Chapter one: Abducted

Grace looked out through the window as the carriage pulled to a stop. They were here, her heart beat increased more than it should, a letter was all she was to deliver. She waited for the driver to open the door and gently got off the carriage.

She didn't know why her father had to rent out one of the finest carriages in town and get her a new gown just for an errand but she didn't dare question it. Before her stood a huge building that resembled the house of elders in her village, only that this one was slightly bigger and isolated.

"I'd be right back." She said to the coach man as a form of reassurance to herself. She had no idea why, but she felt some kind of off energy engulfing her. She gathered her skirts and swiftly walked over unto the steps. The moment her feet floated over the last step, the wide doors opened up and like a compelling spell, she entered.

A man appeared out of no where scaring her almost to death, he was all dressed in black, the only other color was on his hair.

"This way my lady"

Mouth wide opened, she nodded, pulling herself together. She was more than eager to get out of this place.

"I'm, I'm, I'm um... I'm looking for... "

She brought out the sealed letter from her purse to check the name it was addressed to. "Um... Mr Dante"

The man chuckled lightly, "This way" He repeated again, walking ahead of her through the corridor.

The atmosphere made Grace's heart heavy but it was a lot to tell to Cecelia when she got home. Suddenly she paused, looking around. The man had mysteriously disappeared. Her heart beat picked up, throwing her in confusion and fear.

But before her was a door. Different thoughts made it's way into her head, was she supposed to open the door? Or what if she disappeared too like that man? Was she going to die? Suddenly, the thought of death made want to faint. No! She heaved a breath and squared her shoulders, lifing both her hands out to push open the doors. A force shoved her in and shut the door instinctively, she clamped her hands over her mouth to keep the voice out.

"You're here"

A voice echoed throughout the room and a man who she hadn't noticed standing by the closed curtains came towards her. He looked more of a duke rather than an elder, Grace thought opening her mouth to talk.

"Yes, and my father um.....-"

She stopped talking when he came to a stop infront of her barely a distance between both of them, indignant, Grace stepped back, unfortunately meeting the door.

"You look better than your father described to me."

"Yes .. um... Thank you. But my father asked to give you this letter" she stretched it forward.

Whilst he opened the letter, Grace ran her eyes over him. He was more of Cecilia's type, tall, huge, dressed in no more than black, his hair packed at the back of his head, his eyes a disturbing green.

"Give me your hand"

Grace's lips trembled

"No. I have to go. I was sent only to deliver your letter and I have. So .. I have to leave"

She said starting to turn away.

"Go on"

"Thank you"

She released a breath turning to pull the door open. Once the view of the hallway was in sight, she hurried through it, never wishing to be in such circumstance again. She wondered where her father knew a such man like this. She headed towards the big doors with determination, hoping the door would open the same way it has when she wanted to enter the first place.

And it did. She ran out, stopping in her tracks when the coach man and the carriage was no where to be seen.

"Micheal." She called out, as that was the Coachman's name, her heart palpitating at the thought of him leaving her. She started to descend the stairs only to find her legs stuck on the wooden build.

"Micheal" she cried out once more, wrapping her hands about a leg to free her feet from something she could not see.

"Let me help you"

The sound of a man behind her made her jump in fear except that she didn't move. It was the man from before, the one who had led her into that room and disappeared.

"Don't worry, I don't need your help. I'm fine."

Her voice was laced with great fear, one she had never encountered in her entire life.

He hoisted her up anyway, bringing her inside, into the room she once cringed at and disappeared again.

"Why do you run?"

Dante asked in the most honest concerned tone ever coming so close as he had done before. The sound of her heart beat trashing against it's walls made him curious as it was unpleasing to his ears.

She shook her head at his question, too fearful to speak afraid that he might do something to her.

He almost simpered but curiously asked instead.

"Your father didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?" Her voice broke down

"You're in safe hands my dear" He said turning away. "Get some rest, we leave for Argos in the morning. "

"Argos isn't my home."

He waved his hands in the air as if scrolling through a discarded paper, bringing them in a room in a swift second. Grace was sure her heart stopped beating. Elders in her town had powers but not like this.

"You may rest here for the mean time."

The moment he made to bring out his hands from his pockets, Grace flew to him attempting to escape to wherever he'd go. But it was a dumb idea. He moved away in a matter of seconds causing her to fall on the floor.

"Please let me go. You absolutely have no use for me."

"I infact do. My beloved wife"