A disclaimer: Kim Harrison owns the series the hollows and its characters. I'm just using some of them to tell my version of the story.
After finishing reading pale demon I got so pissed off that I decided that I wanted to make my own story.

NOTES: I'VE STARTED THIS STORY FROM SCRATCH SO I CAN'T PLACE IT BEFORE OR AFTER ANY OF THE BOOKS.
I SERIOUSLY HOPE YOU ENJOY IT. I KEPT SOME THINGS CHANGED ANOTHER LIKE: NO ROSEWOOD SYNDROME FOR RACHEL. SHE'S NOT WITH THE I.S AND OTHER STUFF.
I WOULD LIKE THO THANK AGMARTIN40 FOR THE HELP, GRAMMAR AND STUFF SO THANK YOU I APPRECIATE IT!

ENJOY

Prologue

After graduating from College, where I got a degree on Defense Against Black Arts, I can't say my life have been boring, cause I would be lying If I did, magic always came easy to me , its knowledge or its practice. I was 22 at the time and I had been on my own almost a year. As much of my mother's disapproval of my choice of a job I'd like to think I made a name for myself, I've been working as a Private Eye for a few months now and taken where i was needed.. Hunting black witches is my specialty. Can't say that Cincinnati is an unsafe city but I'd like to believe I contributed to its security. One way or the other...

My last job did cause a bit of a stir it's not every day that you save a bunch of weres from a serial killer. The bastard was kidnapping Weres and using samples of their bone marrow to upgrade his not so Inderlander features. Yes he was human. The thing is I had a hard time understanding how a simple human could kidnap a were, sedate him and getting out of it without a scratch or bite. I told the I.S this case had more to it than this but they didn't care. I wasn't a member of it so… The case was filed and then closed.. I guess the fact that the weres kidnapped were loners didn't help one bit. Actually I only save one the other was already dead.
I guess that would be the reason behind my encounter with a Magister (mage) shortly after. It's funny actually I was in a middle of a chase, on the middle of the night , some asshole thought it would be funny to mug me at the bus stop I chased him to an alley where he was nowhere to be found, when someone popped out of nowhere and told me my life would change. I thought he was crazy when all of the sudden he waved his hand and time stopped… it literally stopped all around us. I was on my guard, who knows what else he can do, I had my share of dangerous encounters so far but I didn't sense any kind of threat coming from him… well the usual type when some were growls at you or a vamp flashes they're fangs.

"Good evening Rachel Morgan, I have a proposition that if you accept will change your life forever. There's no need to be afraid Rachel, you can trust me!" He reassured me with such confidence.

The fact that he was wearing a full hooded robe that covered all his face didn't help. The only thing I could see plainly was the moon shaped pendant he had on his neck.

My birthmark looks exactly like it but I was not going to tell him that.

"Sure I can… I have the habit of following hooded figures everywhere especially dark alleys in the middle of the night! Maybe that work on the stone age but here when some hooded guy pops out of nowhere we bitch slap first ask questions later"

The sarcasm in my voice made its effect cause right after I said that he revealed himself and I almost fell on my ass when I got a good look on his face.

"You're … you're an… ELF?" The sudden shock in my voice must have amused him cause he could not help a smile, a charming smile I might add he was quite attractive long silver hair with blue eyes, sparkly blue eyes, tall, wearing a lavender mage robe, six feet to be exact, slender, graceful and yet he looked strong and powerful.

"Yes I usually have that effect on people on this side…"

This side? What is he talking about?

"Excuse me? Ok you know my name and yet you haven't told me who you are and why you're here..? Aren't you Elves supposed to be extinguished?"

"To answer one of your questions NO. We did not wish for an open war against the other species so we decided that seclusion were the best option, many of us died in The Thousand Year War I lost a lot of friends there, family, someone I loved very dearly."

Such sorrow… I felt the same way when I lost Nick . I'll never forget that night.

"And the other one … I told you I'm here to give you the opportunity to change your life. You want more yes? More knowledge? Power?"

The way he spelled power it sounded … why do I get the feeling I'm being tested?

"What's the catch? No one gives anything for free! Especially power! Don't get me wrong I like what you're saying but I don't like the way it sounds!"

" Very good Rachel you learned the very basic rule of magic. Now you have the wisdom to go to the next level never forget that rule it's the main pillar of all magic. You certainly have the potential to be much more than a simple witch we have been watching you for some time but I must warn you this knowledge comes with a price."

All magic comes with a price it was the main lesson to every practitioner of the craft a lesson if not learned could cost you your life.

"Oh please forgive me my name Hellios I'm a Magister"

He said with a smug on his face apparently he was quite proud of it I guess internet and tv isn't allowed there …. man this is gonna be great I can tell. I could not believe what I was listening Magisters were an ancient peacekeeping order unified by its uses of magic although they'd prefer not to interfere in politics of the actual world they always remained vigilant.

_Magic And Its Myths; VOLUME I. BY ANNONIMOUS.

" Dude, you maybe an elf and shit but you seriously think I'm gonna go with you anywhere just because you say you're a mage? C'mon man don't insult me ever since I graduated and made my life here in Cincinnati I grew my share of enemies it's not easy being me you know?" I said with a grin but it didn't seem to shock him instead he smiled at me ….again.

