The Heirs

Ethan: I Will Find You

Chapter 4:

(Ethan POV) -Albuquerque-

The sun was already brightly shinning before I woke up and I looked over at the clock and realized that I had overslept. I quickly got out of bed and went out into the halls. Everyone was still asleep. It was a lot later than it should have been. Our steward, the butlers, the cooks, the maids weren't anywhere to be seen. I then realized that neither were the guards. I ran to Alden's room and started banging on the door, "ALDEN! ALDEN!' He groggily came out, "What the heck Ethan? It's the middle of the..." "Alden it is 11 a.m. and none of the staff is awake, including the guards." His eyes widened as well and we both went barreling down the hallways. We got to their rooms and ripped the doors open. Emma wasn't in her bed. I opened the adjoining door and saw Alden discovering that Mia wasn't there either. We shared a look, "EMMA!" I started screaming as he started screaming, "MIA!" We continued running down the hallways until we reached Mom and Dad's room. I was banging on the door again. Dad groggily opened the door, "The girls are missing."

Within the hour every single guard, knight and volunteer was sent out. Dad was sending for Uncle James while also contacting all of our relatives asking for whatever help they could offer. Mom was completely devastated and Alden and I were sitting with her trying to comfort her but, to no avail. "My babies," Mom would quietly cry to herself along with other things that were muffled with cries. Alden and I both surrounded her in a hug and she held onto us both tightly. Dad came into the room, "They are not anywhere in the castle or on the property." He looked over at Mom and came closer, "Sofia." He firmly closed his eyes and took a breath, "Boys, why don't you give us a minute? Just please stay in the castle." He both nodded and I watched as Dad went down to Mom and she began sobbing and visibly shaking in Dad's arms. I felt useless in that moment.

(Alden POV)

All I could think about was Mia and Emma. Emma is outspoken and I was terrified that she was going to say something that would only get them in more trouble. And Mia... poor Mia she already had issues with her confidence and her stutter she was probably terrified. I sat in the room with Ethan and Mom and just didn't know what to do or say. We were always warned as kids to be careful but this time they came into our home and took them. I just continued to hug Mom as she held onto my arm with all her might and Ethan held onto her as tight as he could. What am I going to do? Eventually Dad came in and he took over taking care of Mom. I went back to my room and leaned up against the wall. I was giving myself one more hour. After that I am going to go back and help everyone organize searches, do whatever everyone needed me to do but, I needed one hour for myself.

Not five minutes later though, the knocks started at my door. Guards, Knights all asking questions I had no answers to from behind my door. I finally took a breath and faced them. "Let's go down to the meeting room we will start organizing the groups. Any group with volunteers needs at least one knight with them but, guards can go on their own." I began delegating to all the people around me. Mom needed Dad and I had no idea where Ethan was but, someone in this family had to do something and I guess that would have to be me.

(Damira POV)

I woke up later than I should have the next day as I heard a commotion coming from all directions. I quickly got dressed and went out and tried to stop one of the knights, "Squire why aren't you with your liege?" I was confused, "I don't know what is going on Sir. What happened?" He gave me a somber look, "The young princesses were both kidnapped." The sentence sucked the breath right out of me. No. They couldn't have. I thought to myself. It was impossible. I ran toward the castle making my way through the servants corridors, no one questioning me as I was a squire. I stopped one of the maids, "Where is the princesses' rooms?" She directed me and I made my way there.