JPOV: 10 years old

This was the second time he'd been here, yet the golden-blonde head in front of me was already a permanent memory in my mind. He was... different to what I'd suspected, with a solid determination in his stance – impressive for a 9 year old. Valentine clearly thought so.

I seethed at the pleased look on Father's face when he watched Jonathan, the softening in his eyes when he succeeded. Something he'd never given me, and somewhere inside, the realisation hurt. I remained concealed behind the cavern wall, keeping an eye out for Hugo, but mostly I was transfixed by the training session between Valentine and Jonathan.

"Well done, my son," Father praised, ruffling Jonathan's hair with a smile that could've almost been described as affectionate. I gasped for breath, forcing down the pathetic tears at this... this twit that walked right into my life and got everything I'd ever wanted just like that. Just like that! "Now, let's focus on taming. When you grow up, you'll need to gain control over people, creating allies and enemies in the process. Let's begin."

Jonathan nodded eagerly, and I barely resisted the urge to pummel him to the ground, to make him understand just how stupidly lucky he was. "Of course, Father." He's not your father! He's mine! I clenched my fists and followed them silently into another room, trying to keep my haggard breaths under control.

Valentine's eyes narrowed as he started to turn around, and I dived behind a wall.

"Father, is there anything wrong?" The other Jonathan piped up, the innocent sound of his voice making me hate even more if that were even possible.

"Nothing to worry about, my boy. Nothing at all..."

I held my breath as they both walked out, and didn't dare to emerge from behind the wall until ten minutes later. I followed the sound of their voices as I walked, realising too late that they were headed outside. It was like another world to me now, the opening of sunlight pouring into the cave as I tentatively approached it. I was punished severely by Father if I dared to even poke my head out into the open air, and yet part of Jonathan's training took place out here.

My heart felt like a target hit too many times, now barely hanging on a nail. I took a deep breath before leaving the cave, spotting the familiar lake where I'd checked my wounds a few years ago. Jonathan and Father were standing by a tree, standing so close together that their arms were brushing. Charming, I thought in disgust, but deep down, I was jealous and wanting for that kind of attention. The gentle, caring kind.

I edged closer, using my training to roll expertly over to a rock and take cover behind it. I heard their conversation carried by the wind, "... too fearsome to be tamed. I give this challenge to you, Jonathan."

I craned my neck to see the blonde boy stare in fascination at something perched on Valentine's arm. A falcon, beady eyes glaring at Jonathan, matching my own hatred.

"Don't be afraid. It senses fear. Come carefully." Valentine instructed, and Jonathan bit his lip, eyeing the bird of prey nervously. I tried not to scoff – this boy was pathetic, frightened because of an overgrown pigeon! Couldn't Father see I was the better son?

Jonathan edged over cautiously, reaching out a shaking hand to touch the falcon, who cawed sharply. The boy flinched but continued, stretching until his finger brushed the feathers on the bird's wing. He looked mesmerised, now fully stroking the bird with wide, golden eyes while it's slitted gaze slid over him.

Valentine nodded approvingly, "Tame this beast, Jonathan. Keep it blind, and be its master." Jonathan nodded, though there was something in his expression that told me he wouldn't do it, not really. It was an odd look on a young boy's face, one I'd never seen before – an intense sorrow, regret but overall determination. Where I was determined to please Father, this Jonathan looked determined to defy him.

"Ok, let's head back inside." I took in Valentine's words with a jolt and leapt into action, rolling along the ground and sprinting back into the cave, ducking a few stalagmites along the way. Their voices echoed along the walls like alarms bells, getting louder as they got closer.

"Father, when are we returning home?"

"All in due time, Jonathan."

I knew Jonathan lived in the Wayland family manor, the place he called 'home' and I'd worked out that that must have been where Valentine little errands had taken place – in the manor, playing happy families with Jonathan, pretending to be his real father. Oh, how I longed to tell him his whole family was a lie.

I grabbed hold of a rocky ledge and hoisted myself up, grazing my hands and knees as I climbed out of sight. I sighed as I finally stopped, looking down to see Valentine's white-blonde head and Jonathan's golden one. I peered down, trying to pick up snatches of conversation between the two when something caught my eye.

Hugo sat perched on a ledge not far from mine, his piercing, black eyes aimed right at me. I silently prayed for the damn bird to keep his beak shut, watching him desperately. I swear the thing was smirking, realising the power he had in the situation, the amount of trouble he could get me into. Don't fly down to him, please don't...

And just my luck, Hugo let out a caw and swooped down, his claw gashing my cheek as he flew past. I winced, feeling blood well up in the small cut, wetting my palm.

Father raised his eyebrows at Hugo, who was making a racket, shrieking and screaming. Couldn't make it more obvious, could he?

"What's the matter with Hugo?" Jonathan wondered aloud, looking up to where Hugo had been. I shrank further into the shadows as his golden eyes passed over, heaving a sigh of relief.

"I think I have an idea." Valentine smirked slightly, black eyes glinting as his gaze wondered up and fell right on me.

I froze in terror as his eyes narrowed, the smirk becoming more of a grimace. I could almost feel the whip slashes across my back, vicious cracks meeting skin ringing in my ears. "Let's go back to the mansion, shall we?" It wasn't a question that needed an answer, and even Jonathan knew that, running to catch up with him as they both left the cave together.

I sank against the ledge, utter fear making my blood run cold. I was done for, and I knew it.