"I know Rachel like I said we've been watching you only the ones we find worthy may enter our order and learn from us so they can carry the knowledge I was suppose to have this conversation with you a few years back but some of us wanted you to mature and see what happened next my apologies" he said with a small nod

" Ok let's say I'm interested what's this cost you mentioned, a blood sacrifice? I have to give you my first born? What?" He chuckled.

" Nothing like that just patience and hard work we just want you to be prepared for what's coming that's all"

The effect of the spell was wearing off apparently I felt reality shake for a sec I had to decide quickly if I wanted my life to change or keep my not so boring one that I already had. Fuck it. Why the hell not.

"What's coming? What are you talking about?" Could he not get more cryptic? Damn but I did sense urgency in his tone

" Please Rachel I need you to trust me we are wasting time"

" I can't just leave i have responsibilities here!" I spat not liking the fact that I was being pushed.

"I understand Rachel." he sighed "I'll give you until the next half moon to decide but know this no one in centuries had been invited to join the order THIS IS A PREVILAGE YOU SHOULD TAKE"

"WAIT! THAT'S TOMORROW NIGHT!" I hurried concerned

But it was pointless, with that he vanished, so did the spell he used. I turned around to find my purse on the floor with a note.

" Don't think too much and don't mention this to anyone " signed with smiley face written with my BRAND NEW LIPSTICK! I was fuming!

He's going to pay for that! Elf or not it's going to cost him.

I returned to my apartment on foot, my car was in the shop, it was only 10 blocks away, the next bus was going to take another hour to get here so I decided to walk. It's not like I was going to get robbed twice in one night right? Right?

NOON

I woke up at the sound of my annoying alarm clock. It was a beautiful day outside I managed to look outside the window, a bit windy but beautiful nonetheless.

Decisions! Decisions! Today was the big day!

After getting myself ready, I decided that I was going to spend the rest of the day at the College Library, maybe I'd find something else about these Magisters, of course I'd need access to the not so public area of the library which I didn't have, I better call Marshall then. Marshall was the head researcher for the College Library.

I'd often go to him for help, the fact that he was a witch was a plus, he understood my work. He used to work for the Minister of Magic, before we've met, at the end of my third year if I'm not mistaken, we clicked, we both had just survived a bad relationship. He never told me the reason he quit the Minister job, he kept saying he would tell me but the day never came, I stopped asking, eventually.

Why don't I just call him? That would be easier, suddenly my doorbell rings. I went to the door. Beater not be another neighbor asking about his or her cat. It was Marshall I managed to recognize through the orifice. I opened the door.

" I came bearing gifts! Donuts and coffee! All a witch needs to start the day" he said with a huge smile on his face. I chuckled I couldn't help it. He always knew how to make me smile.

"Now that you paid tribute to the witch you may enter!" I answered ironically

He came forward and kissed me on the cheek, we were close like that. We headed to the kitchen it was just past the living room, small but comfortable. I had my books scatter around the kitchen-counter.

" Busy? I can come back later with lunch?" He chuckled placing the offerings on the counter, and looking back at me with a curious smile. He had a beautiful smile, wide shoulders, strong arms , athletic figure, DAMN HE SURE CAN WEAR THOSE JEANS. Focus Rachel! Stop drooling! Have some pride.

"Actually I was going to call you about something." I said taking a bite at the donut. Mhmm jelly donut.

"Oh?" Was his response.

"What do you know about Magisters?" I asked with a mouthful. He raised an eyebrow as he didn't expect that question.

"Well… what everybody knows really. They're an ancient order of mages, a powerful ancient order of mages that vanished since the Thousand Year War. There's very little knowledge about it. Many of the tomes were lost or burned. And only the ones they'd find worthy would be a part of it. A great honor if you ask me. Why do you ask?" There was a curious grin on his face.

"Just curious. No reason really! "Damn! I already knew that and I could not forget about the note. I couldn't talk about it. Tonight I was going to have my answers one way or the other. Marshall was not convinced but he didn't press the topic.

"Sometimes I think you're just using me for my brains" He answered ironically, I huffed smirking.

"And your food, don't forget the best part!" I winked teasing him, he hissed pretending to be offended. He stared at me with a concerned look on his face.

"You're not in trouble are you?" Her approached me whipping the sugar of the corner of my mouth.

"NO! NO! Nothing like that! One more thing, donut man, I'll be out of the city for some time. So if I don't call or invite you for breakfast, don't worry. I'll be out on a job."

"Ok I'll try not to freak out. Crap! Rachel, I can't stay for long I have an appointment in 10 minutes! Sorry I have to go! Talk to you later" He hastened himself out kissing me on the forehead.

Midnight came and so did Helios, he made himself appear in the middle of my kitchen. Same garb same attitude.

"Have you contemplated my proposal?" Such poise.

"I have. I've decided that I'll accept your proposal!" I answered confidently and he extended his hand. As I walked towards him he took both my hands and looked me in the eye and said.

"Don't worry Rachel everything will be taken care of."

And with that we vanished.

Every man has his own destiny; the only imperative is to follow it, to accept it, no matter where it leads him...

Henry Miller

PUFF, let me know what you think about this story. Reviews make write faster so review away, constructive criticism is welcome the other one will be delete on sight unless it helps. Some people may think this story isn't worth it but i suggest reading until the last chapter i've posted than decide if you want to keep reading or not, the first chapter tend to be...less worthy than the next ones soooo give it a go...

PEACE