Josephine glanced at Erik’s parents. “Please. I will give up everything to be with Erik.”
Aguilar glanced at Erik’s father. “Sir?”
“My name is Jacob.” He held out his hand, gave him a look only father could understand.
“Aguilar.” He shook it, hopefully giving him a reassuring smile. “I am surprised you are still here many have fled south. Especially since Archbishop Gomez came into power.”
“We have passage on the next new moon.” He glanced at his wife, who came to stand by her husband. “We had no intention of stealing Judi … Josephine from her family. We had thought she was taking care of an ailing grandmother, who had encouraged her to flee.”
“I am not a victim! I made the decision to go.” She argued, glaring at her father.
“Do you honestly think the authorities would see it that way!” Aguilar snapped at his daughter. “You would have disappeared, and even if you kindly left us a note to say you ran off for love. I would have to report you missing to protect your mother and sisters. You know full well Gomez has targeted us, and you have made it worse.”
“Señor Aguilar.” Erik spoke up. “I love your daughter and knew who she was the whole time.” He ignored the gasp from his mother. “I want to spend my life with her.”
“At the expense of her mother and sisters.” He argued back, slightly pleased to see he did not flinch. “You will be safe, my family will not.”
“Erik, you must realize this cannot be.” Jacob frowned at his son, suddenly everything about the courtship had started to make sense. “This will put our own family, community in danger. We are lucky, Señor Aguilar is taking care of this personally and has not sent in the authorities.”
“I am sorry.” Aguilar looked at the young couple, he could see their love and fear of being separated. “Unfortunately, we do not live in a time where you will be accepted.”
“I will convert.” The couple said at the same time.
Both fathers sighed, looking at their children with affection.
“Erik.”
“Josephine.”
“This is my choice, Papá, you have to let me go.” Josephine refused to let go of Erik, hoping her father would understand. “What would you do to be with Mamá?”
“We didn’t have a bloodthirsty Archbishop who thinks he is saving the world one dead sinner at a time!” His frustration was getting the better of him. He took a calm breath, then gave her the hard truth. “This isn’t just about you! You are asking this family to lie for you, you are asking your family to lie for you. I know you will not forgive me, but this will not happen. Come with me now…”
“I am with child.”
“Holy Mother of God.” Aguilar crossed himself and looked heavenward. He could see Jacob and his wife saying their own prayers. He focused his hearing outwards and could hear the small heartbeat. His daughter was not lying to force him to let her go. He contemplated shipping both of them to Ireland but realized that would still be a problem. He could stick her in a nunnery then raise the child as their own. Or he could let her go, marry the man she loves and live a life. They would never see their grandchild or even know if they were safe.
“Señor…” Jacob hesitated for a moment, knowing what he was about to suggest was dangerous. Along with the fact he was not giving up a child, or grandchild. “We would protect her.”
“I would have to disinherit you. Never speak your name again.” Aguilar hated the emotion in his voice. “Tell your sisters that you left them, break your mother’s heart.”
“I am sorry Papá.” She had her own tears but held firm next to Erik.
He could barely acknowledge her, his own emotions too close to the surface. Instead, he focused on Jacob. “You said there’s transportation to get you out of town?”
“A boat is ready to take not just us but a few more families.” He trusted the Señor with the information as he had a reason to protect them all. “Two nights from now.”
He nodded, unhooked a small bag from his belt and dropped it on the table. “There should be enough to support your growing family. I only ask for a letter or something letting us know that everyone is safe.” Without a last look, he turned and left ignoring the call of his daughter.
Two days later Aguilar and Callum found themselves gearing up in the shop. They would make sure the families arrived at the ships safely. Normally, the soldiers and guards did not care if the Jews were fleeing the area, most of the time they encouraged them to leave. But they were not taking any chances with Josephine in the mix. They may not agree with the situation but would make sure everyone was safe.
Maria had taken a page out of her husband’s book and confronted her daughter. It had ended in tears, with Maria leaving her daughter behind. She locked herself in their room, only for Aguilar to let the girls into the room so they could mourn together. It was Aguilar who sent a package of white silks, with a small note for it to be made for the baby’s baptism. Though he knew the child would grow up Jewish, he wanted a part of his family legacy still visible.
When the back door burst open, it was their steady hands that kept Máximo from being dead on the floor. “I told you to stay at home!” Aguilar hissed at him, the blade sliding back up into the gauntlet.
He stared at the two, once again finding himself in shock and what he was seeing. He shook his head now was not the time for questions. “Guards are heading to the dock. Gomez discovered that the Jews are fleeing.”
“So instead of letting them go he plans on killing them?” Callum glanced at his brother this was beyond the norm. “You were not kidding about this arsehole. Do you think he knows Josephine is with them?”
“It does not matter, he will not harm any of them.” He flipped up his hood. “Well at least I can take my frustrations out on idiotic soldiers.”
Two hours later, the dock was covered with dead soldiers and the ship had set sail heading for Morocco. His daughter was gone, starting a new life with the man she loved.
“I am not sure if I hate her for the destruction she left behind, or admire the fact she got what she wanted, to be with the man she loved.” Aguilar stood on the edge of the dock, staring into the night.
“I can relate.” He grabbed onto his brother’s arm. “We need to leave before more show up. Plus, your boy has lots of questions.”
Máximo did have a lot of questions.
Aguilar was not shocked when the only words he spoke after the long lengthy explanation about Assassins, was simply. “Train me.”
And they did.
Callum glanced over at his Mate, remembering that year he spent in Spain, taking the pressure off the family, by being the ‘Assassin’ Gomez focused on, instead of Aguilar. It had taken a while for the family to recover their reputation once it was leaked that Josephine ran off with a Jewish man. There had been a mixed reaction to the situation, some had ostracized Maria and the girls, others had been visibly upset that the ‘dirty’ Jews had stolen a ‘good’ Catholic girl. The shop had been hit hard financially, some refusing to buy silks for baptism and wedding gowns from a man who couldn’t keep his daughter under control.
Callum had been tempted to just be done with Gomez but knew it would only make it worse. He wasn’t sad to see him go, when the church was done with his extremism called him back to answer a few questions. Plus, Aguilar was good at his job, and ended up with the latest must-have silks and textiles, selling them at a lower price than the bigger houses. Soon everyone had moved on with their lives, gossip turning towards Bridgette and Jorge, and their likely pending marriage in a few years.
“I never asked if you ever found out what happened to them.” Callum frowned, wracking his brain trying to remember if they discussed what happened to Josephine, not just the ramifications.
“A small note showed up years later, stating they were doing fine. She gave birth to a baby boy, named for his grandfather, Jacob.”
Callum cringed slightly, even that had been taken away from his brother.
“I saw them once. It was about ten years later. Beatriz had married Alonso, a couple years prior. Maria happily being grandmother to the three young children that came with the marriage. I was on my way to Masyaf to pick up Máximo, and boy was it a shock to see him as a full-grown man.” Aguilar stood from the bed, intent for a shower. “When Dastan sent me a note to go to the Ottoman Empire, to help Ezio and Yusuf.”
“Which is how Yusuf knew you.” Callum nodded, putting all the pieces together. “I had wondered, as by that time I was back in Ireland, working with Il Duce. It wasn’t long after that we ended up working to get Priests out of the area, due to Henry VIII bullshite, which slid into the Witch Hunts of James the whatever, and they finally got it right and behead Charles the Tyrant starting the English Civil War, but us Irish ended up with Cromwell … and next thing I know you’ve been shot by some idiot who saw himself as a Rogue Assassin, when reality he was just a traitorous wanker. The real Rogue is that Irish arse, who got stuck in Davy Jones locker, couldn’t have happened to a nicer bastard.”
“And you wonder how years go by so quickly.” Aguilar gave him a look then stripped out of his clothes, which got Callum to stop talking and stare. He laughed lightly. “If you want to know what happened you’ll need to pay attention instead of staring at my arse.”
“It’s a nice arse.”
“They settled into the northwest section of Morocco, a town called Chefchaouen, a refuge not just for Jewish but also Muslims. Needless to say, they were shocked to see me.” Aguilar wasn’t that surprised Callum ended up in the bathroom, leaning against the door to listen and watch.
“Papá?” Josephine stated before she realized. “I mean Señor Aguilar.”
He held back the flinch at being called by his name. “I was in the area on business, working on a new supply route. I, ” he hesitated and hated it, “wanted to make sure everyone was safe.”
“Come in.” She opened the door, letting him into a spacious and beautiful home. “Erik is tending the family business. Jacob is retiring soon, we lost Rebecca last summer.”
He had never got Jacob’s wife’s name during the whole situation. “How are you?”
“I am good.” She gave him a soft smile. “I am happy, truly.”
Aguilar nodded, taking in the home. It was simple, but nice and comfortable. “Both your sisters have gotten married.”
“Beatriz!? I had thought for sure she would become a nun.” Josephine fiddled with her apron, glancing towards the back room. “Our son is with Erik and Jacob, he adores his zyada. Would you like to meet your granddaughter, Miriam.”
“I would be honored.” He smiled when Josephine carried out a small four year old, who obviously just woke from her nap. “She is beautiful.” She had her mother’s coloring, except the eyes were a vivid green. “Can I hold her?”
The child was a bit shy, but curious enough to let Aguilar hold her, while she played with the ties around his shoulders. “You should not be lifting anything heavy in your condition.”
“How did you know?” She asked, hand covering the small bump.
“Your mother rubbed her belly the same way. Bridgette did the same with her two.” He smiled at the young girl, asking easy questions.
“You speak Hebrew?”
“I learned it.” Aguilar glanced over at her, seeing the contemplation on her face, trying to figure out the puzzle. When the door opened, he turned in a way that Miriam was protected, hand free to grab one of his hidden throwing knives.
Erik stood in the doorway, holding his son’s hand not quite sure what he walked into. He called out to his wife, asking if she was okay. It was the first time he truly got a good look at his son-in-law. He had Aguilar’s height, dark hair, yet blue eyes.
“He speaks Hebrew.” Aguilar stated with a smile on his face. “And I would never bring harm to your family. I would like to point out that I made sure you safely left Spain.”
Erik blushed slightly. “I apologize you have done nothing but protect us.”
He nodded then focused on the young girl, who was wiggling to get down to run to her father. Aguilar remembered when all three of his used to do the same. “Your family is beautiful.”
“Thank You.” Erik picked up his daughter, kissing her on the cheek, a hand resting on Jacob’s shoulder. “Thanks to you.” He glanced down at his son who was watching the scene intently. “Jacob this is …”
“An old friend of your Ima.”
Erik took a deep breath, giving a small nod. “Would you stay for dinner?”
Aguilar wanted, desperately wanted to spend time with his daughter and grandchildren, but knew it was not a wise idea. There would be too many questions on who he was, especially as he did not look old enough to have a daughter in her thirties and two small grandchildren.
“I would love nothing more, but I should be going.” He gave his daughter a small yet sad smile. “It was good seeing you, Judith.”
“As you Señor Aguilar.”
He gave them a quick nod and headed for the door taking a moment to pause, there was a reason he came by, not just to see them after all these years. “Your children if they should end up with a gift with metal. It is part of the family and should not be feared.”
“What is this gift?” Erik’s tone indicated that he was not at all surprised.
Aguilar glanced down at the children. “Abilities to work with metal in ways most would see as a form of evil. It is not, it is a family trait. Encourage, let them explore. Teach them not to show it off.”
“Why have you never told me this?” Josephine’s voice rose, ready to argue.
“You left your family and do not deserve family secrets.” He snapped, then took a calm breath. “It is a gift that can skip generations. I just thought it should be shared. Do what you will with the information.”
He stepped out the door. He had a boat to catch that would take him to Constantinople.
“Aguilar.” Erik stepped out of the house, closing the door behind him. “Thank you for letting us know. I have seen Jacob manipulate metal objects. I thought of having the local jeweler apprentice him.”
“It would be a good trade.” He gave the man a nod. “Take care of them.”
“I will.”
Aguilar got out of the shower, letting Callum help him dry off. “I tried to keep an eye on the family as much as I could. They ended up in Northern Italy, then later settled into what would become Poland.”
Callum frowned, not likely the implications. “Did the family survive?”
“Besides getting another Mate, the other thing that came out of his whole thing, was the discovering that part of the family did survive. During my ‘where the hell is my Mate’ campaign, I ended up at Master David’s, and found family. Paul Mallory, he’s from Scotland, Mated to Master David and Joshua of all things. Has one of those nice new shiny phones, works for M.” Aguilar slipped on jogging pants and a hoodie. “After we got you settled, I did some research, his grandparents fled Poland in 1932. Unfortunately, his grandmother’s sister and her family were sent to Auschwitz.”
“Weren’t there rumors of a kid bending the metal gate?” He had heard it from a few sources, but never could get any more information.
“I haven’t been able to find much information, and sadly the likelihood the family survived is minimal.” He settled back on the bed, not surprised Callum curled into his side. “Despite the fact we got completely distracted, Máximo is still ours. You’re the one that trained him for a year, then took him to Masyaf. I just picked the kid up from school.”
Callum chuckled at the image of the two of them making lunches and sending the kids off to Assassin School. Ysabel would just use the excuse to wear her ‘School Girl’s’ outfit, hair in pigtails with added lollypop to distract all the boys from being shanked in the liver. “We at least can blame Máximo for Ysabel.”
“Ysabel would’ve figured things out sooner or later. It was bad enough that she just showed up in the shop demanding information from Máximo. Even though technically the Inquisition was still going on, it wasn’t nearly as bloody as it was in those early years.”
“She would’ve seduced the Cardinal, sliced his dick off the moment he got it out. Killed the guards as she walked out of the building, after releasing any prisoners.” Callum was deadly serious the woman was a force to be reckoned with. “And that was before we trained her to be an Assassin and Máximo Turned her.”
“What I am hearing is that she takes after you?”
“Arse!” Callum laughed then pulled him into a soft kiss. “Despite our distraction down memory lane. This idea you have is amazing. We’re going to need it. Getting to Masyaf isn’t easy anymore, not that it was easy before, but it’s worse now. Having this facility will be helpful for everyone.”
“There’s so much money that I don’t know what to do with most of it. I needed to find something to be helpful.” He laid down on the bed, pulling his Mate next to him. “I figured it would be good to have a secondary facility. Dastan agreed. This is the first time we’ve been back since you hunted down that arse who shot me. I don’t think Nico has been back since his training, though I heard from Altaïr that Warrick finally showed up. It would be smart to have access to a place to hide or work on our skill sets.”
Callum leaned up on his arm and looked down at his brother. “After this incident you think we’re going to need it.”
“The Templars kidnapped ‘descendants’ of past Assassins.” And yes, he used air quotes. “You knew how I moved and fought, hence sliding into the simulations with ease, but you knew deep down you weren’t me, despite the drugs. Nazim is still trying to figure out himself outside of being Yusef. Our saving grace was their facts were so far off it was kind of sad, but the idea behind it is scary as fuck. What if they start using this to train people against assassins, use our own training and memories against us.”
“This really worries you.” He sat up in the bed and looked down at Aguilar.
“At first I was too worried about you, more focused on getting your mind as close to sane as possible.” He grinned at the eyeroll. “But it’s had me thinking about the horrible potentials. Dastan has been worried for a while about the Templar influence in businesses, governments, and society. They are getting more powerful, while we’re still hiding in the shadows.”
“Where we need to be.”
“Oh, that I agree with, but we need more than the Master Assassins we have. We’re lucky we have as many Vampire Assassins as we do. We have the knowledge and years, if not centuries, of skills. We could use those to train potential assassins, and if someone stands out to become a Master then smuggle them to Masyaf. Javert wants to give Clay more training. Spending time in a closer facility would be good, especially as he comes with two Mates. Jake mentioned a Rook, who is also a Vampire, he wants to train. Some chef who is really good with knives.”
“Richard?” Actually, that didn’t surprise Callum as much as it should have.
“You know him?” Aguilar questioned, he hadn’t had much contact with Jake, or his Rooks. He mostly worked with Javert and Nikolai.
“Met him a few times. Damn fucking good cook. I ate well when he ran the Rookery kitchen. Last I heard he had some show with his Mate. The man is huge, like Jake size, huge. I can see how your idea would work for him. He has the discipline, but not the time to be fully trained. He’s a chef, spends most of his time and focus on that, but giving him some skills would be smart. So having a training place where we can send potential assassins to give them a skill set but not full Masters, could work for Vampires and humans.” Callum was starting to see the bigger picture and agreed fully with his brother. “Does this mean dragging in Hansel, his bow skills are phenomenal, put Clay’s cat and Darim on high points no one would stand a chance.”
“Does the wife come with him?” Aguilar laughed lightly.
“You mean Mr. ‘I work for a Secret Agency’ who acts like he doesn’t know anything about our Secret Society.” Callum liked Ethan, the man had no fear, but didn’t really have the ability to stay still.
“He’s a spy. A damn good spy. We need those.”
“This is why Dastan reached out to the Thieves Guild.”
“They’re back?” He wasn’t sure that was a good thing but had to admit there were times when the guild was active, the thieves were useful.
“Didn’t you see Ms. Hot Pants?”
Suddenly the moment after the run made more sense. “That explains why she thought I knew her. She flirted with you, and I totally ignored her.” Aguilar shook his head laughing lightly. It had been a while since someone had mistaken one for the other. “Ezio was flirting with her.”
“Ezio flirts with everything. I swear he was sweet talking his coffee yesterday.”
“Accurate.”
Callum settled back into the bed, curling next to his Mate. “Who are you going to get to run the place?”
“Was thinking of Beatriz and Sayyid. They don’t take shit from anyone.”
