Secrets of Magic

Chapter Four: Shattered Glass

Emily knew she was probably walking to her death. But that fact didn't her from staring in awe at the building. No, building sounded much too mediocre for something like this. It was better described as a grand castle. White marble infused with swirls of pink provided the support for glass windows, massive, glimmering diamond chandeliers and elegant paintings. The guards' boots clanked against the marble flooring. Clink, clink, clink.

Light bulbs hid in the diamonds of chandeliers, creating shiny rainbows on the precious stone surrounding them and illuminating the soft pink swirls in the marble.

Pictures hanging on the wall depicted figures and scenes. There were a few Greek gods and goddesses mixed in with portraits of cruel looking men and women standing with their children. Emily guessed these were family portraits because each person had the same vicious look in their eyes.

Eventually, Emily stopped looking at the family portraits all together, as that expression looked familiar. Instead, Emily looked at battle scenes and natural beauties captured in pastel. Soaring purple snow-capped mountains filled the canvas of one frame while a crystal blue stream slithered its way through a beautiful, lush forest filled with evergreens. Villagers danced around a tall, orange bonfire while elegant women gracefully waltzed in a golden ballroom, their hands interlocked with the hands of well-dressed young men.

The more Emily saw, the more she loved seeing these paintings. She practically forgot about her hard life. She couldn't remember all the fights her mom and dad had. She couldn't remember the terror and betrayal she felt as Jim dragged her through the rain. It was all a fading memory in the distance.

Gorgeous painting entranced her as if they had magical powers. She only came out of this hypnotic state when the guard stopped her from running into a set of double doors.

"Alright, kids, better behave for the Boss." Emily memories all came rushing back as she tried to make sense of the scene around her. A list of questions came to her. Who was the Boss? Could he be Emily's father? Someone who worked for Emily's father? Remembering her father, Emily recalled hearing her mother's name mentioned before she was kidnapped. One of the men had asked if Emily was Nora's.

 I'm such an idiot for not thinking of this sooner! What did her mother have to do with this mess? If her mom was involved somehow and Emily thought she heard her father's voice then "the Boss" had to be Emily's dad.

Which meant Emily would probably have nightmares for the next 23 years of her life. If she was lucky.

Somehow, this whole string of thought was able to be crammed into Emily's head in just a few seconds, as that was the amount of time she had she, along with Jim and Livana, were pushed into the main room. This room was much more impressive than the hallways. Bigger chandeliers, more detailed paintings, more pinks swirls on more white marble.

A huge glass water fountain stood in the room. But, Emily didn't noticed any of this as the real centerpiece was the man sitting in a throne. Throne seemed like an understatement. Made of pure gold, with abstract engravings on it, the throne shone so bright it almost hurt to look at.

Yet, the man stole Emily's attention. He looked strong and muscular. His brown hair and sideburns were neatly trimmed. He wore an oily black suit, just like his guards.

But, he had no red cape or red top hat. A red crown was placed on his head. Instead of guns hanging from his belt, wand and swords hung. Things that looked suspiciously like herbs bulged from his pockets. He was looking down at the floor when the prisoners came in, so Emily didn't know what his eyes or face looked liked. Part of her didn't want to know.

"Sir, we have brought the prisoners: Emily Hahn, Jim Easton, and Livana Amherst." After the guard finished speaking, the Boss looked up. Emily nearly vomited, right there, but managed to hold it in.