Prologue

Malcom perched on the bench in front of the window peering out into the mist. He could not see anyone but he could sense someone out there. All of a sudden, there was a loud bang, like the sound of a bomb exploding. Malcom flapped into the air with fright and he flew over to perch on his master’s shoulder. “ Is it them? “ he squawked in his ear. His master nodded. “ They’re here because… “ he started to say but he was cut off when the door burst open and three men with revolvers ran into the room. “ Fly, Malcom ,fly! “ his master cried. Malcom was reluctant to leave but  when his master shouted again, he flew off, his mechanical wings flapping as hard as they could!

Chapter 1

Olivia Taylor crept through the corridor on tiptoe. She suddenly heard footsteps coming towards her. She slipped into the nearest room and held her breath as the footsteps past her and went on down the corridor. Then she crept out the room and ran down the corridor and out of the building. Olivia carried on running until she reached the village where she stopped to take a breath. She had escaped from Mrs Tweed’s Academy for Refined Young Ladies or as Olivia liked to call it The Prison! She pulled a crumpled piece of paper from her pocket. It was covered in tear stains as she cried every time she read it. It was short but it meant everything to her. It said:

My dear Olivia, I hope I will return from this mission

but if I do not Malcom is yours forever.

Yours Lovingly
Your FatherXxx

Olivia’s eyes started to fill with water. She knew that her father would not return from this journey and she would never see him again. Suddenly, she heard the sound of mechanical wings. She looked up and saw Malcom flying towards her. “ Malcom “ she cried as the raven landed on her shoulder. “Come on!” he cried. “ We need to find the coin!”
“Why?” said Olivia, puzzled. “It’s father’s and he took it with him!”
“He didn’t and people are after it!” squawked Malcom and he flew off. “Come on!” Olivia shrugged and ran after him, wondering who or what was after her father’s ivory coin.