The couple was a surprise to so many. Beatriz a fiery redhead, who can and does use a broadsword to take heads off. Every inch a Catholic woman, who was married to a Muslim man, who was quiet yet formidable. Sayyid was a Master at picking locks and getting through traps. The hilarity was always watching people respond to the lovey dovey couple, that was completely mismatched perfectly.
While he did his daily prayers, she prayed her rosary or a chaplet.
He never asked her to wear a hijab, she wore one when they went to the Mosque.
She observed Ramadan, while he observed Lent.
The two held hands, had sickening nicknames for each other, he always brought flowers, she baked him treats, and they killed Templars.
They were Mates before they were Turned.
“Good choice.” His eyes drifted shut, the two fell into a comfortable sleep.
***
He was not surprised to find the kids standing in the front entrance of the Assassins Headquarters, all lined up, arms crossed looking pissed off.
Aguilar returned the hard stare, not backing down.
“You could have called us.” Máximo had grown into a formidable Assassin. He ended up taller than Aguilar and had a stronger build. His dark hair was a mess from running his hands through it. The dark eyes were assessing his surroundings. He wasn’t sporting the Assassin gear, looked more like an Archeologist or some war journalist. The khaki pants had way too many pockets, each filled with weapons, the tan shirt, had the sleeves rolled up, and the vest he knew was light Kevlar and carried more weapons. He had come a long way from the young street rat Aguilar picked up so many years ago. “Why the ever-living fuck did you not call us!”
“Language!” Aguilar snapped. It didn’t matter how many years had passed they would always be his kids. He ignored his Mate’s snicker from behind him.
“Really old man.” Ysabel tilted her head, one of her braids was flipped behind her shoulder. Like most of the woman Assassins, her main gear was a soft under suit covered with leather and Kevlar. When she was Hunting particular criminals, she had a tendency to use her ‘School Girl’ outfit, a short blue pleated skirt, white button down tied just above the waist. To this day he never knew where she kept the weapons, and honestly didn’t want to know. Today though she matched Máximo. The pants were darker and the t-shirt she had on was inappropriate, which the white button down tied at her waist didn’t hide. He couldn’t help but love her from the moment she stalked into his shop demanding to talk to Máximo. “I know what you do with that mouth.”
“Pray for your souls.” He shook his head, then looked heavenward crossing himself as he asked Teressa for help dealing with his wayward children.
Máximo’s lips twitched, before he broke and made his way across the room and into his Papá’s arms. He held him tightly, having been worried sick since he got the news about the whole Templar situation. “Seriously Aguilar, why didn’t you call us. We would’ve been there. Callum is part of our family.”
“You were already on a mission.” He held him close, then kissed his forehead. “I wasn’t going to call you in, and let those traffickers get away.”
Mateo slipped in behind Máximo, giving Aguilar his own hug, patting him on the arm. Then eased behind him and pulled Callum into his arms holding him tight. Callum wrapped his arms around the smaller man. He always had a soft spot for the quiet Assassin. His dark hair was in disarray as usual, the typical stubble he wore to make himself look older was rougher than normal, which meant they had come straight to Masyaf from their mission. It explained the war correspondence look they all had. It was likely how they got across the borders. Mateo must have been playing the cameraman with the jeans, t-shirt, and hoodie he was wearing.
“I’m fine.”
Mateo stepped back, gave him a once over, not believing a word.
“I’m getting better.”
He gave a nod, then took his spot next to Máximo, watching silently.
“You should know that the secret’s out.” Aguilar glanced at the kids, noticing that Ysabel was checking out Ms. Hot Pants, he tried not to roll his eyes. Ysabel was as much a flirt as Ezio. The only reason those two hadn’t had a quick one up against a wall, was Altaïr would hurt them.
“Which particular secret?” Máximo glanced around the entrance, noticing a few of the non-Vampire Assassins were watching them intently. A few of them were bluntly staring at Ysabel. By the sporting smirk, she was likely going to shank at least two of them, before or after she got off, he wasn’t sure.
Mateo rolled his eyes, grabbed his Mate’s hand, motioned towards a more private area. The small family made their way into the back gardens. All five took a moment to scout the perfect location to make sure they were alone, before getting comfortable in the back near the cliffs. Aguilar sat easily on some old stones, Callum settling next to him. Ysabel sat down on the grass, legs out leaning back on her hands enjoying the sun. Máximo perched on one of the benches, Mateo settled next to him.
“So what big secret is out? That you’re an idiot for not getting back-up?” Máximo gave his Sire an all-knowing look.
Aguilar gave Callum a look as if saying ‘see they take after you’.
“Wait. Are you telling me these idiots finally figured out you to been fucking like Mates for centuries?” Ysabel fell onto the grass laughing hysterically. “Oh, wow, I actually thought everyone was just too prudish to say anything.”
Máximo looked heavenward and crossed himself, in perfect timing with Aguilar.
“Okay you’re right she gets it from me.” Callum shook his head, chuckling at her antics. “A lot has come out because of this situation.”
“Like what?” Máximo asked with concern. “I mean, I kinda get that we had an in to your relationship, being the kids and all, but what’s going on. What the hell happened?”
They gave them a quick run down on the situation, including the three new trainees they had. Aguilar could see the worry in Mateo’s expression, Máximo was taking in everything before asking a million questions, and Ysabel looked ready to Hunt.
“Do they know about Count Aguilar?” Callum glanced at his brother, but by the three confused expressions he had his answer. “Oh wait, I need popcorn for this.”
Aguilar was starting to think jumping off the cliff and taking his chances with Drogo would be a better option than the situation he was in now. With a sigh and a last prayer, he explained everything about Stephen and inheriting his lands, and how the fact he was now officially Count Aguilar, plus the ninth richest man in Spain, then quickly distracted them with the new Assassin training facility. He was likely going to get a few choice words from all of them later, but at the moment they seemed to take it with interest.
“I’m not surprised, considering how close you were with Brigid.” She still missed her friend even after all these years. “I remember when she arrived in Spain. It was when I realized that the friendship you built with Stephen was stronger than I thought.”
Callum glanced between the two, not sure how he felt that the kid knew more about the situation than he did. He took a calming breath, reminding himself that Aguilar still didn’t know how he was Turned, or the full story on his Hunt for Shay Cormac.
“Aguilar has been catching me up on how he met Stephen, I hadn’t realized he hated him that much to leave him everything.” Callum reached over and squeezed Aguilar’s hand knowing his brother could sense his conflicting emotions. “You must see the sheep pen!”
He pulled out his phone and flipped through the photos until he found the ones he downloaded, then handed them to Mateo, who he knew would appreciate it the most. The smile was huge as he went through the images, he showed them to Máximo who rolled his eyes, though leaned over and kissed his Mate on the Temple. “We’ll go and let you play with the sheep.”
Mateo gave him a warm smile, making sure his Mate felt his love through their Bond. Máximo nodded, then let him and Callum gush over the sheep.
Many had worried about the two of them Mating.
Concerned that Mateo would be too much for him to handle.
He always rolled his eyes at the comment, very openly.
Mateo wasn’t an idiot, his mental health was better than his and Ysabel, considering what he had gone through. He just chose not to speak. The only time he ever heard his Mate’s voice was when he gave his yearly swearing of the Assassin Creed.
Máximo didn’t need to hear the words to know what his Mate was feeling. When they Bonded, he felt everything, Mateo had never in their life together closed the Bond between them, even in their worst moments, it stayed open.
He took the seat next to his Sire, still concerned over what had happened. He understood why they weren’t called in, they were dealing with human traffickers, men who were prying on young vulnerable refugees and sending them into the sex trade. They had been undercover for over a year, infiltrating from both sides, until they were able to identify the head honchos. Once they were able to establish where the leaders, buyers, and refugees would be in the same location they called in Javert.
Once the smoke cleared, Javert told them what had happened.
He leaned against Aguilar, who was giving more detail about the new training facility, which as far as Máximo was concerned sounded awesome. It had taken them weeks to get into Syria. Once they were in the country, they ended up dealing with insurgents, before they could disappear into the mountains.
He was not surprised Aguilar was building them a home. He was Papá in every essence of the word. They loved Callum equally, he was their cool uncle, who let them get away with shit.
All of them agreed that there was something about Aguilar that screamed Papá Bear.
Not that anyone would say that to his face.
Máximo, Mateo, and Ysabel may be the only Vampire Children, but Aguilar had raised many other kids over the years. He always was giving money to organizations that helped kids, wayward teens, and scholarships for the underprivileged to get advanced careers. At the moment, they knew Aguilar was keeping his eye on a young boy, who was training to be a Fencer, and from what he heard the kid was on his way to the Olympics.
‘His name is Marcus, he’s twelve.’ Ysabel settled at the booth of the bar they usually frequented to gossip about Papá. ‘And he’s good. I don’t know much about all the rules, but he took out three opponents in like minutes. Two of them were in the next age bracket.’
‘Jayme is going to start training him,’ Máximo stated. He had overheard Aguilar and Jayme talking about getting the kid transferred to a private school, so he could get personal lessons. ‘The man is deadly with a blade. Papá forced me to train with him, and he kicked my ass, even after all my years of being a Vampire, trained as a Hunter, and an Assassin.’ He paused, glancing at his Mate, who was grinning. He could feel the humor and practically hear the ’cause you suck at being subtle and elegant’.
‘I think more is going on.’ Ysabel shrugged, not sure what, but the kid was likely going to be joining their ragtag group at some point. ‘He kinda looks like Peter, and his name starts with an M. So of course, Aguilar is going to adopt him and make him one of the kids.’
Mateo just gave her a look, one of his eyebrows lifted.
‘My middle name is Maria.’ She rolled her eyes at them. ‘Máximo, Mateo, Maria, and Marcus. Papá has a theme going on.’
‘What about Brigid?’ Máximo gave her a look. ‘I know she was Turned by Stephen, but she was part of our group, even if she wasn’t an Assassin.’
‘Her last name was Maturin.’ Ysabel sipped her drink, knowing she won the argument.
Aguilar had been Máximo’s only real father figure, and he loved his Papá deeply. His loyalty lies with him, before the Assassin Order.
When everything had gone down with Josephine, his poor fifteen year old self hadn’t been sure which part had been more shocking. But from that moment on, he knew what his future entailed.
The two trained him for a year, while he helped Callum take the pressure off Aguilar and the family.
Then at age sixteen, he journeyed with Callum to Masyaf to become an Assassin.
It would be over ten years before he saw Aguilar again. The fact the man hadn’t aged in all those years, hit home the Vampire aspect of the whole situation. He also realized how much he missed his Papá. Máximo was eager to go home and take over Nerha Silks. Bridgette had been relieved that he was taking over, as she had been focused on her husband’s business, with no interest in the one Aguilar built.
Máximo asked to be Turned, as he knew at some point Aguilar would have to ‘die’.
After Beatriz’s death, closely followed by Maria’s, he laid Aguilar de Nerha to rest next to his beloved wife and daughter and set out to be the man his Papá raised.
If he had thought the ten years training to be a Master Assassin was a learning experience, those thirty he spent without Aguilar was even more of a valuable life lesson. Máximo had learned much about society, the church, perceptions, love, betrayal, and loss.
There had been no intentions in getting married, yet he found someone to love. Helen was a beautiful young woman, who was pregnant and abandoned by her family. Máximo hadn’t cared about his reputation and married her quietly by a local priest. Society had ignored the ‘early birth’ of their daughter, Isabella, happy to believe Máximo was the father, despite everyone knowing the father was the Don of the house she worked for.
They learned to love each other, ended up with a strong relationship, and in time she became a Chosen One, though never learned about the Assassins. Máximo raised his daughter to be a strong independent woman, which gave him an insight into his Sire and the reality of raising strong women in a society that didn’t like anything out of the norm. She married a good man, and gave them grandchildren, never knowing the circumstances around her birth.
When Aguilar returned, Máximo introduced him to his son-in-law, Thomas, and grandson Alonzo, as a potential buyer for the small textile shop. Since Thomas was solicitor, and Alonzo was looking to follow his father’s career path, there was no interest in taking over the shop. Máximo soon ‘passed’, the shop was transferred back to Aguilar, and the two left the town and old memories behind.
Twenty years later they found Mateo.
Most people never realized that the Spanish Inquisition ended in the 20th Century. Throughout those years, there were moments, where the local priest would pull someone aside and let them know their behavior wasn’t in accordance with the church. Then moments when people would be tortured and executed for refusing to do what a power-hungry asshole wanted.
And then there were times the Templars got into the local politics, and everything went to shit.
It was this particular situation that led them to Mateo.
Máximo still holds a small nugget of guilt that they weren’t fast enough to save Mateo’s family, or the citizens of the village.
Aguilar had set up shop in Madrid, which had surprised him, as he expected they would settle either closer to the Clan home in Seville or near a port. It was later, Máximo discovered about Teressa, and Aguilar’s dedication to protect the Carmelite nuns.
They had just returned from Valencia, where their shipping headquarters was located, when they received a note from Maximus, who was stuck in Geneva. One of their spies had reached out, stating that the Templars were targeting a village, outside Murcia. They had discovered the families were hiding an Assassin they were looking for.
They rode out that night.
It had taken two days and three horses to get there, only to find a burned-out village.
The Templars hadn’t found the Assassin, so they destroyed the town.
Killed everyone and burned everything to the ground.
Máximo swore to find every single one of the bastards and kill them.
He watched as Aguilar fell to his knees in the middle of the village square, head bowed, as tears slid down his face, prayers spilling from his lips. Máximo couldn’t find it in him to pray, wanting only to kill. He stepped away from his Sire, wiping angrily at his own tears, when he heard a barely there heartbeat. With a yell to Aguilar, he followed it, finding a young boy, curled next to his dead mother. Aguilar gently picked him up, only to get stabbed for his effort.
He chuckled softly, pulling the knife from the small hand. “You still have fight left in you.” He wiped away the ash and blood from his face, then motioned towards Máximo for bandages. The boy’s wounds weren’t deep but would need to be taken care of, before fever set in.
While Aguilar took care of the child, Máximo went into Murcia, where he blackmailed, bribed, and threatened the local bishop into making sure the dead were buried. Even to this day the village destruction was only whispered on the darkest of nights.
It took a while before they could get the boy’s name.
Mateo.
Without hesitation Aguilar adopted the boy and set him up in their home back in Madrid. The young boy was traumatized and barely spoke. It took months to get the full story of what happened, but it was his description of the Templars that allowed Máximo to hunt the bastards down. When he came back, Mateo was looking healthier, but was shy and stuck to Aguilar like glue.
It was a few weeks afterwards that he realized the itch under his skin hadn’t been just an Assassin wanting vengeance against the Templars, but the Vampire had been an even stronger influence.
Mateo was his Mate.
A six year old.
“He is my Mate.” Máximo ran his hands through his hair, pacing the shop floor. Mateo was back at their home, being watched by one of Carmelite nuns who had offered her service to help the young boy.
“You need to leave.”
Máximo blinked, not quite sure how to respond to the request. “What?”
“I love you as my son, you know this.” Aguilar pulled his oldest boy into his arms, feeling the turmoil in their own bond. “I would never abandon or replace you.”
“Feels like it.” He muttered into the shoulder, taking in the scent that always reminded him of home. “I am really conflicted and confused. I do not know what to do.”
“I know the feeling you have right now, the pull towards him. The desperate need to protect, but the overwhelming feeling of wrongness.” He cupped his cheek, giving him a sad smile. “I do not wish for you to leave, but it would be good for you and Mateo. He does not need to grow up with an expectation. And you do not need to tear yourself apart watching from a distance.”
“Who was your Mate?” He sensed that his Papá understood the conflicting emotions. He had never seen him with anyone, only Maria … “Did Mamá not want to be Turned?”
“She was not my Mate.” Aguilar ran a hand through his hair, pulling most of it out of the tie. He stepped away from his Childe, not sure how to explain his situation. They had kept it hidden from everyone, only one who knew was Maria. And despite her love for him, it had pushed against her sensibilities. In the end, it was her love for them that helped her accept.
Máximo frowned, feeling fear along his Bond from his Sire. As a young teenager, he thought Aguilar feared nothing, especially the way he took on soldiers and Inquisitors. It took growing up and having a family of his own, when he realized that Papá had not feared death, but feared not being able to protect his family.
But this was something more, he was actually afraid of Máximo.
“Aguilar? Please do not fear me.”
“No one accepts it. It goes against …”
“Since when do we care what the church says?” Máximo threw his Sire’s own argument against him. “I know you loved Maria. I would never look down upon you because you have found a Mate and loved another.”
With agitated movements, he yanked the tie out of his hair and quickly tied it back, with strands still escaping. “My Mate is the closest person to me. The one who has been by my side through all of it, through everything. I love them beyond reason and will kill for them without hesitation. But even Vampires who understand how the soul calls for the one chosen for them, do not always understand.”
“Unless you tell me it is a Templar, and even then, I would just kidnap them and convert them to the ways of an Assassin, there is nothing you can tell me, that would change how much I love you.”
“Callum.”
Máximo blinked a few times, feeling like that fifteen year old back when he first met his Sire’s twin brother. He remembered how they moved around each other, the language they spoke, and the devotion they showed.
“How the hell did I miss that!?” He focused on his Sire, hating the hesitation. “I am not one to judge. Everyone has told me that having a Mate is beautiful and a gift. Mine is just a boy … ” He sighed, realizing why he had to leave. “I can understand now. What is your suggestion?”
“How about training with Callum.”
“I thought you loved me.” Máximo gave him a smirk, getting his Sire to truly laugh.
