Lily left the orphanage with an elated balloon expanding in her chest. Lily Emma Lucas…Lily Emma Lucas… A small smile danced across her lips; for the first time in her life, a sense of belonging spread its wings and warmed her heart…

“Lily!” a voice hissed causing Lily to jump about a metre in the air. Her head whipped round, her eyes seeking the speaker.

A tall boy with tanned skin, about her age, stepped out from the shadows of the orphanage.

“Come with me.” He whispered and pulled on her hand. His touch was warm and sent an unexpected spark of electricity up her arm.

“Who are you?” Lily asked; feeling slightly calmer, but still withdrawing her hand.

The boy looked impatient, running a hand through his thick black hair. “We don’t have time for questions. Now hurry.” He pulled on her hand again and, this time, Lily relented and followed him, sensing friendship in his stormy grey eyes.

“Who are you?” Lily repeated as she struggled to match his forceful pace. When he made no response, Lily tried again, “How do you know who I am?”

“Later.” He muttered increasing his speed.

After what seemed like an age, with no conversation, the boy pulled her down a dark alleyway and through an oak door.

“Mum?” he called out softly, locking the door behind them, “Mum, I found her.”

Slowly a woman descended the stairs. Lily gasped quietly at the woman’s beauty. She had the same tanned skin as her son and her flowing curls also matched the boy’s jet black hair. Her bottomless brown eyes were filled with love and warmth. When she saw Lily, her face broke into a relieved smile, “Lily…” Pulling a slightly stunned Lily into her arms, she embraced her lovingly.

The boy smiled, “Mother, give her a chance to at least know your name.”

“I don’t even know yours yet.” Lily pointed out once his mother had released her. She wanted answers.

“Leo!” the woman scolded, hitting him gently across his head. “Ever heard of manners?”

Lily tried to suppress a small smile. “Leo?” she murmured thoughtfully.

Leo nodded. “Yeah, as in the constellation. My Father had a star name.” He acknowledged his Mum, “And this is Perla, my mother.” His smile suddenly faded as he noticed the tears filling Perla’s eyes. “Mum?” he whispered questioningly.

“I’m fine dear.” She replied blinking her tears away and she forced a smile, to which Leo sighed and comfortingly hugged her. Looking to Lily he said; “My Dad has been missing for several months.”

 “I’m so sorry…” Lily whispered, a genuine sadness reaching her heart.

Perla smiled sadly, “It isn’t your fault.”

“It’s your Dad’s.” Leo muttered bitterly.

“Leo, that’s enough!” his mother snapped.

Lily frowned slightly, but then her eyes lit up. “You know my father? Can you take me to him?”

Perla’s eyes had widened in alarm. “Of course not, dear! You’re to stay here where I can keep an eye on you.”

Lily was, admittedly, shocked. “Why? I don’t even know you! I want to see my dad.” She finished stubbornly.

Leo sighed again. “Lily, sit down.” He put his arm around shoulders and she felt that same electric shock that warmed her chest. Reproaching herself, she sat down next to him and his mother positioned herself opposite them.

Leo spoke first, “It’s about time you know exactly who your parents are, who you are…and above all: what you’re getting yourself in for.”

*****

The deserted house was situated at the mouth of the forest. Residents of the surrounding area avoided the grounds if they could at all help it. Needless to say, the mystery and neglect of this building attracted William Lucas. The hard dusty walls had witnessed a lot of intense activity during his meetings. On this night, however, the house sheltered a considerably larger amount of soldiers than usual.

“The pressing matter is this,” Will began, “My daughter reaches her sixteenth birthday tomorrow.”

A sharp current of pleasure surged through the anticipating congregation.

“Unfortunately, her guardian has allowed her to slip from out clutches.” As he hissed these words he glared furiously at his Suppono, his under boss.

Jack just rolled his eyes and glared back. “Did I know the brat was going to bolt it?”

“That’s not the point!” Will fired up. “If we don’t find her by nine o’clock tomorrow evening…” he left the rest unsaid.

The gathering began to panic slightly. Jack just yawned. “Relax Will. As soon as any of us see her we shall alert you immediately.” His voice held a mocking tone which infuriated his older brother. Jack sensed Will’s agitation and fought his lips not to smirk.

Will wasn’t fooled. He made a forceful move towards Jack, but a young woman held onto his arm. “Will, no.”

Jack grinned at the woman. “Why, thank you Nicole, dear.”

Will took a deep breath and turned to face the assembly. “If we don’t find her in time…she will be of no use.”

A spark of alarm flashed in Jack’s eyes but he looked down to conceal it. Nicole smiled at Will admiringly. They all knew what fate awaited those who are classed as ‘no use’.

*****

Lily lay in bed that night unable to sleep. Her mind was struggling to comprehend the horrors Leo and Perla had revealed to her that night. Sitting up, she looked around Leo’s room. Her mind had been a jumbled bomb site when they had first entered and she hadn’t noticed a thing.

His bed was situated just under the window and gave a breathtaking view of Rome’s lighted city. A sudden thought hit her as her eyes glided across the view. She was sixteen. It was now around 3:30 in the morning. She was finally sixteen! She turned to Leo but as she saw him sleeping deeply on the floor, she stopped and smiled softly, let him sleep.

She lay back down and contemplated the conversation that took place in the living room…

“Your father is what we all have to call the curator” Perla had said.

Lily frowned. “Isn’t that ‘Guardian’ in Latin?” She had a certain interest in the ancient language.

Leo nodded. “He is the leader of a sort of gangster organisation.”

“Your father has a lot of blood on his hands.” Perla murmured, her eyes glazing with tears again. “Possibly my husband’s as well.”

Leo’s voice was shaking, “My Dad hated your father and the organisation. The moment he voiced his opinions…he disappeared.”

Lily was rendered speechless, unable to understand the monster her father appeared to be, “What about my…my Mum?” She whispered fearfully.

Perla smiled, “Your mother is my best friend.” Her smile faltered slightly. “Though, I haven’t seen her since you were adopted. Your mother is an amazing woman –“

“An amazing woman who didn’t want me” Lily hissed eyes narrowed.

Perla winced. “Lily, you’re the daughter of the curator.”

“The evening of your sixteenth birthday, you have to become a member.” Leo intervened, “You’re expected to do your Dad’s dirty work and –“

Perla cut across Leo poitedly, “Your mother wanted to protect you from that. It took all her strength to let you go. I was with her when she decided on adoption; it killed her, Lily.”

Lily was thirsty for more information, but Perla had noticed the time and sent them to bed. She had insisted Lily stay with her and Leo; the latter had then taken her to his room. Lily had offered to sleep on the floor but he dismissed the idea completely and offered her his bed.

Lily now lay down again and managed to drift into an uneasy sleep filled with misted dreams of faceless gangster leaders and a beautiful young woman looking the replica of Lily herself…

Outside the window a tall figure looked up at the window to Leo’s bedroom. The figure glanced around...Lily must not leave that house…