CHAPTER 1


The only sound I could hear was the crackle of the feu burning in the fireplace. I stared up at the purple Victorian canvas above my head. It is probably 5 in the morning, my eyes were so sore but I couldn't close them. I was very tired but I couldn't stop thinking about what happened after dîner last night.
    It was around eight in the evening. My brother and I had just finished eating when out of the blue; Mr. Matinary stormed in demanding to talk to my brother at once. Mr. Matinary, a stocky man with dark hair who is a friend of my brothers he was holding a handkerchief with something tightly wrapped inside. It was shaped like an egg.
    My brother stood up silently and led him upstairs to the study. Since I am very curious, I went up after them a few minutes later. I put my ear up to the door but all I could hear was Mr. Matinary say in a deep upset voice
''You can't keep this a secret for long. If toi don't help me I will let the government know of what toi have done.''
    He stomped out of the house. He must have been very angry because he didn't even notice me. My brother stayed in the study the rest of the night.
    My name is Alana Bonatie. I'm 16 years old with short, curly black hair and bright green eyes. I have lived with my brother since my parents were murdered when I was 4. My brother, Carlos is 26 years old. He is tall with black hair like me and has hazel eyes.
    I sat up and put my pet maki, lémurien Leos on my lap. Well if I can't sleep there is no point in staying in lit I thought. I got my house manteau off the front of my lit and stuck Leos in the pocket as I stepped into the hall way. The marble floor I was cold on my bare feet. I ran across the hall to the study. I could see my brother through the key hole, asleep at his desk. He gets very grumpy when woken so I quietly walked down the twisty staircase to the cuisine where I can hear our maid Jema hard at work.
    Jema is always nice to talk to. I think she is the most beautiful woman in the world. She has long brown hair and violet eyes; her skin is the softest olive colour, and a most lovely laugh. I stepped into the cuisine and saw her starting a breakfast of sausage, eggs, pain grillé and hot cocoa. She looked up just as I walk in.
''Good morning and how is my little rose petal'' she a dit putting some nourriture on a plate for me then turning to clean her hands on a towel. Jema never cleans her hands off on her cloths because she is a bit of a neat freak. She was wearing a long silky night dress though it looks much to fancy for sleep wear, and Jema made it look even plus beautiful. No doubt it was a gift from Carlos; despite the fact that she was our house caretaker he loved her the most. That's one of the many things I adored about my brother he was not arrogant enough to think he was better than her.
'' Fine, just real tired'' I answer. Jema laid the plate of nourriture down on the table.
    ''Let me guess the fight your brother had with Mr. Matinary last night kept toi awake'' she said.
''Yep, I couldn't stop thinking about it... HEY!'' I yelled so loud Jema dropped a plate on the floor. ''Sorry, Jem I'll clean that up, but I just remembered when Mr. Matinary left he didn't have that wrapped up object with him, which means it must still be in the study.'' My eyes gleamed with excitement
'' Alana you're not allowed in the study.''
''I know Jem but toi are.'' I a dit with a sneaky grin.