He spent ten years working with Callum, getting updates from Aguilar about Mateo, who was likely going to be an Assassin when he grew up. It was not the greatest situation, his Spanish blood stood out, no matter how well he spoke English, and learned Gaelic. And, when he pissed off the MacManus brothers, Callum shipped him to Masyaf.
Only to be snatched by the Medjai in Morocco and sent off to Siwa.
Where he got the shock of his life.
When he met Bayek, it was like looking in a mirror. It would seem that his family line started somewhere in Egypt.
While in Ireland, he learned never to mess with a Fairy Tree. Since he was a child he understood suspicions, legends, and folklore, then he grew up. But despite the fact he truly didn’t believe that touching the tree stump in the middle of the field would bring the wrath of the fairies, he still didn’t tempt it.
In Siwa he learned everything about the Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt, and the fact that those deities never really went away, they were just hidden.
Come to find out his ancestor was crazy, whose Mate wasn’t much saner, as far as Máximo was concerned.
But damn did he acquire some new skill sets, to the point he could be Bayek when it was needed. Wearing his great great … a few millennia great … grandpa’s Assassin’s outfit made him cherish the one he had that covered every inch of skin, but it was better than the gear his ancestor wore when he did the work of Khonsu.
Meeting the extremely tall Egyptian God of the Moon with his bird skull head, should have been more shocking and terrifying.
But then he knew not to mess with the Fairy Tree.
He had finally received that one letter, telling him it was time to come home. When it arrived, Aguilar told him that Mateo had trained in Masyaf, and was a Master Assassin. When he returned to Spain, he had requested to be Turned. There was a small note on the bottom of the letter from Mateo asking for Máximo to come home.
The letter was three years old.
He set off the next week, and it would take him a little over two years to get back.
In all of his travels, he had never once had been shipwrecked, but he lost count the number of times his horse, camel, donkey had been stolen. The only time his travel party had never been raided was when he was with Bayek.
Because even horse thieves, learned not to fuck with the Moon God.
By the time he made it back to Madrid, it had been just over thirty years since he left.
“What do you mean he does not speak?” Máximo had dropped his gear into his bedroom, a part of him happy to see that Aguilar kept it for him. The last part of the trip was long, and truth of the matter all he wanted was a warm bath and shave. He looked like an escaped convict.
“The trauma of what happened still lingers. He can speak but has chosen not to.” Aguilar gave him a once over, cringing slightly at the smell. “I’ll have the servants bring up some water. Get clean, get some food and we will talk in the morning.”
“Where is he?” He had no idea what his Mate looked like, or what he was like. All he knew was that he had trained to be an Assassin, was exceptional at hiding in the shadows, and getting into places no one else could.
“On a mission. I figured it would give us time to catch up.” Aguilar gave him a warm smile. “I want to hear about your adventures. I have missed you.”
Máximo smiled when his Papá pulled him into his arms and held him tightly. “I have so much to tell you.”
He cleaned up, then slept for a day.
The two sat down and talked about Máximo’s adventures. Aguilar admitted he had never visited the Medjai, it was not a culture he knew, and was fascinated to learn more about Bayek. Máximo in turn listened with rapt attention to stories of Mateo.
He had no idea how he was going to get to know his Mate, especially if the man didn’t speak.
“Do not push him to speak.” Aguilar glanced at his boy, feeling the uncertainty. “I know you are trying to figure out how to communicate with him, just be patient and learn his language. Remember he is not deaf or stupid. There is only one moment you should push to make him say the words out loud.”
“I have so many questions and concerns.” He took a deep breath. “I want this. Him. But it is a lot to figure out. I do not want to lose his trust in me.”
“Make him say out loud that he wants to Mate with you. I understand why he doesn’t speak, but when it came to being Turned, he had to put into words what he wanted to make sure there was no misunderstanding.” Aguilar stood from his seat and went over to one of the credenzas on the far wall, grabbing a bottle of wine. He smiled softly to himself, remembering Maria stealing the good stuff. He poured two glasses, handed one back to Máximo and sat down. “He will make what he wants and needs clear. He is a damn good Assassin.”
“Can I do this?” He was tempted to down the whole glass.
“I have no doubts the two of you were made for each other.” Aguilar gave him a smile. “And once you two Mate, you will make a formable team. God help the Templars they will need it.”
In the beginning of their courting, Máximo overcompensated by talking all the time. Not that it wasn’t that hard, he tended to ramble about everything. Mateo had kissed him just to shut him up. In time he did learn every nuisance of his Mate. At the time sign language was crude and even now they have their own version.
“I love you.” Máximo cupped Mateo’s face smiling softly. “All of you, including your weird eating habits, and tendency to squirrel things away. Even your inability to tell the difference between green and blue.”
Mateo rolled his eyes, though the quirk of his lips showed his humor.
“I know why you do not speak. It took time for me to understand and appreciate you not stabbing me in the process.” There was a soft chuckle, something Máximo had learned to enjoy hearing. The small noises he did get, soft laughter, pleasured moans, and even the pained groan after a fight. “But I need to hear from your lips that you want this. That you want to spend eternity with me, as my Mate.”
He pulled Máximo into a heated kiss, then leaned back only an inch. “You belong to me, Máximo. I want you, need you, and I will spend our life together showing you how much I love you.”
It was his favorite memory.
Ysabel once asked if it was hard for him not hearing ‘I love you’ from Mateo. He heard it once, it was the sweetest thing, and more powerful than hearing it daily.
It amazed him even now in ‘modern’ society how many people still treated Mateo like an idiot, but man it came in handy learning information. Everyone always thought since he didn’t speak, he couldn’t hear their super secret evil plans.
He started slightly when Mateo poked him, he hadn’t realized how deep he had dived into old memories. Máximo glanced up to see the phone in his face, a picture of sheep in a castle. “Why are the sheep in a castle?”
Callum laughed.
Ysabel stood and snagged the phone. “Oh my God, that is adorable. How did you get them out of the original castle?”
“Had to bribe them with their own.” Aguilar shook his head at the children. He glanced over at Callum who gave him a soft sappy smile. “There is something we have to tell you.”
“You’re not allowed to get a divorce.” Ysabel flipped through a few of the pictures bouncing at the adorable sheep.
Both men rolled their eyes, at their antics.
Aguilar took a deep breath his hesitation got all three’s attention. “Hey, whatever it is, we got your back.” Máximo reached over to pat his Papá’s shoulder.
Callum figured this was more his story to tell. “First thing I want all of you to promise not to go on a killing rampage.”
“It’s never good when he starts with that.” Ysabel settled back on the ground, handing the phone to Mateo who sat cross legged on the ground in front of Máximo. “And I hate when they make us swear not to do damage, it means we will want to do damage and we can’t, and it sucks.”
“Aguilar had the great idea of building this new headquarters. It’s awesome and let’s admit I know little about Spanish society, so not attuned with the hassle most of Stephen’s inheritance meant.” Callum may have been pissed at first, but the more he investigated it, he appreciated his farm in Ireland. There’s some nasty politics in Ireland, especially with the history with England, but damn what Aguilar was going through was nothing he would wish on his worst enemy. “But after what happened with my kidnapping the headquarters may prove to be more valuable.”
“How about explain what exactly happened, not the summary you gave earlier.” Máximo suggested giving Uncle Callum a pointed look. “As all we got out Javert, was that you went hunting at some Templar meeting in London.”
Callum took a deep breath and went into more detail about the whole situation. He was thankful, none of them interrupted, but he could see their horror turn towards anger. “We’re here because at times I still see Aguilar well, the 15th Century him. This technology can be valuable, yet dangerous. We need to step up our technological game with the Templars.”
“We also need more Assassins.” Máximo glanced over at Aguilar, it was obvious the two had a conversation or two about the situation. “I can see how this training center can help.”
“What’s going to happen to this Templar facility?” Ysabel asked. “It’s in our backyard. Can we take it over?”
“Actually, I have no idea,” Callum shrugged. “We know someone who could probably answer that …” He paused glancing at Aguilar. “We’re going to have to tell them.”
“We’re still trying to work it out ourselves.”
“He technically is going to be their stepparent.”
Aguilar snorted. “Bayek may know him.”
“I’m not sure if that makes it better or not.”
“We’re going to have to keep them away from him.”
“It’s bad enough he’s going to have to adjust to us, your status, not sure how he feels about kids.”
“Can you two not do that!” Ysabel growled at the two of them, hating when they went into twinspeak. For years she tried to follow them, the only one who even remotely was able to follow their conversations was Brigid, and that woman had been gifted with languages. “Whatever it is you have to say, just tell us. We’ll find out sooner or later.
Mateo shook his head, arms crossed showing his displeasure.
“Fine.” Callum was thankful when Aguilar moved to his side, to show a united front. All three of the kids’ eyes narrowed, yeah this was going to suck. “During the situation, I noticed someone was giving me blood in a sippy cup.” He rolled his eyes at the smirks. “It was obvious someone had figured out I was a Vampire, more importantly was hiding it. Come to find out, it was a member of the Medjai. He was working undercover, Peter Quill, he’s Jake’s son.”
“Did they put him into this let’s steal memories of Assassins?” Máximo racked his brain trying to remember if he met the guy. “Wait, does this guy work for Henry?”
“Yes.” Aguilar glanced over at his kid. “Have you worked with the group?”
“No, but Bayek has mentioned him a few times. Nothing negative, but at the same time nothing good.” He frowned. “I know Henry collects all the weird shit. Ramy works for him, keeps his eyes on Archeological digs looking for stuff that shouldn’t get in the hands of the wrong people. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s tried to get some of the stuff Dastan keeps hidden.”
“I’m missing a coffee table, because he tried to take the Apple from Altaïr.” Aguilar shook his head, then made a note to get a new one. “Peter wasn’t put into the simulator because he may look like Jake but doesn’t have his grace, plus he knew their information was wrong, so it didn’t work.”
“That’s for sure.” Callum chuckled remembering how the poor guy tripped over his own feet. “The thing is, he helped as much as he could. Including getting info out to his team, who Aguilar was able to work with and raid the building.”
“Okay.” Ysabel tilted her head trying to figure out what this whole conversation was about. “When are you getting to the part that is going to piss us off.”
“Callum didn’t notice it, because of the drugs in his system.” Aguilar took Callum’s hand. “He’s our Mate.”
There were blank stares, a few head tilts, and then the questions erupted. Aguilar held up his hand, gesturing for them to calm down. “Callum needs time to heal. We need time to adjust to the idea of a Mate. Peter needs time to adjust to the idea of having two Mates, twins who happen to be Assassins. Lucky, he knows about the Order, because of his father and having worked with Altaïr.”
“Part of me isn’t surprised, yet this is very surprising.” Máximo shook his head, knowing that statement sounded better in his head.
Mateo was contemplative, then looked directly at Callum, using the sign they had built between all of them. ‘Are you okay with this?’
“I’ve gotten past the fact that he was part of the people who hurt me. Why Henry sent him I have no idea. The man isn’t made out to be a spy, hell how he’s Jake’s kid I have no idea. Most have taken after his mother. He’s a sweetheart, though if pushed I have a feeling the Frye blood will come out.” Callum gave them a warm smile. “But he will be a part of our lives.”
“Ahh we’re getting a stepdad!” Ysabel smirked. “You do realize we’ll give him the shovel talk.”
“I wouldn’t expect any less.” Aguilar rolled his eyes.
“Well while we’re on the whole family talk about our lives and stuff.” Ysabel hesitated then gave them one of the rare shy smiles. “I found my Mate.”
There were more questions, comments, and a few lifted eyebrows. “You do realize we’re giving them the shovel talk?” Callum snarked at her. “Tell us more.”
“Her name is Constanza, she’s awesome!” She went into detail about finding her, taking out some boys for getting too handsy. “She does Parkour, I saw her a second time when she did some pretty dangerous moves in the middle of Barcelona, which got some news attention. I was going to approach her, but we ended up going after those traffickers and then sent out here. I found a few of her social media pages, she works with kids at one of those Parkour studios. I’m not sure what to do, not really.”
“What, you never slept with a girl before.” He had no problem teasing his little sister, considering the shit she gave him and Mateo. He could feel his Mate’s humor, who was hiding behind him.
“Have you?” She snarked at Máximo.
“Children.” Aguilar stopped the fight before it even began. “Ysabel, we get it. After we finish up training, we’ll be heading back to Spain, you three can tag along. I’m pretty sure I can drive at least another wedge of hostility into my new status by letting you three play family. But after that we’ll be heading to Egypt to figure out our new relationship.”
Callum gave Ysabel a soft smile. “Show up, ask for a date, figure the rest out. Don’t wear the schoolgirl outfit until the third date.”
Which sounded like good advice all the way around, well except the schoolgirl outfit. It wasn’t a good look on either of them.
***
Dastan sent Callum out on his own, for a small job nearby. It was good for him, made him get back into his own mindset and fighting skills. They may be twins, and have similar styles, but they also had unique elements that were their own. He was gone for five days, taking out the warlord was the easy part. Being alone on the journey had been harder.
This whole situation homed in how much he loved Aguilar, and yet how much he didn’t know about him. The opposite was the same, he had no doubts about his brother’s love and devotion, despite the fact he knew little about Callum’s own life. They were too much alike at times, and needed the times away, but things were going to have to change. Peter was now a part of them, and he would need to learn about who they were, as much as they would learn about him.
He was enjoying this odd path down memory lane they were having. He had known Brigid and Ysabel were good friends, and that Stephen worked with Aguilar on occasions, but not to the point their vast fortune would be left to him. The more research he did, the better understanding of how much money was truly left behind, that hadn’t been marked for Sanctuary.
The amount he left for Sanctuary was astonishing, and Aguilar still tossed some at the Clan. From what he read the sloth sanctuary alone had funding for the next century. As it should be as sloths were adorable and needed protection from arseholes.
Vampires tended to acquire wealth over their long lives. Even the completely hopeless when it came to finances, learned to build nice nest eggs. His farm had been paid for since the 16th century, not that he hadn’t paid fees, taxes, and bribes a few times over the long years. Let alone the fights against British landowners to keep his land. In the long run he acquired the small farms around him, which gave him a decent amount of wealth. Nerha Silks had been a steady source of income for centuries, growing over the years until the 19th when the business expanded into the Nerha Silks International.
Jake’s got a stash hidden away in the Rookery.
Ezio owns lands in Florence that he doesn’t talk about.
Aveline has property in New Orleans that her father left, which she uses as a base of operations.
Javert is likely the most modest of them all, but he’s married to a doctor.
None of them act or show off the wealth, it wasn’t who they were. Even Nico, whose portfolio probably would hold up to Stephen’s, lives a comfortable life. He wasn’t going to enjoy watching Aguilar have to live the life of a Count, and all he could do is stand in the background. Once they get more comfortable with Peter, the idea of him playing … well he technically wouldn’t be playing … the boyfriend had merits. Keep those greedy bastards off their Mate.
When he got back to the castle, he felt good. The trip was a confidence boost, he still had it, and the fact he wasn’t seeing shadows meant he was healing. He talked with Aveline for a few moments, the smirk she was sporting meant she had done damage to someone’s ego. Mateo was stalking through the castle, likely teaching some novices to always be alert.
Callum dumped his bag next to the door stripped, dropping his clothes where they landed and enjoyed the much-needed hot shower. He leaned back against the tile, mind wandering to his Mate this time imagining Peter. He was bulkier and taller than them, would he be more dominating or soft and pliable. Taking his cock into hand, he stroked it just enough to feel the slow burn. The kiss they shared was sweet yet hinted at simmering passion underneath.
“Need help with that?”
Callum moaned at just the sound of his brother’s voice. He opened his eyes to see Aguilar leaning against the doorjamb, watching him intently. “Fuck.”
The grin was positively wicked as he stripped out of his workout gear and joined Callum in the shower. Without hesitation he took the mouth into a passionate kiss, swallowing the groan. Hands ran down the wet slicked skin, followed by his mouth. Aguilar slid onto his knees, forehead resting against the flat stomach, just breathing in his Mate. He felt Callum pull the tie out of his hair, then gripped the wet strands in a firm grasp. Aguilar’s hands slid up the strong thighs, holding them against the tiled wall as he licked along the underside of the hard cock, pulling a deep moan from his Mate. Taking the head into his mouth, his tongue swirled around it, knowing exactly how to get Callum to lose his mind. The pull in his hair was a good indicator, how close his brother was to letting go. A few more swirls, then he let it fall from his mouth, reaching with one hand to cup the balls, rolling them softly before a finger slid across the puckered hole.
A glance upwards showed Callum leaning heavily against the wall, eyes closed, mouth agape, lost in the sensations. He took the leaking cock into his mouth, swallowing it down, inhaling the unique scent. He relaxed just enough, then tapped the left hip. The grip in his hair tightened, almost painful but not quite. He opened himself up as Callum fucked his mouth, enjoying the humming through the bond of want, need, mine. It didn’t take long, before his Mate came down his throat, sagging against the tile, hand loosening its grip. Aguilar sat back, wiped his mouth, coughing slightly, blinking his eyes as the water poured down his face.
Callum pulled him up, pushed back the wet strands from his face, then pulled him into a passionate kiss. “God, I love you.”
“How about we finish cleaning up then take a nap.” His voice was rough, the smile soft.
“Best idea ever!”
The next morning, the two went for a run, nothing strenuous, but found themselves easily in sync. They ended up stopping at one of the small bakeries in the town, enjoying fresh bread and coffee. Their conversation flowed between new ideas for the sheep farm, Nerha Silks, the kids, and eventually onto Peter. They had been at Masyaf for a little over six months, and knew they should check in, deciding to write a small note that they were thinking of him, and looked forward to getting to know more about him.
