As you approach a table, your eyes fall upon a thin book. It appears to be quite new. Its cover could be described as deep red or perhaps even a bright maroon, it's difficult to tell in the firelight. There are no words on the cover, but a closer look reveals tiny marks in the lower right-hand corner which turn out to be letters… perhaps someone's initials.
After carefully opening the cover, you discover the inside page has a picture of a small knife or a dagger on it. Written above the picture is the word "Rache". The word has a German sound to it, but you're not sure what it means. Continuing to turn the pages, you find lists of names, many, many names. As you turn to the last page in the book, you find a short paragraph written in English. It says, "I will not regret what I am about to do. It may seem to go against what I have said or done in the past, but it must be done. Call me mad, but this act is final. Signed…"
The book was never signed…
Collette lives in the beautiful Lorie Valley which is close to Paris, France. The Amarante Estate is at the end of a winding road which gently climbs a small hill to reveal the beautiful white mansion.
As you approach the columned home, you look over endless rolling hills of lush, green meadows and carefully tended gardens. A short distance away is a stable with four horses, 10 Limousin cows, a flock of chickens and a Pointing Griffon dog.
As you pass through the bright white columns on the front of the home, an elegant archway leads to the front entrance. The massive front door opens into a foyer. A beautiful staircase winds up three stories. If you climb to the third floor and wind back through the hallways into the back servant quarters, you will find a simple bookcase against the wall of a back room. Although the bookcase looks plain, it is in fact a hidden entrance into a secret room.
Collette's father found the room when he was a boy. Recently he showed it to Collette and it has remained their secret. It is within this dimly lit and abandoned room that Collette found the book.
Collette
Collette isn't what you would call a typical Victorian-age girl. She dislikes attending the parties her mother forces her to go to. She also hates dressing in the formal dresses she must wear to such gatherings. Collette would much rather being riding her gray-speckled Arabian horse, Amier, across the open meadows of her wealthy family's country estate. Her family has lived in the Loire Valley of France at the rambling estate for centuries. Collette loves the meandering streams, the stately oaks and the lush country meadows of the region. However, since the Loire Valley is only a short distance southwest of the bustling city of Paris, there is always excitement nearby.
Although tomboyish at heart, Collette is a very beautiful girl. Her dark auburn hair shows its deep red highlights when seen in the bright afternoon sunshine and sets off the bright sea-blue eyes that always seem to be searching for something. Collette's fair and rosy skin is the envy of many girls.
Collette has a younger brother, Andre, who is 13 years old. He is a typical younger brother who loves to tease 15 year-old Collette. Their mother lives at the family estate with them, but their father is often called away on business. He most often finds himself in London, due to his successful business being based in England. While in London, Her father stays with Collette's favorite uncle, Uncle Holmes. Collette adores this quirky, yet loving man.
One of Collette's favorite things to do is to sit under the wide spreading branches of the huge old oak tree located in the gardens and lose herself in the pages of a deep, dark mystery.
Ademaro
Ademaro was a very intelligent man that wanted to emigrate from Italy to America. He had dark brown hair and piercing, almost black eyes. Although he wanted his wife and three children to live in a free country; they had very little money. They traveled by foot as far as their money allowed and found themselves penniless in France. They worked as servants to the master and mistress of a large manor home. They were indentured servants; they must serve the manor for seven years before earning their freedom.
Ademaro moved his family into the small servant quarters and worked very hard over the next few years. His hard work paid off, as the master of the manor grew to trust and rely on Ademaro. He appreciated his hard work, honesty and faithfulness. During this time, Ademaro decided to keep a journal of all the events and memories he experienced, so that he could look back over the time spent in France.
Although he was happy, Ademaro wanted to provide his family with a home they could call their own. He purposed to work hard until the indentured time was done.
It was a dark and dreary night. Collette loved it when it rained, but this time it was different. As she listened to the split-splat sound of the rain, she thought of new ideas and thoughts. She dozed on and off; finally, she fell into a deep sleep.
Her dreams wandered through weird and unusual places that night. She found herself in a dream so different from any she had dreamed before. Collette found herself walking through a thick wooded area. She came upon a peddler cart. In it she found a worn and beaten book. She almost didn't realize it was a book, because it was covered in animal skin. She gently picked it up and saw three lions on its cover. They looked angry to her. She peered at them closely, when one suddenly came to life and jumped off the cover with a roar!
She awoke, deathly afraid. She sat up suddenly and looked about her room, but all was quiet. Collette slowly pulled the covers back around her, sank back into her pillows and closed her eyes. However, her mind would not sleep, but tried to figure out what the baffling dream meant.