Chapter 1
Sprinting around the corner into the alley, Jax ducked into the shadows pressing his body against the cold brick wall. Soldiers ran past a few seconds later shouting and searching for something or what seemed like someone. Barely able to breathe for fear of getting caught, he waited. As the long minutes passed- for to Jax they felt not like minutes but like hours- he stood noiseless. Thinking things seemed to be suddenly quiet, too quiet for his own comfort, Jax stayed still, mustering up the courage to emerge from the shadows. As he inched forward, he strained his eyes in the dark to see the ground, making an effort not to make more noise than necessary. When he got to the corner he glanced around checking both ways and then again to assure himself that everything was clear. Then turning, he darted around the corner and disappeared.
A few days earlier...
"Jax, where have you been? We have been swamped down here, the Mistress has invited Lord Donaway to come and dine, while you have been off gallivanting with your little woman friend no less!" exclaimed Nora, the kitchen cook who always seemed to be worrying about something.
" I would prefer it if you would stop calling her that, her name is Kira, and she is as much a human being as much as you are! And I wasn't with her anyway, I was delivering a parcel to Mr. Hudson."
"It took you two hours to deliver a parcel a few blocks away! Really Jax, if you are going to make excuses, at least make them believable. Well, never mind about that, we will discuss it later. Here, take this tray into the main room, the mistress asked for her tea and if it sits here any longer I'm afraid it will get cold before she even puts the cup to her lips!"
"But," Jax started
"Go along now Jax, and hurry!"
A few hours later, as Jax was walking back from his last delivery, he heard a familiar voice behind him call his name.
"Kira!" Jax exclaimed very surprised
"Hi Jax!" She said as she walked up to him giving him a quick kiss on the cheek and slipping her little cold hand into his. "Are you going back to Macklin's Mansion?" she asked casually
"Yes, I just dropped off of my last delivery and I am going back to finish my chores before I settle in for the night. "So what are you doing here at this time of night?"
"My father told me he was coming into town to take care of business, so I came to see if I could talk to you."
"Whats on your mind?" Jax asked looking down at her, feeling a little concerned after seeing the look on her face.
At that moment Kira's father called her. They said a brisk goodbye and she walked over to the carriage. Standing there, Jax watched Kira gingerly pick up the front of her dress step into the carriage and ride off into the dark crisp night. Turning he started slowly toward the Macklin's Mansion.
"Wake up," said little Sally shaking Jax gently "Jax, wake up!"
"What?" mumbled Jax stirring on his cot. "Sally, what are you doing here! The Mistress wouldn't want you down here, not at this hour!"
"But you promised you would help me on my school work before you had to work," explained Sally with a little hint of disappointment in her voice.
"OK, well hold on just minute, you wait outside the door while I get ready and I will be there in just a couple minute to help you. OK?"
"OK, but hurry! We only have a short time before my nanny wakes up and notices I'm gone.
After Jax was done helping Sally with her homework he helped her back to her room and tucked her safely into her bed. Having a little time to spare, Jax started up the cobblestone road. Shivering he put his hands into his coat pockets. As Jax moved his hands trying to warm them up he felt something deep in the crevice of his pocket. Feeling around he grasped the object and deliberately pulled it out. Opening his hand to his amazement he revealed a wax seal! Jax face went white. Flinging the item he started walking. After walking a few blocks, he stopped at a door. Looking cautiously around, after knocking lightly on the door he waited. The door opened, letting the warm light flood out, whispering something to the doorman, he stepped in and vanished.