They had the day off so to speak and decided to enjoy the peace and quiet by locking themselves in their room. Aguilar was leaning against the headboard, working on his computer, while Callum wrote the letter to Peter. “I’m still planning on making sure everyone knows he’s your boyfriend.”
“You do realize that would just mean they would focus on you, as I wouldn’t have an heir.” He glanced over at his brother, then focused back on the reports.
“Máximo can be your illegitimate son from that awkward crush when you were sixteen.” Callum nodded, plotting the whole scenario in his head. “You didn’t know about it, until he was five when she died tragically in a car accident. You raised him since then, a struggling single father. You’ve kept him hidden from all of the hoopla, to protect him.”
Aguilar had a small smile, if there was one thing Callum was damn good at, was coming up with a reliable story quickly.
“It would work, plus be an excuse to see him around the area.”
“And how do you explain Peter?” He asked.
“You realized you were bisexual in your twenties, and the relationship is new. Of course you didn’t want to expose him to this new aspect until he was ready.”
“I don’t want to.” Aguilar sighed, running a hand over his face. “I hate this.”
“At least if we establish Máximo, the money can stay in the family so to speak.” Callum finished the letter, then crawled onto the bed. “We’re going to have to tie this into a lot of Trusts.”
“Craterus cackled with glee. No seriously. It was kind of scary.” He set the laptop at the foot of the bed. “I hate that you’re right, but having Máximo play my kid, it will help keep it in the family. Plus keep the families from trying to marry off their daughters to either of us.”
“How did the two of you go from talking on occasions to becoming such good friends, to the point he left Brigid in your care, and a fortune that has too many zeros.” Callum could see how the friendship was building from what Aguilar had told him, and knew the two were friends, but just couldn’t see the leap from ‘friends’ to hey raise my kid and have a few hundred million.
“It started with that woman he married …” Aguilar blinked a few times at the computer when the teleconferencing program he had started ringing. Though Aguilar had his phone, he had turned it off needing the time to connect. They hadn’t found Callum’s phone in his gear, so likely it had been stolen. He wouldn’t be that shocked if a new one just showed up one day. His laptop was needed to keep in contact with business, and only came out during downtime. So, for the conference program to go off when a meeting wasn’t scheduled, it had to be important. He glanced at Callum who looked curious at who would be calling.
“Better answer it, have a feeling they won’t go away.”
Aguilar sighed then situated the laptop, so it was easier to have a conversation, yet kept Callum out of the camera view, then hit the answer button.
“There you are.”
“Matt?” He was quite surprised to see the owner of 4th Division Construction.
He had come highly recommended by Jake and Javert, for being a phenomenal carpenter and the ability to keep things on the down low. It wasn’t until he flew him out to Spain to talk about the project, that he realized besides knowing two Assassins, he had no idea about the Order. When he figured it out, he had only nodded and continued with the meeting as if nothing had happened.
In truth the man had been invaluable. The design ideas were exceptional, his team efficient, and if something wasn’t right it was dealt with before Aguilar lost his mind. The man was extremely laid back, took things with a grain of salt, but was alert to everything around him.
“Sebastian informed me that you were away. I normally wouldn’t bother you, as I’m sure whatever is going on is important.” The dark-haired man gave him a half smile. It was obvious he was on his phone and looked to be in one of the basement levels.
“How do you know Matt?” Callum spoke up, shocked to see the chippie that seemed to wander into the Rookery, fix shite, then wander out.
Aguilar glanced at his Mate. “His company is the one building everything. Javert recommended him, Jake backed it up.”
“Still here.” Matt chuckled lightly. “Is it okay to talk about … ” his free hand waved around as if indicating everything.
“This arse is my Mate.” Aguilar shifted the laptop slightly, letting Callum lean in. He was starting to look more like himself, the bushier beard, hair more ginger than auburn.
“Hey.” Matt didn’t even blink at the two of them, which made Callum respect him more. “Is he part of the whole red sash thing?”
“Yeah.” Aguilar waved his hand towards his Mate. “Callum, this is Matthew Thompson, but the question is how do you know him?”
“We never really met, but I’ve seen him at the Rookery, fixing stuff. You’re Mated to Richard, the chef.”
Matt laughed lightly. “Yeah, that right bastard is mine. He’s back in the states working on our show, he’s pissed I left him alone.”
“Show?” Aguilar asked, remembering vaguely Callum mentioning something about a show. “I admit I don’t know much about you personally.” All he really knew was that the man ran a multi-million dollar company, which had only gone International a few years earlier. It was the reason Javert recommended him, Matt had done the renovation work on the winery.
“It’s alright, I’m just a chippie at the end of the day.” Matt gave him a small smile. “Richard is a chef, and got recruited to star on the HOME Network, owned by Bruce Wayne. To make sure we can work together we came up with Kitchen Angels. We fix the restaurants of idiots who get way over their heads and have no idea why their restaurant is failing, and we do it in two days. We’ve just started filming the third season. So, I have an unhappy Mate, who got left behind with whiny owners.”
“Somehow I have a feeling that, just a chippie, is the last thing anyone would describe you as. You’ve put together an exceptional team that doesn’t need hand holding. So, I’m guessing whatever is going on is important.” Matt had left the states to fly to Spain to deal with whatever the situation was, so it had to be an emergency.
“With the residence section on the final stage, and the Event Center entering stage three and ahead of schedule, which includes building the paths around the ruins of the original castle, I had the lead team start doing the surveyor work on the ruins of the Abbey. He contacted me yesterday or the day before, I’m not actually sure what day it is.” That got them both to snort. “One of the surveyors fell through the basement floor, come to find out there’s a sub-basement, which I’m standing in.”
“Is the surveyor, okay?” Aguilar asked with concern for the injured worker.
“Unfortunately, he ended up with a broken leg, he’ll be okay, but off for the next few months.” Matt moved slightly towards what looked to be one of the corners. “The problem isn’t finding a sub-basement, it will make it easier for us to fortify the walls, without taking time to dig one out. The problem is what was found. The foreman sent me photos of it, which had me promptly getting on a plane.”
“What did you find?” Callum was now intrigued.
He turned the camera around, to show three old wooden chests. “I thought it was like the others you showed me, the ones we built the safe for in the office located in private residence section.”
Callum glanced over at Aguilar who rolled his eyes. “He’s referring to the four chests still filled with gold. Stephen’s wealth was mostly stored in chests. The number of times he lost them was astonishing, at one point Jack went into a bloody naval battle to get them back, thinking about it, I wonder if he was channeling Kenway. It took decades to get some of it secured into accounts, with Hector’s help.”
“I was going to take pictures, then move them until I saw this.” His camera focused on top of the trunks, to show the Templar symbol. “I figured this was worth contacting you for.”
“Fucking hell.” Callum muttered, staring at the image. “Do we know what’s in them?”
“Haven’t opened them.” They could only hear him along with some shuffling until the camera shifted and they could see Matt squatted down next to one. It looked as if he put the phone on one of the other trunks. They watched as he pulled a lock picking kit out of his tool belt and began to fiddle with the mechanisms.
“Didn’t know lock picking tools were standard for construction.” Callum was really liking this guy.
“Never know what you have to break into.” He smirked at the camera. “Besides my Mate is a Rook, this was the least offensive skill I learned.” It took a bit longer than normal, likely because the locks were rusty, but in the end the lid popped open. “Damn. That’s a lot of jewels.”
By the time he got the other two open, they had two chests filled with jewels, coins, cups, and other valuable materials, the third trunk was filled with books and paperwork.
“Can you tell how long they’ve been there?” Aguilar asked.
“Not an Archeologist, that would be Dr. Jones.” He gave them a look. “I can say it’s been a while, that subfloor needed time to rot out, but then again there’s no roof so rains could have caused flooding which would’ve weakened the floor.”
“Why does Stephen have Templar treasure in his basement?” Callum glanced at Aguilar the worry was obvious in his tone.
“Stephen wasn’t a Templar, believe me, and it ties into what I was just going to tell you.” He glanced back at Matt, who was ignoring everything they were saying. “Is there anything you can see?”
“Well, there’s no symbols carved anywhere. No signs of ritual sacrifice, or a ring of something to summon a demon.” Matt smirked at the two of them. “Also, no ‘I hate Assassins’ sprayed on the walls.”
Both chuckled, at the dry humor. “Can you tell what’s on the notebooks? Any dates?”
“Looks to be coded.” He had set the phone down again, so they could watch him look at a few of the books. “Some finances doesn’t matter the language, debt and credit columns are the same. I see letters, maybe meeting notes, nothing to indicate time or place. Some of these are hardbound, others loose leaf. If I had to guess, these could be from the 18th or 19th Century. I’m better at figuring out the age of houses than artifacts.”
“Mateo might be good to look at the files.” Callum glanced at his Mate. It would have to wait, until things were settled in Masyaf.
“In the meantime. I’ll personally get these put away, to minimize exposure. Considering the uniqueness of this build, my team has signed heavy NDAs. If something happens, let me know so I can fire the asshole.” Matt’s expression indicated he didn’t take betrayal lightly.
“Thank you for handling this.” Aguilar had already made sure that the company got plenty of exposure, not that it needed it, but he was going to make sure there was a bonus allocated for the team, and Matt. He didn’t have to fly out to Spain to handle the situation, but he did. Not because he was a Vampire, he had no loyalties to Integridad, but because it was a delicate situation and needed to be taken care of.
“No problems. If some Rook comes sniffing around, distract him with recipes.” Matt laughed lightly before saying his goodbyes and hung up.
“His Mate is the one Jake wants to train?” Aguilar closed the laptop this time.
“Yeah. Jake says the chef has some amazing knife skills and a damn good Rook. I don’t think he’s told him much about the Assassins, so how did his Mate end up working for one?” He couldn’t help but wonder.
“When I met with him, we discussed many aspects of the project. Javert was the one who mentioned him first, showed me the work he did for Passion’s winery and home base. He didn’t go into details, but Marek adopted him during the Second World War. Jake came up in the conversations, who basically said I would be an idiot not to hire him. Being a Vampire made it easier to handle most of the odd history, and I had figured since he knew Javert and Jake, he was in on the Assassin section.”
Callum tried to hold back the laughter but couldn’t help it.
“He had plans and drawings for the main residency and Event Center. Already investigated what permits we would need, the laws in dealing with historical buildings, and narrowed down sub-contractors who specialized in renovations. When I showed him the Abbey and described what I wanted, he had a confused expression. I instantly realized my mistake, then watched as he put all of it together. He just looked at me and went ‘okay’ and then stated he would need some good lawyers to write up airtight NDAs. I have a feeling he’s had more exposure to us assassins than the Mate.”
“I’m going to ask the hard question.” Callum shifted until he was directly in front of his Mate. “Are you sure Stephen wasn’t a Templar?”
“My life has been staked on it.” Aguilar assured him. “It wasn’t just me he knew about, but the kids. And we know Mateo could sniff out a Templar in a five-mile radius, and he adored Stephen. It was Mateo’s story that had Stephen actively working against Templars. And there is no way to tell if those trunks were there before he inherited, or if he found them stashed and forgot about them. He wasn’t always good at keeping track of things.”
“Okay so exactly how did all of this come together?”
“We’ve been on my memory lane for the past few months.” He gave his Mate a soft smile. “I understand why, as this whole situation has been a major upheaval, and it’s about time we had these conversations.”
He reached out, taking his brother’s hand. “I know there are things we need to talk about from my side, specifically how I was Turned and that traitorous arse Cormac.”
Aguilar nodded then squeezed his hand showing he understood. “It started with that idiot woman he married, Diane. The woman was not worth the trouble, the only good thing out of their marriage was Brigid. Talk about two people who should’ve never had kids. I don’t doubt they loved her, but neither really knew how to handle a child. Anyway, Diane tended to attract powerful men, sometimes the wrong men. She ended up getting caught up in a tangled webs of espionage …”
Aguilar stalked into the hotel, up the backstairs straight to the Templar’s room. He had been watching these particular bastards for months. The idiot woman, the one who had been manipulated into passing secrets was going to get herself killed, and likely others. He was technically in Javert’s territory, but he already knew Stephen was involved, and wanted to take care of the situation personally. As he moved down the hall, he noticed the door was wide open, his blade slid down into position as he stepped into the room.
He barely had any time to react to the situation.
One was already dead. He could see the blood pool flowing out of the bathroom. The other was pulling a weapon against Stephen, who had his own weapon ready. Aguilar didn’t hesitate, slammed the blade into Templar’s side, while reaching upwards and grabbed his head and with a hard yank, snapped his neck.
The man dropped to the floor dead.
Stephen had fired at his attacker, Agular easily moved out of the trajectory.
“You are working against my country Stephen, but considering I dislike Templars more than spies, I will forgive you.” Aguilar flipped the hood back, giving Stephen a hard disappointed look.
“Aguilar?” He lowered the gun and stared at his friend in shock. “What are you doing here?”
“Following rats, these men are part of a larger group of troublemakers. They have been manipulating women and men, getting them to spy and pass information.”
“Diane, she is a friend, I’m helping her.” He stared at the merchant taking in the outfit, not sure what to take of the moment. This was not the merchant who he had long discussions about philosophy with, this was a man who was deadly and showed no hesitation in killing. “What are you?”
“Just a humble merchant trying to make a living in this world.” He grinned, bowing his head slightly. “I trust you to get your girl and leave. I only ask that you leave the information behind.”
“Why would … ” Stephen was pretty sure any excuse would be pointless, but his spy mind would not allow him not to at least not try and talk his way out of the situation.
Aguilar held up his hand stopping whatever story Stephen was going to come up with. “I have known since you stumbled into my shop a gangly kid barely into adulthood. You are good at what you do, Stephen, and I normally do not deal with the affairs of politics, let alone international ones. But this situation is beyond you, leave it at that. Trust me on the years we have known each other.”
It was rare for him to be speechless but found himself staring at his friend for a few moments. With a frown he put his gun away. “The information…”
“Is nothing but lies.” Aguilar understood Stephen’s hatred for Napoleon. All of them were dealing with the arsehole. Javert was still dealing with ramifications of the revolution, while navigating a precarious political landscape, while relatively a new Assassin. “These men are about making the world in their image, and will use governments, politicians, bishops, and common man to get their way. Your friend is in serious trouble, considering how deep she got.”
“Will they try and kill her?”
“Without hesitation and anyone around her, including you. Which is why I am here.” He made sure to hold Stephen’s gaze. “You are my friend, and I will not see you harmed. I know your Captain Aubrey is waiting off the shoreline, likely pacing the length of his ship worried. Get Diane and yourself to safety.”
This was not the first time he had helped Stephen, though this time it was more personal. Aguilar was sure Captain Aubrey still had nightmares about that bear suit.
Stephen nodded, deciding to trust his friend. “It was what I was intending. I had no interest in sticking around.” He took a step towards the door, when Diane walked into the room, barely acknowledging the bodies or the situation at hand. She quickly made her away to one of the trunks, dug around until grabbing a bag holding diamonds. “Diane…”
“What I earned them!”
Aguilar clearly heard his brother in his head ‘like a good whore’, but bit back the comment. He knew Stephen was gone for this woman, why he had no idea, but a man in love was dangerous. “A lot of lives were lost because of those.”
She was startled at seeing Aguilar standing in the middle of the room. She shifted slightly as a hand smoothed down her dress. “I did not mean any ill will. This whole situation has been stressful and these could help me find passage home.” She then smiled at him, giving him a coy look.
Aguilar did not hide his disdain.
“Diane, go pack your trunk, we need to put all of this behind us quickly.” Stephen watched her leave, then regarded his friend. “Will I see you again?”
“My home is always open to my friends.” He gave him a warm smile. “I am sure you have many questions and will likely search for answers. Be careful Stephen, there are things in the dark that should not be shown the light. As you know.”
“I dumped the bodies and headed back to Spain. After that incident, he married Diane. Honestly, I still do not understand the circumstances, but for her safety it had to be done. Though considering how Catholic Stephen was, not sure if it was blessed by the church.”
Callum chuckled. “I remember you asking me to find information on the woman, the little I could get wasn’t flattering. He learned about Templars and decided to join in on the eternal struggle against evil.”
Aguilar gave his Mate a look but couldn’t help the smile. “He was way too focused on Napoleon at the time period, add in his adventures with Aubrey he didn’t have much time to contemplate Templars. I honestly didn’t expect to see him again, I was surprised when I received a letter asking for help.”
Don Aguilar de Nerha,
I had found it difficult to come to terms with the new things I learned during my last visit. It has taken me some time to distinguish the difference between who I have known for years and the man I saw that night. It was my dear Jack, who pointed out that I had no real reason to be distraught considering I was playing the same game.
I would have come to visit sooner, but so much has happened in the six years since we have last spoken. For one, I have a daughter. Brigid. She is brilliant for the young age of five. Over six months ago, we lost Diane to a carriage accident, Jack’s wife Sophie was kind enough to take her into her home, while we were at sea.
She has done an exceptional job taking care of Brigid, but I have noticed her needs are beyond Sophie, and I do not have a life that is suitable for a young child. There are also circumstances that does not allow for myself and Jack to be land bound.
I know this is a lot to ask, but honestly, I do not trust anyone else with my daughter. I have seen you with the brood you call your children. Despite Ysabel’s forwardness, you have protected her, more importantly raised her to be an independent woman, in a society who does not see that as a blessing.
I have no one else I can turn to, so I am asking you my dear friend. I need a safe home for Brigid, where I know she will be safe and given room to grow. For her young age, she is gifted with languages and already speaks Spanish like she was born there.
