Prologue
Misty rain fell in thick sheets upon the darkened landscape of London, England. It was an abnormally rainy day for the middle of March; a rain so chilling it soaked to the bone. People with important business were the only ones strolling the soaked streets, briefcases or newspapers held above their heads to ward off the rain. Many often ran into small shops every now and then that were still open to warm up before continuing on their journey. No one ever noticed the cloaked figure continuously walking down the streets, ignoring the chill from the rain and carrying an abnormally large package.
The package contained something precious --- something precious no one else could ever find nor know about. Inside the bundle wrapped tightly to ward off the cold, a soft cry sounded, and a small, chubby hand reached through the layers of grey blanket to grip at the deliverer's drenched cloak. The man softly gripped the tiny hand, and replaced it beneath the blanket before continuing on the way, quickly gazing upon his surroundings to mark out anyone watching too closely. In an attempt to better protect the babe from the cold and curious eyes, he lifted his cloak, and placed the wicker basket close to his chest.
He continued to glide down the streets, moving like a ghost from shadow to shadow, ignored by the pedestrians that passed him. The child concealed within the fabric of his cloak remained quiet, perceiving the intense urge for her to be silent. He had been walking for some time, when the awareness of a looming evil became apparent, and he quickened his pace, knowing he was too close to his goal to be intercepted now. He softly squeezed the basket, hoping to keep the baby calm for his sake and hers. Then he saw it --- the small, tatty building at which his superior had instructed him to take the child.
He set the babe upon the doorstep and removed several layers of suffocating fabric before he placed a letter on top of the warm blankets. Deciding to say a short farewell, he removed the thin fold from her face, knowing it wouldn't be very long before the old maid found her. When he stared upon her small, plump face he realized she looked just like her mother, except she had her father's eyes --- her left a curious jade, her right a mysterious purple, symbolizing her as one of his kind. A small tuft of hazelnut hair clung to her head, and a gummy smile appeared on her face as she looked up at him. Chubby fingers grabbed at a large portion of the blanket and gripped it tightly as she slowly looked around, taking in her new surroundings with large, bright eyes.
After bidding her a quiet farewell, he quickly stepped down onto the sidewalk only to feel his windpipe close, and his body rise a few feet off the ground. As he dangled in the air, he tore at the invisible fingers around his neck that were cutting off his air supply, slowly choking him to death. His feet kicked harshly at the air in front of him, however only cutting through clear air. After a few violent jerks of his body, the hood of his cloak fell, and soon darkness slowly invaded his vision. He had sworn his allegiance, had known the cost, and was willing to die for the child, for she was the key. When he felt his limbs growing cold, and the shocking eruption of his heart desperately trying to pump blood depleted of oxygen, he looked down at the small bundle upon the doorstep and smiled, knowing he was going to die.
Suddenly, a large pulse threw him across the street, causing him to roll to a stop next to the curb. The babe let out a loud cry and tears sparkled in her eyes as she kicked harshly at the blankets. The man gasped for air and held his sore throat, but gazed across the street at the small basket with amazement. She had saved his life, for it was not his magic that had thrown off his attacker, but her own. He ducked behind some twiggy bushes as he saw the paint-chipped door open, and a plump woman walk through the doorway, gazing upon the babe with lit eyes. She looked up and down the street curiously, and then reached down to pick up the letter. As she read further down her eyes grew large, then she tucked the letter under her arm, cautiously surveyed her surroundings, and quickly stole the baby away inside. His job was finished --- the baby had been delivered safely.
"Bless you, Sibyl." He spoke softly in a harsh crackle before he stood, raised his hood, and disappeared down the street, never to be remembered by anyone but the small package he had delivered moments before.