Hi, this story is a spin off from my other story 'The Morning Star'. It's not necessary to read that first but you should know that Anastasia is the result of an affair between Valentine Morgenstern and Amatis Herondale. This series will be a collection of short stories about her life growing up, hope you like it. Please review x
It was pitch black in the wardrobe, where Anastasia crouched uncontrollably shaking. Pushing herself as far as she could into back she began to pray please God don't let him find me please please…
She could her his loud footsteps thudding around outside the room
"DO YOU THINK YOU CAN HIDE FROM ME!" Valentine's voice thundered through her terrified brain.
Please please please…
"FOR EVERY MINUTE YOU MAKE ME SEARCH YOU WILL GET ONE MORE WHIP CAN YOU UNDERSTAND THAT!"
No no no please please please not again not again…
A sudden bang made her jump so badly the whole wardrobe shook violently. Eerie silence followed making her begin to sob. Then footsteps began to come toward the door her heart stopped, she was not at all sure she would be able to take that sort of pain again surely even death was better than that. The footsteps stopped on the other side of the wardrobe door, they were yanked back with to power for the nine year old boy who stood on the other side of them.
Johnathan looked grimly down at his little sister before saying "What did you do now?"
Despite his hard words she pulled herself out of her hiding place and flung her arms around his neck sobbing "You found me."
It was not a question but he mumbled anyway "Don't I always?"
Disentangling himself from her, but leaving his hands on her shoulders, he questioned again "What did you do?"
Hiccupping she replied "I…I…I…drew a rune that set fire to me bed" she looked down at their feet embarrassed "It was an accident."
"Of course it was" he said not unkindly.
After standing in silence for a moment Johnathan turned toward the door.
"Come on" he said motioning her to follow him.
Without hesitation Ana walked after him, only to be met by a shocking sight as soon as she got through the doorway.
"We're going to be in so much trouble" she said voice a mixture of awe and panic.
Lying unconscious at her feet was their father a vivid bruise beginning to form on his temple. The sight of such a large formidable man knocked out so thoroughly by a nine year old was unnerving.
Turning back to her from the other end of the clinical white hallway Johnathan said clearly without a hint of remorse "Correction: I am going to be is so much trouble" then shrugged and added, with a hint of impatience at her lack of response "Better my back then yours, now are you coming or not?"
Snapping out of her shock she hurried down the hall and followed him into his bedroom. The room itself was mostly like all the other rooms in the house. That was to say white with one solitary window. But Johnathan had added touches of himself here and there, mostly the mess, a clear rebellion to Valentine's strict cleanliness.
They both sat down on the small space of black carpet that was visible through the clutter of books, clothes and used paper.
"What's the date?" he said suddenly.
Surprised she tried to remember, after a few minutes she replied uncertainly "January 20th"
"Which is…?"
"My birthday?"
"Exactly!"
"So?" she said exasperated nether of their birthdays, as on the few times their father did remember them it was usually a time to realise he did really care much, and when he didn't he spent the days with Jace. She couldn't help the bubble of resentment that surfaced when she thought of him even though she knew it was wrong to feel this way, it's not like he asked for the attention.
Rolling his eyes at her reply Johnathan pulled out a single candle and lit it with a match. Holding the candle out to her he said quietly "Today you've spent eight years on this planet, make a wish for the years to come"
Closing her eyes she blew wishing silently don't let him wake up she did not care that it was close to patricide to wish for you father's death. Opening her eyes again she found nothing but affection in her brothers normally dead black eyes.
"Open your hand" he commanded.
Complying she felt him press something into her outstretched palm. Only when it flared up did she realise that it was witch light. Unbidden tear filled her warm blue eyes, as he treated her to a rare shy smile.
The spell was broken as they heard a stirring from the hall…