I eagerly await a response. It can be sent to the location listed below.
Your Friend
Stephen Maturin
“I still have the letter actually, it’s in with important papers concerning Brigid.” Aguilar’s smile faded, as the pain of losing two people he cared for dearly. “It’s been over a decade, and I miss them both dearly. Brigid was a beautiful soul, and I would drag that arse back from the dead just to kill him again for taking her head.”
Callum leaned over and kissed him softly. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. I should’ve been, despite the fact I never realized how close they were to you. I am your Mate and your brother, and you needed me.”
“I didn’t reach out either.” He pulled him closer, taking his mouth into a deeper kiss. “You’re here with me now, and we’ll be building something in their honor.”
“Though I do love the comment about Ysabel’s forwardness.” Callum snickered as it was the politest way to describe their daughter.
“Forward is one word for it.” He laughed lightly, remembering how Ysabel joined the family.
“There you are!”
Máximo glanced up from the ledger he was working on staring at the woman standing in the middle of the shop. It took him a few moments to remember where he had seen her, and even then, he still had no idea why she was yelling at him. “Excuse me?”
“I have been looking for you all over town.” She sighed in exasperation, crossing her arms across her chest.
“I do not know you.” He set the quill back into the ink pot, then stood to deal with the annoying woman.
“Your name is Máximo de Nerha, son of the owner of this fine establishment. We met at the Hernández party a few weeks back. We talked for hours about love and passion.”
Máximo gave her an unimpressed look. “You mean your engagement party to Juan Hernández? Where we were introduced for a few moments, and everyone ignored me as I was the son of a merchant. That party?”
“See you do remember me.” She gave him a bright smile, as she stepped closer. “Now declare your undying love for me, so we can get married, and I can leave the old bastard to his grave.”
“What is wrong with you?” He snapped.
“Máximo?” Aguilar stepped into the front room, taking in the scene. He could feel his Childe’s agitation and disbelief. “Señorita Lomelin, what brings you to Nerha Silks this mid-morning?”
“Señor Nerha.” She gave him a warm smile. “Your son has been kind and gracious to me, and I wanted to invite him for a walk.”
Aguilar glanced at Máximo, who was staring at the young woman in shock. “I do not think that would be wise, considering your engagement to Don Hernández.”
The sweet girl act dropped in seconds. “I am just going to be honest. The man is creepy and old. I am barely five years older than his granddaughter. He is annoyed that his first wife gave him a girl, who married well, which good for her, but much to his disappointment she gave him a granddaughter. The second wife was barren and decided to retire to a nunnery, lucky her. The last one, died to get away from the bastard. And do not get me started on how he treats his servants. I am the youngest daughter, so of course a rich creepy old man is a good match according to my parents. I will do whatever it takes not to marry him.”
Máximo was openly gaping.
Aguilar was holding back his laughter. For a moment, he wondered if it was his beloved Maria who came back. She had pursued Aguilar in their courtship, mainly to get away from the arrangement her parents had made with a local family.
“Máximo is polite, handsome, and I am sure he at least knows what to do in bed.”
Aguilar lost his battle and started laughing.
Máximo continued to stare, hands waved towards her as he tried to figure out some comeback to the statement. Mateo feeling his Mate’s shock, horror, humor, and audacity came out from the back room, wondering what was going on.
“Oh, I did not realize you had two sons, Señor.” She smiled at Mateo as she did not care who she married as long as it was not Don Hernández.
“Both of my sons are not available to be married.” Aguilar took a deep breath to get control of the situation. “I do understand your hesitation in this union. It is not a good match, and I am sorry your father has decided to sacrifice his daughter for a business deal.”
She rolled her eyes. “Well how about you?”
Máximo looked at his Sire, smirking as the pressure was now on him. “You are at least the business owner, not the son of one.”
“Marrying someone you do not know is not the only way out of this situation.”
“Do I look like a nun?” She slid her hands down her bodice then back up emphasizing her curves and a nice pair of breasts.
“I am sure the church will be lost without your dedication.” Aguilar shook his head, laughing lightly. Callum would love this one and would likely adopt her in seconds. He glanced behind him to see Mateo watching the scene intently, holding back on claiming Máximo in front of the woman. His youngest may come across as quiet and endearing, but he was a possessive bastard when it came to his Mate. “I admire you for finding a way out, but have you considered you are going about it the wrong way?”
“What other option is there?” She was intrigued.
“You could always become a widow.”
Máximo turned sharply to stare at his Sire, trying hard to communicate ‘What the hell?’
Ysabel blinked a few times, head tilted as she took in all three of the men. There had always been talk about Señor Aguilar, that he was a kind man, dedicated to the church. His donations to the Carmelite nuns were famously known. Many had wondered why his son Máximo was not married, but he had been seen out at nights, so many figured he was squandering his father’s money. The quieter one in the back, she had never seen.
“And tell me why I should not go to the Inquisitors about this?”
“Because your choices are young widow or nunnery.” Máximo focused back on her. “And as you clearly stated, you are not cut out to be a nun.”
She gave them all one last long look, then clearly made a decision. “Tell me more.”
Don Hernández was a Templar and had been influencing many businesses for his favor. Hence, the sudden arranged marriage to the youngest daughter of Señor Lomelin. Máximo had attended the party, to stake out the home, find a way in and out. Mateo acted the simpleton that no one paid attention to, doing odd jobs in the kitchen for a few coins.
Aguilar explained that unfortunately she would have to be the dutiful wife for a few months, and afterwards be the devoted widow, never able to remarry. That did not mean she could not take a lover, but to be careful in not conceiving a child.
“That is unlikely. I have always been unwell during that time, to the point of not being able to leave my bed.” Her voice was soft, tired. “I was told by one of the midwives that helped my sister with her child, that I would unlikely conceive and if I did, would likely not survive.” She found it easy to talk to Aguilar, he listened unlike her own family. “I am not cut out to be a mother, which is sacrilegious in society. I enjoy the company of men, but do not want to be a wife and mother.”
“Society puts too much pressure on women to be what they view as appropriate. Strong women are shunned, some even killed for stepping out of the norm.” He gave her a smile. “We will not abandon you.”
“You have been more a father to me than my own.” She leaned over and hugged him. “My mother has questioned why I have spent time in your shop. I told them I was haggling for the best silk for my wedding dress. She cried in happiness, that I had come to my senses and realized this was a good match.”
“Then you shall have the finest silks.” He kissed the top of her head, then gave her a wicked smile. “I’ll make sure to put aside some of our finest blacks.”
It was a beautiful sunny day when she married the creepy bastard.
It was even more of a beautiful day when she buried him.
It was the talk of the town, the horror that she endured when some thief broke into her home and killed her poor husband in front of her. She screamed the house down, the servants and her own mother finding her covered in the blood of her husband. It took days before she could meet with the authorities and tell the sordid tale.
Some speculated she was in on it, until it was announced she was not with child and all the properties went to the Hernández’ son-in-law. When they ceremoniously removed her from the property, Ysabel was forced to return home to her parents. Rumors started around town that the son-in-law had ordered the killing, and the trauma of it caused the poor widow to miscarry.
The black silk Aguilar provided was beautiful, and Ysabel made a fine-looking widow.
“So now that the creep is gone, his daughter and son-in-law are taking the brunt of the situation.” That was what they deserve for tossing her out, her parents were mortified and father was suing for the dowry. “Why did you want to kill him? Do not lie to me. You three do not act like a typical father and sons.”
So, they told her.
And that was how Ysabel joined their ragtag family. Máximo started her training, and no one ever expected the poor widow to be one of the new Assassins that was tormenting the Templars. She then demanded to be Turned, stating that she wanted to see the world become a better place.
The moment she met Callum the two were best friends, and he encouraged all of her bad habits.
It wasn’t soon after, Aguilar had been shot in the head by Shay Cormac, by an air rifle. To this day, he was one of the few that knew the sound of that particular weapon. The moment Callum was told of what happened, he went on his infamous Hunt for the traitorous bastard. Ysabel was the one who escorted Aguilar to Masyaf to heal, while Máximo and Mateo stayed in the area, hunting down the nest of Templars that Cormac had worked for.
Aguilar didn’t come out of his twinspeak until after Callum arrived in Masyaf, almost two years later. Ysabel had started formal training to be an Assassin and was thriving. It was then she figured out the brother’s true relationship, but never said anything.
They didn’t return to Spain for over a decade, Aguilar not able to take Ysabel back to Madrid as members of her family were still alive, they opened a secondary shop in Barcelona, one that in time became Nerha Silks International offices.
***
Tus was ready to open a secondary Assassin’s office in London, just so he didn’t have to travel by seven different types of transportations, get into arguments with government agencies, deal with insurgents, while trying to stay alive.
He loved his brother and had followed him on this path of Assassins and Vampires.
But there were days he regretted that his father ever brought home the damn street rat.
“You love me.” Dastan gave his brother a grin, while pulling him into a tight hug.
“On occasions.” He held him tightly, always thankful to be home. “Our home country is falling apart, and it pains me not being able to fix it.”
“I have been tempted one too many times to just let Altaïr lose.” Dastan gave him a soft smile. “Or Tamara.”
“Your Mate is terrifying.” Tus laughed as they made their way into the citadel. “Catch me up on what is going on.”
“Callum and Aguilar are here, doing some retraining. Which means their brood of kids came with them.” Dastan followed Tus into his private rooms, knowing his brother would want to rest after the long journey. “More importantly, Callum is recovering from a Templar attack.”
“What the hell happened!?” Tus dropped his bags, demanding more information. He wasn’t a fighter like his brother, oh he knew how to defend himself, and had been trained by some of the best Assassins the Order has ever seen. But he was, and forever shall be, the diplomat. Hence his trips out of the country, to negotiate trade, finances, peace, sometimes blackmail and bribery with warlords and tribal leaders.
He ended up sitting down while listening to Dastan’s tale, horrified, shocked, and terrified of what it all meant. “How is he doing?”
“Recovering. Having the kids here has helped.” Dastan paused for a moment, then took a seat across from his brother. “There is more.”
“At least tell me the Templars are dead,” he snarled. Tus was desperate for a drink, and to find Callum and see for himself he was alright.
“From what I heard, along with Javert and Jake they had a grand time rat hunting.” It wasn’t often the Assassins were that bold to attack a Templar ‘stronghold’, but for that particular moment a statement needed to be made. “The other three, who had stronger ties to Assassin’s, are here getting some training. Not sure they’ll make full Master Assassin’s but having them as allies will be helpful.”
“What more is there?”
“Did you ever suspect Callum and Aguilar were Mates?”
Tus froze, this wasn’t quite the discussion he was expecting. Had he suspected it, yes. Had he talked about it to anyone, no. “I had, specifically after Cormac. I have yet to find my Mate, obviously a very elusive creature, but Callum’s reaction was more than a brother. I love you, Dastan, would kill any bastard for hurting you, but it would be nothing compared to what Tamara would do. When Callum returned, I could see it in his gaze, as he watched Aguilar. I have always had regrets on how we handled that situation.”
“Well, it’s out, and I’m sad to say there have been grumblings.”
“By whom!?” He stood ready to take anyone’s head on for not supporting their fellow Assassins.
“None that are Vampires, and do not worry about defending anyone’s honor. I may have shredded the few discontents on the fact it’s none of their fucking business, and I let it slip to the kids. Mateo has been hunting. For a man who doesn’t speak he had a lot to say.”
“They would be lucky if Mateo got them, I’m sure Ysabel has a few tricks up her skirt. And despite Máximo acting all rational and sane, he takes after Bayek more than he will admit.” Tus shook his head, dealing with that family was headache inducing. “Anything else, before I can get a shower?”
“Oh, there’s a third Mate, Peter Quill, Jake’s boy, works with Henry, who tried to steal the Apple from Altaïr.” Dastan patted him on the shoulder. “It didn’t go well.”
“I will deal with that after a shower.” Tus shook his head and headed for the bathroom.
“You might want to talk about Aguilar’s plans in Spain. He approached me about the idea a few years back, and thought it was a good idea. I think you were at the UN yelling at idiots, and well let’s face it, we’ve had a rough decade. I kept wanting to mention it, but something always came up. I think you will like them.” With that he left his brother to clean up and ponder his life choices.
Two hours later, Tus was cleaned, caffeinated, and was hunting down the elusive silk merchant. If there was one thing he appreciated about Aguilar, it was the quality of his material. He had a few suits made from his textiles, and they were phenomenal.
He found the man hiding behind the Citadel resting on the grass. He was alone, with no kids or Mate in sight. Tus walked over and looked down at the resting Assassin. “I heard you did some damage to some idiotic Templars.”
“Not enough.” Aguilar lifted his arm that was resting over his eyes. “Hello, Tus, welcome back. I heard you were in Turkey trying to negotiate funding for refugees who fled their homes.”
“Yeah, well it didn’t quite go as planned considering most countries wanted to send them back. One had the audacity to say, ‘send them home and let them fight to get their country back’. So, I asked if he would pay for the weapons. He said he didn’t believe in arming civilians.” It was a good think he didn’t carry a hidden blade. He was pretty sure he would’ve left the idiot politicians bleeding out on the floor.
Aguilar snorted, then sat up. “Give the weapons to the woman, it will be over in days.”
Tus settled onto the grass. “Dastan caught me up on everything. I want to apologize for my own behavior towards the two of you. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how long we have lived, there are times old prejudices still rear their ugly heads.”
“Apology accepted, and I understand the conflict of blending the society we were raised in versus the one we live in now.” Aguilar gave him a smile. “I doubted you sought me out, brought coffee, just to apologize.”
“It was my main focus, but Dastan said I should ask you about what you’re doing in Spain, which got me curious.” He handed over the second cup of coffee he was carrying. He listened to what Aguilar was building, astonished and excited over the new facility. “I want my own office and room.”
Aguilar laughed, as it was one of the few things, he had asked Matt to add. “Already done.”
“I love you.” Tus couldn’t help the grin, he always got along with Aguilar. He adored Callum, but Aguilar’s calmness in dealing with everything, and his deep Faith resonated with Tus. “I can’t believe we didn’t think about a secondary headquarters until now.”
“Hey, no hitting up on my Mate.” Callum called out, making his way towards the two of them. “He’s my sugar daddy now.”
Tus rolled his eyes, glancing over at the Irishman who leaned down and kissed Aguilar then settled next to him. It was good to see them open with each other. “I can be the affair partner, have an apartment in the city, the whole works.”
Aguilar shook his head, at their antics. “I’ll show you the schematics at a later time. Could use some of your input as it’s your skills that keep this place going.”
“Well at least someone notices my hard work.” Tus sipped his coffee, enjoying watching the brothers be relaxed. He wondered what it would’ve been like if Dastan had been his, but then they weren’t blood brothers. He saw how people treated Jake on occasions, warning him to stop being domineering towards his sister. Like Evie needs to be protected, there were times Tus was more concerned about her overbearingness on Jake. Underneath that deadly assassin was really a soft-hearted guy, which led to thinking about the brothers third Mate. “If you don’t mind me asking, how are you taking the third Mate?”
“I see Dastan had no problem giving out all our secrets.” Callum may have smiled, but there was a touch of hardness in his tone.
Tus gave him a small nod in understanding. “I think he forgets I don’t always know what he’s ranting at or warning me about. I’m part of this organization, yet not. But I have known you two since you were born, changed your diapers a few times. So, I get to be the sophisticated yet long suffering uncle. Which means I can be concerned for both of you, especially with someone who is coming in between.”
“Honestly, Peter is likely what we need.” Aguilar assured him. “We’re here now to make sure our relationship is secure. We have our issues and need to deal with them before putting someone in the middle.”
“Especially being secret within the community for so long. We need to stand strong in our relationship before we toss poor Peter at some of these puritan arses who kill people for a living.” Callum’s tone indicated he hadn’t been fooled and knew there had been grumblings.
“These past months we’ve been training more together to fight like Mates, instead of brothers. I’m fitter than I have been in a while, but it’s also giving us time to talk things out.” Aguilar smiled over at his brother.
“Yes. I found out he’s a Count and his sheep have better commendations than I do. Plus, I had no idea Stephen hated him that much.”
Tus laughed openly, he had known Stephen had left him his estates, and gave some advice, but not the extent of the whole situation. “Inheritances and Titles are the number one source of anyone hiring an Assassin.”
Both laughed lightly.
“A few things I will advise for this new headquarters.” He turned the conversation towards business. “Medical facility needs to be a miniature hospital. Not all Assassins that go through it will be Vampires, which I also suggest having a good blood bank. Full stocked kitchen, no seriously, our budget went up when feeding the two of you when you were teenagers.” He sipped his coffee, enjoying their laughter. “Rooms need to be soundproof. I still have trauma from Ezio and Altaïr, let alone Dastan and Tamara. Plenty of natural space, and as we’re working more in cities, close enough to get training in a suburban and city environment.”
“The land is in Catalonia, on the border with France, along the Pyrenees Mountains, actually if one was to head down one of the cliffs they would be in France.” Aguilar made notes to check in with Matt, there’s sound proofing and then there’s Vampire sound proofing.
“That could come in handy.” Tus nodded. “Who will be the full-time caretakers?”
“Beatriz and Sayyid. They are already plotting the demise of poor novices.” Aguilar informed him. “They just started construction on the section that will be the headquarters, so it will take a year or two before it is fully open. There’s a lot of paperwork and permits to go with it, due to the fact it is on old land that used to be an Abbey. Matt, who owns 4th Division Construction, is already navigating some of the problems, and has a few lawyers helping out.”
