Chapter One
An Intrusion
Damien crept through the hallway in his bare feet, years of experience and honed instincts guiding him as he inched along the darkened corridor. The irony of having to sneak through his own house wasn't lost on him, having spent years doing the same in the villas and chateaus of affluent collectors. He adjusted his grip on the antique German luger, cursing the mixture of fear and adrenaline keeping him from holding it steady. Stopping and closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and willed his body to relax. after a few seconds he calmly resumed his prowl, slowly making his way to the main atrium.
He had been awakened a few minutes earlier by the alarm system. Assuming that a rival was attempting to lift a piece from his private collection, (something that just isn't done amongst respectable thieves) he grabbed the restored pistol from his bedside and slunk out of the room intent on scaring the shit out of the little prick that had broken in.
As he rounded a corner, he noticed a soft flickering golden light coming from under the door to the atrium. His first thought was that the he must have left the fireplace burning. That thought was jostled aside as the next one showed up which was that he never lit the fireplace. Then the notion that, whatever douchebag broke in had lit a fire, popped in. Damien knew no thief was stupid or arrogant enough to build a fire in the house he was breaking into. Furthermore, anyone intent on doing him harm wouldn't waste time with it either. Curiosity took the place of fear and mild irritation, the place of adrenaline. so he simply strolled toward the door and walked through.
The fire crackled cheerily. A tall figure stood silhouetted against the golden flames, cigar smoke wreathing what appeared to be an old English Admirals hat. Damien lifted the luger to his chest and pointed it at the intruder. He cocked it as loudly as he could and noticed the stranger start slightly at the sound. The figure turned its head slightly and chuckled softly. Something about the laugh set off alarms in Damien's head but before he could react the stranger spoke.
"How do you even know if that gun still works?" The voice was that of a young man. smooth and tinged with amused condescension. It was a voice Damien knew well. A voice he had grown up with. It was the voice of mischief itself.
