Elora Van Eck | Kaz Brekker

Prologue 1/2

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ELORA LAY IN BED. Her room was darkened and from outside her window, she could hear an owl - two owls, maybe three as they hooted as loud as ever. Or maybe it was her focus alone that made it a lot more intense than it really was. The cold air tickled the skin on her bare arms, placing goosebumps upon it for mere moments before she shoved the blanket off her and got up.

Her father had always told her to keep the windows shut at night. This city is crowded with bad people, Elora. You must keep your window locked at night; can you do that? Elora had nodded.

She had always been the sibling to comply her father. She did whatever he asked without any complaints. Wylan on the other hand had always been obstinate. She figured that is why they had always been treated so differently.

Show loyalty to your people and the world will be kneeling at your feet.

Elora strolled to the window and her eyes wandered over the streets of Ketterdam, filled with the dim light from the rusty lanterns. She closed the window and locked it. With a quick rattle, she eased her mind as she made sure it would not pop out of its lock.

Her feet swayed over the cold floorboards, back to her warm bed. As she tucked herself in once more, ready to drift off, a loud voice tore her from her peace.

Her father had guests again. They were seated downstairs in the living room, drinking Whisky, and playing cards.

Jan Van Eck worked hard. Harder than most people to keep his business upright. Investments everywhere and business dinners every other day. That is why they traveled a lot. Elora did not understand much of it and she did not ask. She never did, simply complied.

A few months ago, Jan had enthusiastically announced that they would be moving to Ketterdam, most likely permanently. He had to meet up with some very reputable businessmen and great deals hung on the fishhook of success.

If this works out, we will never have to worry about money again, he had said.

Elora did not remember a time where they had lacked money. Whenever she needed something, her father would pull a sack filled with Kruge out of the pocket of his mantle. He never hesitated. He never worried about their fortune.

Ketterdam. That is where they had been living for the last few months now. Right before they had docked at Fifth Harbor, Jan had sat with Wylan and Elora to speak a stern word.

You need to understand that with the people of this city is not to play with. Do not go roaming the streets by yourself. Especially you, Elora. He had turned towards her, worry written on his features. Whenever you want to go somewhere, you tell Papa, and I will send a servant with you. Elora had nodded. As for you, Wylan. Jan's face shifted into a hard stone wall, no more than pure disgust damping his skin, as he turned to face his son. Do not dare to mar the Van Eck name.

Wylan and Elora were eight years old, living in a new city. They had no friends and were not allowed out without supervision. The servants her father sent would forbid her to speak to every soul that passed her ways. She felt like a shadow in the city - not able to truly live - a dead girl walking. Nonetheless, she never confronted her father. Wylan and Elora had only each other and as much as they enjoyed each other's company, at some point, playing with their sibling every day grew boring.

Elora did not like to question. She did not like to lie. And she did not like to go behind her father's back but for once in her life, she did, and not even her twin nor her mother, did she tell about this.