“Lastly you need to tech the place out. I mean we were pretty good, until Hansel’s Mate showed up. Benji really brought us into the next level. A few years back we got new phones, and some high-end servers, which Harold helped us set up via teleconferencing. But seriously, tech the damn thing out. Especially if we’re going to have to fight these Templars on a new level.”
“I was going to call Jensen, Clay’s Mate.” Aguilar was impressed by the kid during the raid. “And if need be, see about contacting Harold and John.”
Tus nodded, sounding like Aguilar had a good handle on everything. “I look forward to seeing it. So now the important question, how many Templars did you take out. Details. You know I live vicariously through all the Assassins, while I toll away on paperwork.”
The two laughed.
Aguilar started the story with the account of blowing the front entrance to the gray square fortress.
***
Aguilar looked up from what he was working on at the desk to see Ysabel standing in the doorway. “What’s wrong?”
“Do you ever just get so pissed that Stephen and Brigid were taken from us, because some idiot couldn’t get past a grudge. I still don’t even quite understand what the problem was with him in the first place.” She sat down on the bed, grabbing one of the pillows to put in her lap and lean against it.
“After I heard about Kenway, well more his evisceration of that traitor on Sylum’s front lawn, I talked to Nico about the whole situation.” Aguilar closed his laptop and focused on his daughter. “I don’t think anyone has really any clue as to the full motivations, except for Kenway aka Aubrey. I know God and the Fates have kept him here, for reasons we are yet to understand, but the poor man is living without his Mate.”
“Do you think we’ll see them again?” She asked, her voice soft.
“Yeah.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “Can’t hold those two back for long. I’m sure Stephen will be back for his Mate, and Brigid wanted to see the world.”
“Just talking about this whole thing brought it all back, and I miss her. She was my best friend, outside my annoying brothers. She loved me for me, and though at times she didn’t get me, she still loved me.” She flopped down on the bed. “And she would’ve loved the sheep pen and would’ve rocked on Duolingo hell they would’ve hired her.”
“I miss both of them.” Aguilar shifted until he sat on the bed, not surprised when he had an arm full of a blonde assassin. “I would give away all the money to have them with us.”
“Stephen would’ve given it to you, just so he could be happy in his jungle hunting ants.” She chuckled in her Papá’s chest. “How is Sanctuary doing?”
“They miss him. But they honor him with the sloths and take care of the HMS Surprise.” He kissed the top of her head. “How about we go see the sloths.”
“Yes.” She sat up. “I heard sloth therapy is great.”
“Can the rest of the family join in?” Máximo asked, smiling at the two of them.
“Pajama party?” Callum asked from the bathroom, he had heard Ysabel enter their room, but kept quiet realizing this was between Papá and daughter.
Ten minutes later they were all curled up on the bed, in their pajamas, with tons of blankets and snacks Mateo had stolen from the kitchen. Now he understood what Tus was saying about a fully stocked kitchen.
Callum was practically in Aguilar’s lap, while Mateo was in Máximo’s, and Ysabel was laid down at the foot, considering it was a queen size bed, it was amazing everyone fit.
“I want to know what happened when you met Brigid?” Callum asked, snacking on the popcorn. “I still have a hard time just imagining Stephen, be like hey here’s my kid have fun with that.”
Ysabel laughed while eating on a twizzler. “Considering it’s when we discovered he had been Turned it made more sense. There was no way those two could live back in England, as neighbors raising their kids, trying not to be Mates.”
“Considering they had a relationship before they were Mates.” Aguilar added to the conversation. “They wouldn’t have been able to hide it as Vampires, especially with the Bond.”
“Was it just the two of you?” Callum glanced between his brother and Ysabel. “I mean when you met them. And how did that work?”
“You would have thought it was a prisoner exchange.” Máximo laughed lightly. “Considering the last time Papá had met with Stephen, we were worried about a betrayal.” He ignored Aguilar’s sharp look. “It was odd that someone who was in and out of our lives in odd intervals, a known spy, and the last meeting exposed the Assassins. It was a legit concern.”
“And since Papá is stubborn.” Ysabel stared him down, while chewing on her candy. “We all went.”
“I did not need an escort.” Aguilar commented as they waited in the cove.
It was the most secure location, that Stephen could come to shore without being seen. There were only two ways onto the beach, coming in by rowboat or the small path that made its way up one of the steep cliffs. They had torches lined up along the beach and path to where they stood. Máximo was to his right, with Ysabel on his left but further back, watching the path. “And I can’t believe you contacted Clay and Carlos, to stand guard.” He glanced upwards to see both watching intently yet looked casual.
“Just being cautious.” Máximo stated from his side. “It just seems odd that you are the only one who can take care of his kid. I mean you are an excellent father and have taken care of us strays over the years, but in truth Stephen barely knows you.”
Aguilar nodded in understanding, especially after their last meeting. He honestly did not think Stephen would use his own daughter to betray him. But then he had seen the worst of society, and maybe it was his hope in humanity that Stephen was the good man he knew him to be.
He glanced past Máximo to see Mateo blended into the shadows. He had not made his opinion known about the situation but was showing his caution. Mateo’s life has been dedicated to hunting down Templars, he has spent decades studying them, learning everything about them, and from it he has the ability to sniff one out from a mile away. So, if Stephen was using his daughter to get access to an Assassin, the man would be dead before he got halfway up the beach.
They did not have long to wait.
The sound of a smaller boat being pulled up onto the shore was heard across the beach. There were seven passengers, all likely from Captain Aubrey’s ship, which was somewhere in the Mediterranean, under a false flag.
All the men were wearing civilian clothes, making sure not to show their status or allegiance. There were two sailors at the oars, a third older looking one was first one off the boat, followed by the blonde who was at the rutter. They got the long boat pulled close enough to shore.
Aguilar glanced at Máximo, who returned his side eye, four of the men had no heartbeats, which included Stephen and Aubrey. The older sailor settled close to the boat. To the untrained eye, he looked at ease, but it was obvious he was fully alert and well-armed. The blonde, kept next to his Captain gaze moving around the beach, taking everything in, it was his glance up the cliff that had Aguilar surprised.
“It would seem that the good Captain and our friendly spy have been Turned, along with some of the crew. It must have happened in the past few years, as he was very much alive last time, I saw him.” This meeting was going to get interesting fast.
“Who is the Meridius?” Máximo commented. “Do you think he knows about the family?”
“I have no idea, but we’re about to find out.” In all the years Aguilar had known Stephen he had never met the famous Captain Jack Aubrey. He watched as Jack kept a diligent focus on everything around him, he had positioned himself in a way to protect not just Stephen, but the young child.
He made his way down towards the shore to meet the small party halfway. Máximo and Ysabel stayed back yet kept their guard up, especially with the discovery that most of the small group was Vampires.
The moment he saw Brigid, happily chatting in her father’s arms he could not help the smile. “Stephen.”
“Aguilar.” He had a soft smile. The child was still babbling away. “I want to apologize for my behavior the last time we met.”
“It was not the best of circumstances, and all has already been forgiven.” His gaze shifted towards Aubrey as he moved next to Stephen. Now that he could get a good look at the Captain, it was obvious he was a Meridius, even if the blonde hair was new. “Captain Aubrey.”
“Don Nerha.” He gave a quick bow, though had not taken his attention off the others. “Stephen has spoken highly of you.”
“The same. I am sure he would be either drowned or lost if it was not for you.” Aguilar smiled at Stephen’s indignation.
Aubrey laughed. “The good doctor will tell you he keeps me healthy and out of jail, so it is a fair trade.”
“And who is this beautiful young lady?” Aguilar gave a soft smile to the child.
“This is Brigid.” Stephen set her down on the ground. “Brigid this is Aguilar. He is a close friend who will be helping us.”
Aguilar squatted down to get close to her eye level. She had her mother’s eyes yet was totally her father. She was studying him, gaze taking more in than a normal child of her age. “You have a beautiful dress.” He looked up at Stephen, noticing the slight blush. He recognized the blue silks he had given to him many years ago.
“It was a gift from Papá.” She glanced back to her father, then to Aubrey. “Papá says I am to stay with you.”
“Si.” He made sure to keep his body relaxed and open. “You are very welcome in my home, Señorita.”
Aguilar was not surprised when she started asking him questions in Spanish, the letter had mentioned she spoke the language, but it was the command she had over the words. She had better pronunciation and diction than Callum.
“I like you.” She smiled brightly at him, patting his cheek then reached for a hug. He pulled her close, smiling softly at old memories of his own children. When he stood, she clung on to him, with a laugh he settled her on his side, holding her close.
“Well, if Brigid likes you then you cannot be that bad for a Spaniard.” Aubrey gave him a smile, his hand dropping from the sword at his side.
“Stephen, may I ask when you were Turned?” Aguilar looked at his friend, realizing that the man had not picked up on the fact that the only ones alive on the beach were Brigid and two of the sailors who had stayed back by the boat.
Stephen glanced around the beach, taking in what he was not hearing. Aguilar had no doubt Stephen knew where everyone was at, and likely was prepared for any situation, but he had missed the lack of heart beats. Something he would make sure was trained into him.
“How long have you been a Vampire, Don de Nerha?” Stephen countered the question.
“Longer than you have been born.” He was thankful not to be wearing his full gear, as Brigid was a curious child and squirmy enough that weapons would be digging into wrong places. “I was Turned in the year of our Lord 1492.”
“Oh.” Stephen startled slightly, but then smiled.
“Not now Stephen.” Aubrey reached out and touched his arm. “I am sure you have questions and would like to have them all answered, but now is not the time.” He turned towards Aguilar, his gaze moving to the two behind him. “It was only recent. We are still adjusting.”
“It is one of the reasons at the moment I cannot take care of my dear Brigid.” Stephen smiled at his daughter, his gaze filled with pride and sadness. “It would not be a good idea to stay in England, while we are still dealing with all aspects of being a Vampire.”
“You are pretty!” Brigid shifted quickly, arms reaching out towards Ysabel.
“Not nearly as pretty as you are.” Ysabel stepped forward holding her arms out, taking the young girl from Aguilar. “I have a dress like this, we should play dress up and have a tea party.”
The two continued talking away, Brigid smitten by the young woman, Ysabel obviously just as smitten. Máximo gave her a side-eye, making sure she was okay, as this was not normal behavior. He could feel Mateo’s humor and awe at the scene.
“If you do not mind me asking.” Aguilar glanced away from Ysabel and Brigid, wondering if she was going to kidnap the child. “Why did you not leave her with Camelot?”
“We were only able to stay with them for a few days, and though Arthur and Guinevere were good people, I do not know them well enough.” Stephen shook his head. “I also was not sure about leaving her with Vampires, irony.”
Aguilar chuckled, then focused on Aubrey. “Have you been told about the Meridii?”
“Yes.” He snorted slightly. “Was introduced to Robin Longstride, as an Englishman it was an honor to meet Robin Hood, and discover he is as good at the bow as the legend states.”
There was a snort heard across the wind.
Aguilar glanced up and over towards Carlos, who was crouching much like his nickname Puma. The tales of rivalry between Robin, Wilhelm, and Carlos were legendary. Though if the three were working together, it was dangerous for the one who had their attention.
“Maximus, my Sire, is another of your family.” He informed them and would need to let Maximus know about the new ‘kid’.
“Robin mentioned him, said he was one of the oldest in the family, and a Nicolaus, who was in New Orleans. We had figured to visit the city at some point.” Aubrey glanced over to Ysabel who was now dancing slightly with Brigid in her arms. “Is she safe?”
Ysabel paused in her movements, giving the men an unimpressed look. “I will kill everyone in this cove, and myself, if harm was to come to this child.”
Máximo stared at his ‘sister’. “Ysabel?”
“No.” She knew what he was asking. “She is not my Mate, but she is my little sister.”
“I am your sister?” Brigid asked in a bright tone in her voice.
“Yes, as of now you are my sister.” She gave her a kiss on the forehead and held her close.
“My Momma died.” Brigid stated as a fact, not as a kid who lost a parent.
‘Good riddance.’ Aguilar could hear Callum in his head once again, but kept his mouth shut. “Captain, I assure you Brigid is safe with us. Though not as elegantly stated by Ysabel, we will protect her with our lives.”
Aubrey sighed in relief. “A ship is not a place for a young girl.”
“I know this has to be a hard decision to make.” Aguilar stepped closer to Stephen, taking his arm to move down the beach to talk privately. “I want you to know I understand.”
“Most do not.” Stephen looked over to Brigid who was now focused on Máximo. “Jack’s wife was upset that I took her away, and even Arthur was concerned. I did not know how to explain that I wanted to bring her to you, as I knew she would be safe. That you also understood living in two worlds, with your mother being Irish and father Spanish.” He paused then looked sharply at Aguilar. “Wait, how did that work three hundred years ago?”
“Same if it happened thirty years ago.” Aguilar grinned, teasing him slightly. “I know the pain it is to do the right thing despite the heartache. I let my daughter go to marry the man she loved, only to see her, and meet my grandchildren for a fleeting moment.”
Stephen looked at him with a confused expression.
“The man was Jewish, my daughter Catholic during the height of the Spanish Inquisition.”
“Oh dear.” Stephen crossed himself, knowing that even today that would be a marriage looked down upon. “Thank you, Aguilar. You have been a good friend.”
“Now that we have the years ahead of us, I would like to continue the friendship.” He patted him on the shoulder. “I will need a way to get in touch with you, in case we are in need of you.”
He pulled out a leather book that had string tied around it. It was a decent size but looked to be stuffed with notes and papers. “The address is Camelot, so it should be easier now for communication. I will let Arthur know that Brigid’s guardian is actually a Vampire.”
“Tell him to ask Callum Lynch about me.”
“Is he your Mate?”
Aguilar tried not to respond, but his hesitation got a look from Stephen. “He is actually my brother, we’re twins actually. He took after mom, while I took after dad.” He had a feeling he would be fielding questions later, but at the moment Stephen seemed to drop it.
“I also have notes, observations, lesson plans, and lists of books for Brigid. She is gifted. I know I mentioned it in the letter, but it is more than I realized.” Stephen glanced again at his daughter, who now was talking animatedly at another young man. “She already speaks four languages. Her mother spoke French like a native, and Brigid picked it up. She speaks my native Irish and learned Spanish from me in only a few months. Just start speaking to her in any language and she will start to pick it up.”
“We will add to her collection. Between all of us, we speak another dozen languages. Ysabel loves to read and has been collecting books since we moved to Barcelona, I am sure she will make sure Brigid gets enough to stay occupied.” Aguilar made his way back to the small group, smiling when he heard Máximo speaking Arabic with Brigid, teaching her basic greetings.
The two sailors were now closer to the Captain, and he noticed Mateo standing near Máximo.
“His name is Mateo. He does not speak.” Máximo glanced over to his Mate. “But you can talk to him, he is a good listener.”
Mateo gave her a wave, smiling softly.
“Oh. Are you not well?” She asked.
“Do not worry about him.” Ysabel was holding her hand. “There is nothing wrong with him, he is just different.”
“Like me.” She glanced back at her father. “Papá says I am not odd, just different.”
“There is nothing wrong with you.” Stephen picked up his daughter holding her close, keeping the emotion out of his tone. “Now remember what I told you.”
“You love me and want the best. Don Aguilar will take care of me.” She hugged him, laying her head on his shoulder for a moment. “I like them.” She whispered into his ear.
“I think they like you too.” He hugged her tightly, then handed her to Jack.
“Remember what I taught you.” Jack gave the girl a bright smile.
“If someone tries to hurt me, kick them in the shins then run.”
“Good advice,” Ysabel laughed. “I will make sure she knows how to make it hurt and keep them down.”
Stephen glanced at Aguilar.
“I would say she is harmless, but it would be a lie.”
Brigid wiggled out of Jack’s arms, then ran over to the boat saying her goodbyes to the two sailors. She then ran to the blonde, hugging his leg. “Goodbye Mr. Bonden.”
The sailor knelt and gave her a hug. “I will miss you.”
“Thank you for teaching me how to tie knots.” She then ran off to the older sailor, who knelt in the sand and took the hug straight on. “Bye Mr. Axe.”
“You will be missed, young Brigid.” He picked her up, then handed her over to Stephen. He gave Aguilar a look. “She is special. Make sure to use those skills I know you have to protect her.”
Aguilar held his hard look.
“I worked with one of your kind, taught me a few things.” He shrugged but did not back down. “He was well known for ‘fighting like the devil dressed as a man’.”
Kenway was famously known in the Assassin world, no one knew quite what happened to him or his ship. “If you served on the Jackdaw, I would not trust you with my money, but would trust you with my life.”
Sam Axe’s laugh was loud and boisterous, as one would expect from a pirate.
Stephen had no idea what the two were talking about, but he had a feeling it tied to what he saw that night so many years ago. He knew now was not the time, so instead gave his daughter one more hug, then handed her off to Aguilar.
Aguilar held Brigid tightly, as she cried into his shoulder as her father walked away. He could tell Jack was supporting his Mate, as he knew the separation was not easy.
“Come on, it is late and young girls need to be in bed.” Aguilar turned to head for the small path, so they could get home as quickly as possible.
“And Brigid needs some rest.” Máximo cringed when Ysabel hit him in the arm. “Are you sure she is not your Mate?”
“She is a beautiful soul, but not my Mate.” She took Máximo’s arm and leaned against him. “What if she had been?”
“I would have told the good Captain to drop you across the sea and let Bayek have you for a few decades.” Máximo held her close for a moment. “Then laughed at your misery.”
