Prologue
The door to the cellar creaked open to reveal a dark figure slipping inside. This was a secret entrance that only his family knew of. He was positive that the house was not being watched, but it wouldn’t hurt to be careful. Especially when it could mean capture and a very long prison term. Large puddles formed on the rough stone steps as the figure crept down the stairs as quietly as he could.
The figure moved to the door leading to the pantry and turned the knob slowly. He peeked around the corner to ensure he was alone before he proceeded to the stairs that would take him to the bedrooms on the second floor. He was shivering from the cold, soaked to the bone after running through the heavy downpour outside.
But it was worth it and he did not regret going out on such a dreadful night. It was better than hiding in his cave to await his doom. Only his wits and acute survival instincts had enabled him to elude the hunters.
As far as he could tell, the authorities were still unaware of his whereabouts and he wanted it to stay that way. They had stopped monitoring this house after three months of his non-appearance. They were probably now waiting for him at one of his rest houses in the country.
As if he would be that stupid!
He’d thought of waking up his wife, but she’d already left, choosing to stay in her family’s ancestral home to avoid the constant stream of reporters and Ministry investigators. She would not have welcomed him with open arms, even if she was here. He knew how much she hated him right now and he doubted if she’d already altered her stand. He truly wanted to make things right; to explain himself to her, but her last scathing words still rang in his ears.
Besides, after he has retrieved what he had come for, it would not matter anyway. Things between them would change.
EVERYTHING would change!
He walked to the room at the end of the hall. It was his son’s room. This was the last place he had visited before he made his disappearing act. After the Ministry raids, he knew it would be the safest place to hide his precious, albeit illegal, artifact. His wife would not even dream of searching her son’s room; she trusted him that much.
And why shouldn’t she? He was as different from his father as night was from day. It caused a pang in his heart. Oh, yes! Despite what everyone thought, he did have a heart. And it broke into a million pieces when he saw his world crumbling before his very eyes. How could they turn against him like that? Didn’t they realize he was only looking after the family name and legacy? How could they choose to betray their bloodline?
But enough of that! He had work to do and he must do it fast!
The room was pitch black, but he didn’t need any illumination to accomplish his purpose. He knew this room like the back of his hand. The thick carpeting muffled his steps, so he padded across the floor, straight to the large, four-poster bed. He went down on his knees when he felt the bed. Sliding his hand beneath the thick mattress, he pressed the round button recessed into the wood frame. Hearing the telltale click, he moved his fingers to the small compartment he knew was now open.
His heart pounded against his chest, fearing what he would find. Had his inquisitive son discovered his secret? Hopefully not! He sighed in relief when his hand felt the cold, metallic object nestled within the compartment. He slid it into his pocket before running down the stairs and into the pouring rain.
A few meters away from the house, he turned to look up at the darkened structure. Next time, he would no longer be skulking in the shadows. He would return as the lord of his own castle.
He would retrieve everything he’d lost during the war—his dignity, pride, and rightful place in society. He would even take back his treacherous wife and his disillusioned son.
And he would make sure that things remained as they should.
