Snippet #1432167

A slight smirk crept across Daniella's lips, nearly invisible as she heard the man's desperate cries. She stood back and watched from a distance as a crowd gathered around the distraught young man. She recognised him as Amres' nephew, Stephan de Aurin. Strange that he had not been attendant at the party until now, she thought to herself. two more figures were quick to follow the boy. Jean and Victoria de Cristescu, who shared the boy's anxious looks. They were breathing heavily from the run and Jean braced himself on the door frame.

The crowd parted as James approached the boy, a look of concern written across his face. The short man looked up at Stephan.

"My boy, what is the matter?" He asked.

"Uncle." Stephan said, gripping James by the shoulders. The blood from his gloves stained James' coat. "He's been killed. Someone has killed him." The young man's words were hurried and choked.

"Who, Stephan. Who has been killed?" James took Stephan's face in his hands, looking into the boy's bulging eyes.

"Uncle Lucenzio." Stephan panted, almost in disbelief at his own words. James' expression turned quickly to one of shock as he froze. Stephan rose, looking to the others in the hall. "Someone!" He cried out. "Someone call the guard!" He was sobbing, tears streamed down his cheeks.

"Do as he says." Jean barked, stepping forward into the hall. James turned away, his head buried in his hand.

"Stephan!" Charlotte cried out, running to him. She threw her arms around him and hugged him tight. "I-" She started, but could not find the words. He shook in her arms as his body was wracked by sobs and she stroked a hand through his sandy blonde hair.

***

There was a loud, frantic rapping on Janos' door as the messenger called out for the inspector loudly.

"Inspector Souan!" The messenger bellowed, his voice urgent with panic. He stepped backwards and looked up at the windows of the house. "Inspector! You must come quickly! There has been an incident!" The young man shouted. He was a callow youth with lank blonde hair that hung limply about his face. He brushed back the curls from his face as he waited for an answer.