Ysabel rolled her eyes then ran after Papá. Mateo slipped next to his Mate taking his hand, and leaned against him. “It has been a while since we had a kid in the house.” He felt the squeeze. “God help anyone who tries to touch that kid, Ysabel will do damage. Hopefully she will leave some for us, but I doubt it.”
“She lived with us, but also spent time at a nunnery. I think she liked the peace and quiet.” Aguilar finished up the story. “It would take Stephen almost twenty years before he finally showed back up, and he was quite surprised to find a beautiful young woman. Not long after she was Turned, she found her niche translating books and manuscripts. Even worked at Nerha Silks as a translator.”
Callum looked over his family, hating that he missed so much, but accepting he had his own moments they were not a part of, which included times with the MacManus’ and the Rooks. After everything that had happened in the past year, adding in a future with Peter, it was time for all of them to come together.
“Thank you for sharing this with me. I wish I was a part of it, but I wasn’t meant to be.” He curled closer to Aguilar. “When the time is right, I’ll have to tell you all the stories from Ireland.”
“I would like that.” Aguilar kissed his temple.
“But you three are never allowed to work with the MacManus’.”
“I did once, never again.” Máximo shook his head, he was still traumatized. “They make Ysabel look like a good Catholic girl who was righteous and pure, who doesn’t stab first and ask questions later, maybe if she feels like it.”
“So, when can I meet them?” Ysabel asked without hesitation.
***
Callum leaned against the doorjamb of the bedroom, admiring his Mate. The dark grey three-piece suit was exquisite, Helena had a good eye and taste, and he didn’t care who she blackmailed to get the latest design before it hit the fashion houses, it fit Aguilar perfectly and he couldn’t wait to see it on the floor.
“So, this is the Count?” He asked, stepping into the room.
They had left Masyaf a month ago, the two of them had taken time to travel to Ireland just to be with each other in Callum’s world. It was nice to see a relaxed Aguilar, just resting in an open field not a care in the world. The sheep weren’t too sure about the new guy, but they warmed up to him.
The fact he put a statue of Saint Teressa on the Fairy Tree had horrified and awed Callum all at the same time. The fact the fairies hadn’t retaliated, meant they liked Teressa, which was good as she was family.
Aguilar looked at his brother through the mirror, he enjoyed the past year being with Callum as his Mate and brother. He hated what his brother went through, but they had grown stronger through it. He was looking forward to courting Peter and building a life with all of them.
Including the kids.
He turned around, gave a small bow. “Count Aguilar Denerha i Domanova.”
“God that’s a turn on.” Callum stepped closer, grabbed the silk tie, and pulled him into a hot kiss. “Do I look like the lowlife brother who is just living off his brother’s new found wealth?”
Aguilar straightened his tie, shaking his head. The simple dark navy suit fitted Callum perfectly, giving him the casual business look, but wealthy enough to own quality suits. “You do realize you’re listed on Nerha Silks Board of Directors.”
“Shit, there goes my plan.” He helped flatten the tie, then stepped back and held out a small box. “I got you these.”
Aguilar opened the box, laughing at the site of sheep cufflinks. “They’re perfect.”
Callum helped put them on, and then kissed him again. “Everyone is set for the party. We understand you have to be the Count, but we’re family and standing by you one hundred percent.”
Máximo was getting ready, though last he checked Mateo was trying to figure out how to get him out of the suit, instead of into it. Ysabel was cackling too much for it to be healthy for any of them.
They were going to introduce Callum and Máximo as family, while Ysabel and Mateo were friends of Máximo, and pseudo family. They were going to start dropping hints about a possible boyfriend for the Count, so when the time came, they could ease Peter into the situation.
“I am looking forward to meeting Matt.”
When they had visited the Rookery, Jake had laughed for at least ten minutes when Aguilar told him how Matt learned about the Assassins. He laughed even longer, when realized Richard still had no idea. They were concerned about the trunks that were discovered, but Mateo was working through the paperwork, trying to work out the dates and history. They were slowly getting the jewels and other items appraised.
Matt was going to meet them at the castle, to hand the keys over for the Private Residence section. That night they would have a small cocktail party to the higher members of society, as a coming out type of party for Aguilar, and his introduction to the family. Rumor had it that royalty may even stop by. He will also work them for donations to the Maturin Foundation and get them to be the first to book events at the Event Center, which is going to open in the new year.
“Let’s get this over with so we can fly to Egypt.” Aguilar gave his Mate one more kiss, then headed out of the room, before one of the suits ended up on the floor.
They were staying at their Penthouse in Barcelona, the one they used while conducting business for Nerha Silks International. They would be moving into Castillo de Domanova in the next few weeks. He was going to have to do some fun family history, to get people interested in the place. Especially, as it was a two-hour drive from Barcelona, they needed to build a good reputation and excellent service to get people out that far for parties, events, and weddings. The fact suites and rooms were included with the Event Center helped, but if he could get some of the well-known families to be the first to book events then tell everyone, it would help even more.
It was midday by the time they arrived. Callum just gave Aguilar a look as they drove through the gated fence, up the tree lined driveway, around the gorgeous flowing fountain, to park in front of the at least four car garage, he was sure it was bigger. “Is there like a secret lair under the garage?” He asked as they stepped out of the Mercedes.
“The secret lair is about two miles up the road behind an Abbey.” Aguilar snarked, as he fixed the suit coat and made his way towards the front entrance, where Matt was waiting.
Máximo parked his Lexus next to Aguilar’s vehicle. Mateo looked slightly uncomfortable in his suit, while eyeing his Mate in his, as they made their way over to Papá. They heard Ysabel before they saw her, and neither was surprised she rode up on her Ducati. She slid off the bike, wiggled out of her leather pants, had no problem standing there wearing only her jacket and lycra shorts, as she pulled out the long black skirt from her bag and slipped it on. The leather jacket got tossed over the bike, she adjusted the dark red bodice and fluffed out the sleeves of the black shirt. As she made her way over to the family quickly putting on the stilettos.
“I apologize.” Aguilar glanced over to Matt, who was standing by the door wearing a simple pair of pants and a nice button-down shirt, which seemed odd as Aguilar rarely saw him without his toolbelt. He at least looked amused.
“I was introduced to Evie as she walked by me wearing an undershirt.” He pulled out a set of keys from his pocket. “Here are the keys, I do hope it meets your expectations.”
“Is this a new build?” Máximo asked, admiring the house just from the outside. It looked old, yet not. There were elements that felt like an old castle, with a very modern twist.
“This section is completely new. The old ruins were incorporated into the Event Center. The only thing that is historical in this building is the bathtub.” Matt sighed, not wanting to think about that monstrosity. “We just made it look as if it was reconstructed from old castle ruins.”
Of course, that meant Callum had to ask. “Bathtub?”
“I have nightmares about that bathtub.” Matt shook his head. “It was a custom design, built into the ruins. Now I’m not going to say it wasn’t gorgeous, but carefully removing it from the ruins and getting it into the Master Suite was a nightmare.”
“It couldn’t have been that bad.” Ysabel smiled at Matt, giving him her full attention, along with a clear view of her chest.
“It’s a step-down bathtub that likely could fit three or more and made of marble. We had to use a crane to get it into the bathroom, before we placed the roof of the house.” He glanced at Aguilar, not noticing the flirting. “I’m sure the two of you will enjoy it.”
“I really need to see this bathtub.”
A few moments later Callum stood in a large bathroom, staring at the sunken ancient tub. Matt was not kidding, and he felt as if he didn’t emphasize enough how big it was. It was gorgeous, the marble was polished, the fixtures blended perfectly, add in the bright sun from the opaque windows. It was likely going to be his favorite spot in the house.
“Why did Stephen have this?” He asked, still staring at the marvel.
“It was here before he inherited it from his grandfather. It was the only feature that I made sure was incorporated back into the private house. The rest of the ruins became part of the gardens and outdoor space.” Aguilar wrapped his arms around his brother. “Think it will fit the three of us?”
“I plan on finding out. We’ll have to keep Ysabel out.”
“Goodluck with that.” Máximo commented as he looked around the Master Bath. “You do realize this alone is bigger than the first apartment above the shop in Madrid.”
“I know. Have you seen your section yet.” Aguilar laughed as Máximo and Mateo wandered off, he could hear Matt telling them where to go.
“Are you going to stare at the bathtub all day or should I show you the rest of the house?” Matt laughed lightly as he stepped into the room. He understood, so far, every inspector who had come through the house had commented about it. If Aguilar needed word of mouth to get around about being a filthy rich Count and having over the top tastes the bathtub alone would be enough gossip.
“How did you even pull this off?” Callum asked, hands waving towards it. “It looks like it’s built in.”
“It is technically. I made sure the dimensions of the tub were implemented into the design, and basically built the rest of the room around it. I hired a designer from Barcelona to work with getting fixtures and the rest of the room to blend.” Matt led them out of the Master Suite and back down a small hallway, and around the corner, into the back area of the living room. “We had to keep the Master on the main floor, because of the tub, so I made sure the entrance to the area was subtle and harder to find. I suggest getting a camera system in place quickly just in case.”
The living area was empty, but it looked cozy, the oversized fireplace was beautiful and had a touch of an old medieval castle, it just needed a few wolfhounds as rugs. They passed a set of French Doors that led out to a back deck, which overlooked the valley.
“Most of the views are natural, only a couple will look towards the Event Center, and the few that do can see mostly the ruins and the mountains beyond.” Matt went to the edge of the deck, pointing downwards. “The gardeners are still working to get everything set up, but there will be a herb garden, and one of the historians stated there were some orchards on the grounds, so they are putting a new one in. I figured it would be a good block so no one can just wander from any parties to the house. Plus, we added some hedgerows, a small ditch, and a large stone fence.”
“Matt, this is beyond amazing.”
“Haven’t seen the rest of the place yet. My favorite is the library, which is off the living room, it’s two stories and has access from both floors. I got the idea from Speed’s library at the Manor.” He walked them past the doors, giving them a quick glance before showing them the dining room, which looked more like a great hall. “Could put a table for twenty in here and still have room to spare. Or set it up buffet style like it is now for a large gathering.”
Callum leaned over to his Mate. “Bonus.”
“Hell yeah.” Aguilar completely agreed.
“And lastly the kitchen.” He paused before going on. “I’ve built and rebuilt a few kitchens in my life, more than I care to admit. I asked Richard for a few tips, as it was likely this would be a personal kitchen, but at time needed for large events. He helped design it.” He opened the door to reveal a restaurant style kitchen. “And of course, he wanted to cook in it.”
“Oy!” Richard didn’t look up from what he was doing.
“An internationally known chef, with their own TV show would be perfect to cook for your debut into high society.” Matt smiled softly at his Mate, who still ignored them. “Don’t mind him, he doesn’t talk while cooking.”
“Jake says hi.” Callum thickened his Irish accent, knowing it would be enough to get the chef’s attention.
Richard glanced over to them, his eyes narrowed at the Irishman. “Look what the cat dragged in.” His focus shifted to his Mate. “Didn’t tell me he was involved.”
“Unlike you, I don’t know all the Rooks.”
“I’m not a Rook, but thanks,” Callum chuckled. “Though I have been around a few times to know that tonight’s food will be damn good.”
“Damn right.” Richard gave a nod towards Aguilar. “Hope you don’t mind. I really needed to do something that wasn’t chicken parmesan or country fried steak.”
“I have dined at one of your restaurants Chef Fullerton, I am not going to complain.” Aguilar’s mouth watered at the smells. Seeing the man in person, he understood why Jake wanted him to be trained. He was the same height as Jake, but wider across the chest. He could see the delicate care he used on the food, and the knife skills were phenomenal. “My Mate and I will get out of your way.”
Richard waved a hand and went back to focus on what he was working on. Matt was the only one who was able to get close enough to give him a quick kiss and steal a stuffed mushroom. “Lucky, I love you.”
Matt laughed as he left the kitchen, catching up with the two. “The upstairs has two suites as you asked for the ‘kids’, plus three smaller bedrooms with on-suite bathrooms. The gym is located in the garage, and the laundry room is tucked behind the kitchen. There is also a full bathroom on this floor for guests, which is next to the laundry room.”
“This is amazing Matt, thank you.” Aguilar glanced around the front lobby where they had ended back around to. “You listened to everything I said and did an amazing job. It’s just on the edge of extravagance but made it homey.”
“The private area is more subtle, I made sure this area saw more high-end touches, enough to be oh wow he’s got money in that snotty way.” He gave them a small chuckle. “The rest of the area is family. Now the Event Center is all over the top, luxury, spend lots of money here ’cause it looks good.”
“Is there time to see it?” Callum asked curious to see the difference between the two.
“Sure, when we get down there will need hardhats as there are sections still in a construction zone.” He gestured towards the back deck. “Let me show you the hidden path we built.”
The evening turned out to be a success.
They raised money for the Maturin Foundation, and a few were interested in using the Event Center. The food was excellent, and Aguilar was congratulated on acquiring such a famous chef for the small get together … of fifty people.
Máximo loved their suite, Mateo had already claimed the window seat that overlooked the garden.
Ysabel claimed the library and was upset no one had told her about this supposed famous library in New Orleans. Aguilar may have to warn Nicolaus and Timothy, then send Thomas free silks for a decade to make up for a likely surprise visit.
Ysabel spent most of the evening flirting with Matt, who either ignored her or didn’t notice, Aguilar couldn’t tell. She was ready to escalate, when Máximo grabbed her and pointed out Matt had a Mate who’s a Rook and three times her size.
“Besides, he’s not responding or acknowledging it.” Callum gave her a look. “I know it’s hard to imagine that someone wouldn’t find you hot.”
She gave him a non-impressed look. “I’ve pulled all the stops and nothing. I’m not upset, more curious.”
“He could be Asexual.” Máximo pointed out to her.
“He has a Mate.” Ysabel blinked at her brother, hands on her hips suddenly contemplative. “How would that work?”
“Same way all Mates work. You love them for who they are.” Callum pointed out. “Or he could be Demisexual, or just ignoring you because he can!”
She chuckled. “You both made a point. I hate it when guys won’t stop, so it would be rude of me to do the same thing. He’s cute in that hot handyman kinda way.”
Richard later pulled Callum aside and thanked him, explaining Matt was pretty damn oblivious to anyone flirting with him, and once realizes it gets uncomfortable. The two talked for a bit in the kitchen, and it wasn’t hard to see why Jake wanted to train the chef.
By the end of the night, Callum had received at least three phone numbers, asked on a couple of dates, and had one business proposition. Máximo lost track of the numbers in his pocket mainly because Mateo shredded them as they arrived, and Ysabel had tea scheduled with a few of the ladies.
It was Callum who realized he technically would need his own room, especially as they would be bringing in Peter at one point. He didn’t want to have to sneak into his own room with his Mates and had called Matt about a solution. Without even a blink, he just went with the new information and before they moved into the place, got his team to install a ‘secret’ trap door in the closet of the bedroom that was above the Master Suite, the small fold downstairs went straight into the master closet. It wasn’t noticeable and would help in case they ever had to host anyone who was not part of the Clans or an Assassin.
When everything was finally settled, and officially moved in, they were off to Egypt.
***
After being waylaid in Greece for a week to discuss business with Craterus, they finally made it to Egypt. Bayek had heard they were coming, so put them in one of the Clan houses, and then gave them a quick run down of the areas not to wander into.
Ramey handed them a map.
They gave up and called Diane who squealed when she realized why they were in Egypt and told them exactly where to find Peter. The three had sat at the small place talking about a variety of things, but mostly listened to their future Mate ramble on about Egyptian History.
“We’ve learned not to fuck with Khonsu.” Aguilar smiled as the three wandered through one of the marketplaces. He was tempted to climb up and over the crowd, it was one of their favorite things to do when they were at the old famous Bazaar in Istanbul.
Peter gave him a quizzical look.
“One of my kids, he’s related to Bayek.” Aguilar figured it was a good way to segway into the ‘by the way hope you don’t mind step kids’.
“He’s got three you should know about.” Callum spoke up, giving his brother a shit eating grin. Though technically Guido was Sired by Aguilar, he kept to himself and preferred to say under the radar. The ‘kids’ actually had no clue about him, which was good for everyone.
“You are such an arse!” He glared at him, then rolled his eyes. “Ysabel’s yours.”
Peter glanced between them, with a tell me more look.
So, they did.
“Do they realize they’re getting a stepdad?” Peter asked as he ushered them through a small gate, down a path that led to a modest home.
“The fact you called yourself stepdad is already a win.” Callum glanced around the area, checking potential security threats. There were at least three places an intruder could get into the home, but overall, it was pretty secluded and secure. “We promise not to spring them on you too soon.”
“I’ve got Steve and Diane, plus Ramy though you likely know him because of Bayek. Then there’s Henry.” Peter let them into his home, smiling shyly. “This is me.”
It was a nice home, filled with everything that was Peter. They slipped off their shoes at the door and followed him into the living area, two of the walls had bookshelves stuffed with books, there was a comfortable looking couch and chair set, and a coffee table filled with more books. A TV mounted on the wall across from the couch. The remaining wall space was filled with paintings, pictures, and maps. There was a set of French Doors that went out to a small backyard that was covered and looked like a small gym.
“Your place is lovely.” Aguilar took an interest in the books, as Callum settled into the chair. “Thank you for bringing us here.”
“I want this to work, and I know we have a lot to learn about each other.” Peter settled onto the couch. “I mean you two have been together all your life, it’s odd for me and you.”
“The last thing either of us wants is to make it awkward or difficult.” Callum gave him a soft smile. “I’m sure we’ll have a few moments, but we want this.”
Aguilar took the seat on the couch closer to his brother just to give Peter some space. “There are a few things you need to know.”
