England, London, 1866

Grey was the colour of the girls' eyes. She appeared to be only between the ages of two to four, and her mother was carrying her. The father was holding her older brothers' hand because he couldn't stay still and would run away if the father would let go. A woman who looked similar to the young girls' mother was walking next to them. They seemed to be full of life and joy.

Emanuel could not stop thinking of them. Why did their lives, well the girls' life, interfere and matter so much to the plan? Emanuel had not been asked by Mortmain to find them again since the last time he'd travelled to New York, apparently the master needed only to be sure they were alive. The terrifying thought that Mortmain might replace Emanuel with the girl made him shudder, what could possibly be so great about her? The young girl must be too fragile to work for Mortmain, Emanuel persuaded himself. There ought be no chance of replacing Emanuel, all though minor mistakes had occurred, caused by Emanuel, the master was merciful with him. Except that one time when they were making their first trip to London together. Emanuel would never forgot that memory, it was right of his master to react the way he had.

"Stop muddle around, Emanuel." Mortmain hissed at the five year-old. They were making it downstairs and out, to the carriage.

"I'm sorry, it's just-" said Emanuel before he was interrupted.

"You must always remember to respond to me with the word, "master". Otherwise there will not be any dinner for you tonight."

"I'm sorry, master, I'm excited because it's always been a wish of mine to see London."

Axel Mortmain responded by pulling the five year-olds' arm. It hurt Emanuel but the chance of him mentioning it was little so he was quiet. The coachman opened the door to them and Mortmain went in and after followed Emanuel. During their journey to London the little boy was quiet, he had already learned that he'd only speak to his master if he was being spoken to.

Many hours passed by and eventually the carriage stopped. Emanuel was eager to leave the carriage since he'd been undiverted from the long ride. Apparently they were in a village, infront of them was a grand and old lodge. Mortmain marched towards the lodge and as a obedient servant Emanuel marched behind him. The inside of the lodge began with a corridor followed by a large saloon, a pedant hang from the high celling and there were wooden tables with chairs, a few people had located themselves on the tables and no one looked up as Mortmain and Emanuel entered the room. A tall woman walked up to them: "Welcome to Black's tavern. What are your requests?

"I require the best room you have. And I need three hot meals." Mortmain responded.

"Of course, would you have your meals now?"

Mortmain nodded and seated himself on a table, Emanuel sat across from him. The woman brought them two meals and said she'll bring the other one when the coachman arrives.

"Your room is number fourteen, it's up the stairs and to your right." remarked the woman and gave Mortmain the key.

"Go help him." Mortmain commanded, giving the boy the key. Emanuel hadn't even tasted the hot soup but he rushed up and took off to help the coachman, he was taking down the luggages. Without exchanging words, the coachman gave him two heavy bags to carry up to their room.

By the time Emanuel had dragged both of the luggages up the stairs he was sweaty and huffed. An old woman dressed all in black headed towards him.

"Do you need help?" she asked.

Emanuel wasn't too sure if he'd say yes but the woman could be one of the servants working here so he nodded instead. The old woman who was surpassingly strong lifted both of the luggages, took the key from his hands and went ahead of Emanuel to room fourteen. The boy was shocked, how could she know what room was theirs?

The woman left the room before Emanuel had even gone in there.

"How did you know it was our room?" Emanuel inquired.

The woman shrugged, offering him the key:"I work here and the hirer told me to help you."

After finishing their meals Emanuel, Mortmain and the coachman took off to their room. The three of them were tired enough to fall asleep at once.

Someone shook Emanuel out of his sleep: "Wake up, you moron!"

Emanuel opened his eyes slightly and saw Mortmain glaring down at him. He held in his hand a bloody knife and a key.

"Did you let this woman into our room?" The master was pointing at a woman who was lying in a puddle of blood. It was the first time Emanuel had ever seen a dead person in real life, he began feeling sick to his stomach. Emanuel couldn't bear to look at her.

"Yes." Emanuel managed to whisper.

Mortmain slapped him across his cheek. It burned and the boy could feel the taste of blood.

"You dim boy, do you know who she was? She was a Shadowhunter, she had taken the other key that was in this room and sneaked in here during the night to kill all of us!" barked Mortmain. The coachman wasn't there, he must had left to fetch for help.

"She had lied to me...sh..she said she worked h..here." Emanuel whispered. Any minute and he'd be barfing.

Mortmain slapped him again and it was a wonder that Emanuel didn't barf.

"You can never trust anyone else than me! No one else, everyone in this world will betray you but I will always be the one to depend on." Mortmain sounded furious, he was breathing heavily.

"Tonight you will sleep outside, just next to the carriage. It might teach you to know that you can only be safe under my watch. Tomorrow you'll go back to the country-house I made a foolish mistake to think that you could come with me to London."

Emanuel shivered. He'd never forgot to not once make such a mistake ever again.

Any comments on this chapter? :)