Into the Lion's Mouth - Nancy McConnell

In 1498, an orphan can't expect much out of life. But the Renaissance is burgeoning, and Venice ripe with infinite possibilities. Nico is a child of the city, and his veins run with canal water. Rising above his lowly status, apprentice to a painter, just might be possible in the city of bridges. He's determined to use his wit and wile to become something more than another errand boy.

But his hopes come crashing to the ground when he witnesses deception in Venice's inner circle. To escape the vengeance of the corrupt Lord Foscari, Nico travels half a world away to safety. But danger follows him to the streets of Constantinople where he discovers a peril looms over Venice that threatens to destroy it. Now he's forced to make a choice: stay safe in a foreign land and let Venice fall or risk his life to save everything he loves. Can he save his city, or will he lose his life trying?