Valerie pov.
At breakfast, I sat across from Artemis and beside my father. My new step mother, the queen laid her icy gaze upon Artemis. I cleared my throat. "Pardon me, Mother. But Artemis is my sister. Please treat her as you would treat me" I say softly. She turns her gaze upon me. An ice cold glare burning into my eyes. I don't flinch away as most would. "Daughter. You are asking me to treat the twerp beside me like my daughter?" She asks coldly. I contiue to look her in the eye. "Yes, Mother. I am" I confirm. She stares at me angrily. "How dare you!" She snarls. I feel anger swell, but I keep it at bay. "Wife. Calm yourself. Her request is quite honourable. I agree with her. Do treat both of my daughters the same. By that I mean treat them as you would treat Valerie" father says strongly. She turns and looks at him. Eyes like hardened blue crystals. "As you wish it, Husband" she replies, looking back to me with gentler eyes and matching the look to Artemis. I nod and sigh in relief.

After breakfast I head towards my room alone. I needed to think, so I left Artemis, Father and Mother alone. Hoping the three of them bond. As I was walking, I suddenly had a strange feeling. It was eerily quiet and there were no guards. Rounding a corner I saw them lying on the ground in pools of blood. My hand flew to my mouth and I started backing away, but I collide with a soft solid thing behind me. Stepping forward and turning around quickly I see violet eyes and a cruel grin. Turning to run, I let out a scream, hoping someone will hear, but before I can go anywhere i'm grabbed from behind and a point is touched on my neck. My head feels light and my vision blurs, but before I black out I see Artemis reach for me, but I pass out just as the person holding me escapes and I am no longer within the reach of my family.