- Emmalina's Point of View -

"That's a charming place to live," Joe said sarcastically, looking up at the sharp black stone walls of Louis De Landro's manor.

"Callum us to live her?" I said under my breath.

"He what?" Samantha asked, a little bit too loud.

"Shhh...I'll explain later."

"Along with everything else," She grumbled.

Just then Rowan and the soldiers walked up the path to the manor, disappearing behind the stone walls.

"Come on," I said, climbing out of our hiding spot and dogging behind rocks, making my way toward the gate.

....................................................................................

- Rowan's Point of View -

I walked up the stony path and into the courtyard of my dad's ugly home. He certainly didn't have very good taste. Everything was stone. Stone statues, stone walkways, stone steps, stone walls. No flowers or grass, or any color whatsoever. My hands were tied behind my back in the most uncomfortable way possible, but I was sure it was going to get a lot worse in just a few minutes.

"Welcome home little princess," Fletcher mocked.

"Sure, say all you want. I just can't wait till you fall on your knees and cringe in fear of getting your head nocked off by my dad; even though I hate to call him that."

Fletcher shot me an evil glance, but didn't say anything. We walked up the long winding steps that led to my dads office, each step seeming like an eternity. Eventually we made it the top where I was told to wait outside the office door. It didn't take long before I was told to go in...Alone. It's not like I was scared to go in, but at the same time, I had been running for years just to be caught again. It all seemed like I would've been better off jumping from a cliff.

I walked slowly into the room, Fletcher shutting the door behind me. It was a pretty ugly room, with black stone walls, wine colored curtains, faded tapestries, a grey colored carpet that at one time was probably more a dark purple color, and a big oak desk covered in papers. At the head of the desk was a tall, bald man, with a long face and a pointy goatee and mustache. He had one ear pierced with a gold ring hanging from it, and he wore an array of colored silks, mostly dark colors.

The man was my father.

As I walked into the room he looked up, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"I thought you'd be smarter then to come around these parts," He said with a smirk.

"I thought for sure you'd be dead by now, old man," I scowled.

I guess I got my hot temper from him, though I'd hate to admit it.

"Well you thought wrong. You see, when I married your mother I thought for sure I'd get a nice little girl who always obeyed her betters. I can see that I was wrong in that aspect as well, but I'm willing to admit it."

The thought of Callum immediately popped into my head. Had he really forgotten about Callum? Or had he just not brought him up yet?

"I may have betters, but you're certainly not one of them," I shot back.

"You still haven't learned your lesson have you? I guess I'll just have to teach you...Along with your mother."

Suddenly panic shot through me. Was she here? Had he tortured her until she finally gave up? All these thoughts, along with others, were passing through my head, but I didn't show it.

"Where is she?" I asked, keeping a calm look.

"She's dead. I killed her myself."

"You seriously think I'm going to believe that? You don't have the guts to do that. She's still alive and I know it as well as you do. Now where is she?" I slammed my fist on his desk.

"Why should I tell you? You stole my son, I stole your mother. Now we're even."

So that was it. He finally brought Callum up. Maybe I did deserve to be beaten, but Callum never did anything to hurt anyone.

"Where is he, Rowan?"

I glared at him for what seemed an eternity, then, with one swift movement, I punched him right in the face.

"I'll never tell you."

And before he could grab me I ran to the window and quickly climbed out, using the jagged rocks as footholds.

"GET HER!" I heard my dad yell.

This wasn't going to do. They would be down stairs before I could get down there and then they'd just catch me again. I looked around, as much as I could with the wind blowing my hair into my face, and saw that the left wing tower wasn't too far away. The roof of the tower was actually slightly lower then the wall itself, so if I hid up there, they would never find me. Then when night time came I could make my getaway.

I slowly climbed up the wall, grasping at the slightly wet stone, just hoping that I wouldn't fall. It wouldn't be very difficult if the rock had been dry, but with the recent rain it was going to be a pain to get all the way to the tower. I took a deep breath and stretched my arm forward, grabbing a stone that was jutting out. Then I slowly moved my left foot up and so on, making my wait up the tower wall. I guess I probably looked slightly like a spider, but I've always been able to climb. Just one of the many things you learn while running away; but some of it does have to come naturally.

Eventually I made it to the top, pulling myself over the wall and falling to the stone roof. I pulled myself upright and peaked over the wall, looking out over the courtyard. Just as I looked a bunch of soldiers came flowing out of the buildings, all going in separate directions. Why do I always get in these situations?

- Alright, kind of a short chapter, I know. Also, sorry for taking so long on the update. I was going to do it on Saturday but we had to go help at a bake sale, then on Sunday I was at church all day, then Monday I was at a friends house. So today I finally got to sit down and write. LOL XD. Hope you guys liked the chapter and if you did, votes and comments are appreciated. Thanks :D - Anna

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Okay, so on Sunday this very book was number 194 in Adventure. Can you believe that? It's insane. Thank you guys sooooo much for all your support. You seriously don't know how much it means to me. Thanks again XD -