“I already know about the Assassins, and let’s face it I see weird shit on a daily basis so there’s not much that shocks me.” Peter tried not to fidget, but he was nervous. He had his Mates in his house, the moment he had been dreaming about had finally come true.
“Assassin is the easy part.” Callum smirked at his brother. “Know that I just discovered this over this year, actually I’ve been learning a lot about my brother this year. We kinda needed the time for ourselves, and get things situated.”
“Are you good … I mean better after.” Peter still felt some guilt for what Callum went through. In the end they took down the group that was running the experiments, but at the same time his Mate and many others were injured.
“Better. I don’t like what happened, but the situation has brought Aguilar and I closer, and brought you into our lives. The only thing I’m not happy about was discovering Rikkin was Turned, along with his wife, Ellen, who was the head Templar Dame. They are a little pissed that I killed their precious innocent child.”
Now that was not a pleasant conversation.
“Excuse me?” Aguilar’s tone was low and deadly.
Maximus didn’t take it personally. He had stopped by to see the new home of the Count, and to update the brothers on what they had learned about Rikkin. He had waited until they left Masyaf, giving them the time, they needed to heal before dropping this particular Templar bomb on them.
“We got the information from Paul Mallory. He sent it to Jake, who confirmed it.”
Aguilar made a note to contact Paul and thank him. “Who the hell Turned them?”
“Ian Howe, does the name mean anything to either of you?” Maximus glanced over to Callum, who looked healthier than the last time he saw him.
“Only heard the name in reference when I was searching for Callum. It was how we figured out that Templars had him, there was a photo of the Rikkens with Howe. It was someone, Paul was following.” He barely remembered the whole conversation, as it was the first lead he had and was desperate to find his Mate.
“No.” The Irishman shook his head having not heard the name before. “Why would he Turn them, what’s the connection?”
“I was wondering if there was a connection to the two of you personally, or a Templar vs Assassin thing. Though let’s face it, the Rikkins are going to hold you personally responsible for their daughter’s death.”
“You torture and murder people you get taken out by an Assassin.” Callum shrugged not actually caring they were devastated about their daughter’s death. Hell, they lied to her, stating an Assassin killed her poor innocent mother, when in fact she was head of the Templar Order.
“Do you know who this guy is?” Aguilar asked.
“The name sounded familiar, but I wasn’t sure from where.” Maximus glanced around the chaotic living room that was filled with furniture and boxes. “I asked around, and Nico ended up calling me. Ian Howe was on the hunt for the famed missing Templar treasure, come to find out Tony’s got stashed. Sent Ben Gates after it, who actually found the path that led to the fake one, in the process he Turned him.”
“Then he’s likely a Templar if he was hunting down the treasure.” Callum glanced over at his brother. “I’m not even surprised that the only living Templar, who we work with and not actively trying to kill, has the famed treasure stashed away. I have to ask, do we know where the treasure is located?”
“Nope.” Maximus laughed, it was hilarious that Nico’s oldest daughter was a true Templar, who followed the original creed. Yet Turned one of the most famous of Assassins and worked with Nico in taking down Templars in New Orleans. “Nico’s got some ideas, but overall doesn’t know, which isn’t a bad thing. I’m trusting you two with this information, because I have a feeling this fight is going to get deeper. Rhys somehow got a hold of some of it, now that the two have been introduced Tony’s accused him of stealing, Rhys just gives him that grin of his.”
“If Howe knows there’s a Treasure, then he likely was around for the original group.” Aguilar speculated, but there wasn’t much for them to go on. “Do you think he knows Tony has the treasure?”
Maximus shook his head. “We all know who Tony’s kid is, if they suspected Tony had the treasure and was working with Assassins, they would already be targeting him.”
“Should we be concerned for Tony?” Callum asked, he had met him while hunting down Cormac. Seemed like a good guy, very unobtrusive, but had a feeling he could do damage.
“Anthony Crisafi is not someone to take lightly. He’s a skilled warrior, seen more wars than likely all of us combined, and Ezio has spent time making sure his skills are top notch. And we all know if anyone messes with one of Nico’s kids.” He left the threat hanging there.
“Still doesn’t answer why he Turned them.” Aguilar frowned, not likely that they had more Templars to deal with.
“Well to add to your pain, he also Turned the Head Guard, the one who has the soul of Ojodo.”
Aguilar resisted whining like a child. “You know fuck it. I’m sending the kids after him. I killed that arse once, so they can do it this time around.”
“So basically, Howe Turned these arses because he wants us distracted on what he really is doing.” Callum sighed. “He knows they’ll come after me specifically. Then Peter, once they figured out, he was spying on them.”
“It’s likely they’ve figured out he’s connected to Jake. We should work on the theory that they also know Jake is a Vampire, maybe even Javert.” Aguilar glanced at his Mate.
“You think they’ll go after Peter to get to Jake, or will, once it’s discovered he’s our Mate?”
“He’s well protected. We will have to give him some training, though I have a feeling he’s scrappier in a fight than he lets on.”
“Can you two speak one language? It could be Spanish, Irish, or even English.” Maximus glared at the two of them.
The two just grinned.
“Nico did have an idea that he wanted me to share.” Maximus had an evil grin, that usually meant someone was going to get tormented, at this moment the brothers weren’t sure if it was them or the Templars. “Count Aguilar, you just came into some money.”
“Ten years’ worth of pain came with it.” He wasn’t sure where he was going with this.
“And Máximo mentioned the trunks you just found, though we have no idea where they came from.” The Spaniard gave him a pointed look. “Put some of those on the market, make it look as if your new found wealth and title came from…”
“The Templar Treasure!” Callum saw exactly what Nico’s idea was, and it was something the sneaky Roman would come up with.
“It does put a bigger target on you.” Maximus glanced at his Childe.
Aguilar glanced over at his Mate, a wicked smirk on his face. “They won’t know what hit them.”
“You think Rikkin will come after me?” Peter asked with concern.
“Once he figures out you were the spy. Then there’s your connection to Jake and then us, it’s a possibility.” Aguilar admitted.
“I’m not easily intimidated. I work for Henry for one.” He snorted as he stood up. “Plus, Steve and Diane have always made sure I’m well trained. I may not have my father’s grace, though Evie states that he doesn’t have any, I can fight like a Rook.” He paused for a moment. “Coffee? I’m antsy and need to fix something.”
“Sure.” Callum gave him an encouraging smile. “Need help?”
“No, but we can keep talking.” He called out as he went to the kitchen, which could just be seen across the entryway and dining room. “Who Turned them anyway?”
“Someone named Ian Howe.” Aguilar leaned forward to look at the books on the coffee table, noticing they were all about Ancient Egyptian Gods. There was one on Khonsu, and a scattering of other Gods, though he noticed the newer one was on Set, which he didn’t recognize. But then, he would be the first to admit he didn’t know much about Ancient Egyptian history. It was something he would need to read up on, maybe talk to Máximo as he did some studies after meeting his ancestor. He picked it up, looking through it wondering if it tied into Bayek.
“Who?” He asked.
“Well, that answers that question.” Callum glanced at Aguilar, who held up the book on Khonsu. “It seems the only person who has dealt with this guy is Nico’s kid Tony.”
“I’ll see if we have any info on him, but the name is not familiar.” Peter stepped back into the room, carrying a tray with mugs of coffee and a plate of shortbread cookies, setting it down on the edge of the table moving a few books out of the way. “I made them myself.”
Callum smiled wide at the fact Peter remembered his comment about the cookies. “Oh man.” Without hesitation he got up from the chair and pulled Peter into a passionate kiss.
Aguilar set the book down, watching the two. It was hotter than he expected. They had shared a lover a few times over the centuries, most of the time it was a fun night but nothing special. The only one who had meant something to both of them was his wife, Maria.
Peter stepped back blushing slightly, yet not quite out of Callum’s reach. “I hope they were worth that.”
Callum kissed him again, then grabbed a cookie, moaning at the taste. Then pulled him in for a second kiss. Aguilar by that time grabbed his coffee and sat back to watch. When the two did part, Callum grabbed more cookies and settled back into the chair.
Peter sat back down on the couch, still slightly pink in the cheeks. “So, this Howe guy Turned your mortal enemies to annoy you?”
“Likely yes.” Aguilar shrugged, it basically boiled down to the fact they would want revenge and Howe gave them the ability to do it. “The main thing I needed to tell you, outside Rikkin is the fact due to a long-lasting friendship with Stephen Maturin, who we sadly lost a decade ago, during the battle in Egypt…”
“I remember that, stayed out of it mostly, was dealing with how the Anubis warriors got out.” Peter shook his head, that was a stressful week. “I never met him, but he was Mated to Jack Aubrey, Nico’s brother, who rumors have been told is Kenway?”
“You even got that story?” Callum reached for the mug of coffee.
“Henry, as you saw, is part of the famous family. There was an incident a few years back in Rome, let’s just say it ended up being a family reunion that brought a few things out in the open, including Henry he wasn’t happy about it.” Peter gave them a half smile. “Never met him, but according to Henry, Kenway isn’t someone anyone wants to cross. And I apologize for interrupting you.”
Aguilar gave him a nod. “I inherited Maturin’s title, land, and wealth after he along with his daughter, Brigid, were murdered. It’s a long story that I will tell you in time. But the main thing is, besides being owner of Nerha Silks International, I am now Count Aguilar Denerha i Domanova.”
Peter glanced at Callum.
“He’s a Count, I’m just the adorable brother who is obviously in it for the money.” He winked at Peter, who rolled his eyes. “Though it means much more for you.”
“Me?” Peter glanced between them, eyes going wide as sudden realization dawned on him.
“Yeah, you get to be the Count’s boyfriend.” The grin was wicked. “It will keep those seeking a good husband and father of their future children away from our Mate.”
“I have no idea how to handle that.” Peter looked at Aguilar. “I mean what do I have to do?”
“We can tie in your job, and how we met on a trip to Cairo or something. I’ve kept you away from all the hoopla so not to scare you away.” Aguilar put his hand out, happily smiling when Peter took it. “We don’t have to do this tomorrow, but after we’re all Mated and comfortable.”
“I have nothing to wear.” Peter rolled his eyes at himself. “I mean.”
“Well lucky for you, someone also owns an International Textile company that sells to the Fashion Houses throughout Europe.” Callum sipped his coffee.
“I can’t say my life will be boring.” Peter squeezed Aguilar’s hand, laughing when he got pulled into a heated kiss. “Since we’re on things we should know. I need to tell you about Kansas…”
***
The past couple of years were a mixture of blissfully quiet, and ‘what the fuck now’ moments. With their Mating with Peter, Aguilar and Callum ended up more involved with Henry’s organization, who wasn’t sure if he liked having two Assassins at hand or worried for his own life.
They discovered Bayek was as insane as Máximo stated, and it was a good thing they knew not to mess with the Fairy Tree.
Peter got along with the kids easily. He would spend hours researching with Mateo, the two enjoying quiet afternoons in the office. Ysabel flirted until they growled at her, she laughed, kissed Peter on the cheek, then introduced everyone to Constanza. The poor girl was learning to fit into the weird family, her and Peter bonded on being the odd ones out.
Máximo was the one who gave Peter the shovel talk, he also gave one to Constanza. Peter later told them that he believed every word Máximo stated, because he saw the same glint in Bayek’s eyes when he got protective.
They Mated six months after they met up with Peter in Egypt. Then took another year moving between Egypt, Ireland, and Spain – mostly staying in Aguilar’s home in Madrid. Then slowly introduced Peter into Aguilar’s new society.
Peter held his own with the elites and charmed a good portion of them. Their main residence moved to the Castillo de Domanova, while they were in Spain, though they spent a good portion of time in Barcelona where Nerha Silks was located. It was also easy for Peter to travel between Cairo and Barcelona.
The Abbey had been rededicated six weeks ago, by the Cardinal from Barcelona who had come out personally to consecrate the ground, and give the building a blessing. The Carmelite nuns set up a food drive, asking anyone who attended the ceremony to bring food or donate to the food bank. The nuns settled into their new home, taking their role of protecting the secret lair behind them seriously.
The new Assassin Headquarters: Europe Office – officially opened June 2020. Tus named it and was actively working with Nico about an idea of another Headquarters or at least training facility in the United States.
Tus had taken over the project for the final touches. He worked with Matt’s Construction Manager, making sure everything was to specifications. Jensen had been requested to help set up the tech, bring with him Clay and Carlos. They lost Carlos to the shooting range, and Clay ended up having a long discussion with Javert about training.
“Too bad Matt couldn’t be here.” Callum stated as they walked through the new facility. “This place is amazing, and I know he put a lot of work into it.”
“Nico has him working on something. The last I talked to him he seemed a bit overwhelmed.” Aguilar had been a bit worried for the Vampire, he sounded tired. “With some pushing I got out of him was that they discovered a third Mate, I told him when they were free to come by Spain.”
“Really?” Callum smiled. “Now I’m curious.”
“His company came in on budget and finished early. The Event Center has been booked pretty solid for the past year, and Tus hasn’t been able to stop talking about the work on the Headquarters.” He commented as they found Tus in the front entrance. “Matter of fact we might have to warn poor Matt, as Tus here is ready to kidnap to get him to do upgrades in Masyaf.”
“Do not foil my plan!” Tus gave him a look. “This place is amazing, and I told Dastan I was moving.”
“He is not moving.” Dastan commented from just behind his brother. “But I can understand why he would want to. This is beyond expectations, Aguilar.”
Callum was proud of his brother for coming up with this idea and implementing it. The headquarters was everything they needed, it had training salles for all types of weapons and fighting styles. The living spaces were mixed between dorms, doubles, and personal suites. There was an armory, with an honest to God blacksmith shop and blacksmith. The medical wing was a working ER, plus had an apothecary area and storage for blood packets for the Vampires. The library was a bit low on books, but Tus and Ysabel were working on it, one section held all of Brigid’s language manuals, a portrait of her hanging in the area. The server room looked straight out of a movie. All the rooms were connected to the internet through wifi, along with security cameras, which were also all over the headquarters and surrounding areas.
The one room Callum was hesitant on was virtual reality. It was too close to what happened with the Templars for him to be comfortable. Jensen, working with Stark Industries, helped come up with the program, using some of the original programming and technology. From what Callum had read Stark Industries had taken over some of the research the Templars were doing and made it work to help people. The room was designed to move with the reality the person was viewing in the glasses they wore, it was to help sharpen skills not relive missions.
“Isn’t Jensen supposed to meet us to show us how all the systems connect.” Callum asked, wandering down the hall slightly looking into one of the training salles to see Mateo and Máximo sparring.
Jensen slid around the corner, then jogged up to the waiting group. “I’m here, just got the last of it uploaded and everything is set.”
“From what you told me earlier, we’ll be able to run this place from basically a StarkPad.” Tus still wasn’t sure about the whole thing, but it sounded amazing.
“Yes, or your phone.” Jensen nodded then rambled on about what type of system was in place, how many cameras, the backup schedule and that all of it was back up to a private server that only a few people had access to. “But really you can just ask J.A.R.V.I.S.”
“Jarvis?” Tus asked.
Aguilar suddenly had a memory from when they went after Rikkin.
<<I’m assisting Master Jensen with visuals and communications.>>
“What the hell?” Aguilar glanced at Javert. “He sounds like Stephen.”
He realized he never did get that explanation.
<<Good Morning, sirs. The temperature is 23 Celsius, sunny with scattering of clouds. Master Máximo is bleeding in Training Salle #3, and Master Ysabel is making out with her Mate on the roof.>>
Everyone blinked, except for Jensen who acted like this was normal, for him it probably was.
“I never got to ask, why do you sound like Stephen Maturin?” Aguilar wasn’t sure if he wanted to cry or laugh, at the fact technically Stephen was watching over them.
<<Dr. Maturin was the inspiration for my voice. I can change if you are uncomfortable.>>
“No, I’m okay, it feels as if he’s with us.” Aguilar gave a soft smile, he felt both Mate’s warm understanding. “Callum you go make sure Máximo doesn’t bleed out, I’ll grab the hose for Ysabel.”
“Oh no.” Callum shook his head. “I owe Ysabel!” He stalked off cackling.
“I told you she takes after him.” Aguilar glanced over at Peter who looked in awe of the idea of Jarvis.
Peter leaned over and gave him a quick kiss. “Go check the kids, I’ll stand here with Tus looking like an idiot and ask a million questions.”
Aguilar wandered off to the salle to make sure his kid wasn’t dying. He heard Ysabel yell, then Callum laugh as the two raced across the roof. Mateo was helping his Mate get rid of his shirt, Aguilar wasn’t sure if was to check the wound or have his wicked way with him. Peter was asking a million questions, and Jarvis soft tones answered with ease.
He took a moment, crossed himself and said a quick prayer for Stephen and Brigid. “I miss you, my friends.”
That was very nice. Thank you. I’m so glad we got to see what happened after. Good job!
OMG!! I just adore this story! Matt and Richard are great pair and a great addition to the Lore. I can just imagine them going to Sylum..so Matt can talk to Nico and Richard trying to get Cook and Cook Lite out of THEIR kitchen and Thomas snickering behind his hand when they chase him out with wooden spoons and an iron skillet… LOL! Sorry, I get weird scenarios in my head sometimes. (Oh, and Dean calmly eating pie and chuckling while the mayhem goes on around him.)
Someone has watched Moon Knight! I would love to read more about Bayek. Hell, Khonshu scared the liver out of me when I first watched the show…
Did I tell you how much I adore this story?
More, please?!
—Naj 😀 😀 ⭐⭐♥️♥️♥️♥️