The hall was dark and the few candles there were left to light the way towards the rooms wasn't enough to do their job. Simerta was afraid of the dark. She had always been and even now, that she was 17, she used to jump up every time a shadow moved. But now she wasn't. She kept listening to the beautiful sound of the violin and her heart wasn't tight. The music was sad but sweet, better than any other she had heard. Jem was always playing music like this but Simerta never grew bored. She could listen to his music forever.
Of course the music wasn't the only reason. Simerta had been secretly in love with Jem since she was young. Her family, the Frays, was always close friends with Jem's family. Her dad and his were also best friends and they became parabatai. They used to live together while in China and there, Simerta met Jem. They had always best friends but they suddenly parted when Jem's family was killed and he had to transfer here, in London in order to be able to have better medical help. The time had gone by and Simerta made other friends but she never forgot her first friend and crush. One night she had a terrible dream. She saw Jem dying and he couldn't do a thing. That was the reason why she came all the way to England to find him.
Her thoughts were interrupt by the hiss of an animal. Simerta looked down. A white cat was standing at her feet looking her meanly. Simerta kneeled and tried to stroke the rich feather but the cat was faster. He scratched her left hand leaving three red lines that started bleeding. Simerta cursed silently.
"Tsk, tsk. Those are no manners for a lady" a voice sound. Simerta raised her head to see a boy with black hair looking at her. His face was beautiful but he had a look of agnorance. If there was something she hated, that boy had it all over his face. "A lady wouldn't also walk alone in a house at this time, especially a stranger one" he added.
Simerta was preparing to answer something not very lady-like but she remained silent as another figure got out.
"What's the matter?" he asked. His eyes turned from the face of the boy to hers only to open wide. Simerta was astonished too. His beautiful black hair and his green eyes were now silver.
"Sim…? Is that really you?"