Part 1 - Giving up hope

He watched her as she zipped her boots, unaware of his presence. Her long, dark hair falling on her shoulders, her chin held up with proud, defying the forces of nature that had brought them to this. He couldn't feel things like she could, it wasn't his gift, but he had known her all his life and he knew she was scared. Just looking at her, her small and slow actions, he could tell what she was feeling. Without turning her head she asked in a tired voice.

"Are you going to stand there all day staring at me?"

"I came to see if you're ready."

"Can anyone be ready for this?" She asked again, putting on her dark coat.

He looked at her stunned by her beauty. How many times he forgot who she really was, how proud of who she was she could be. He was so used to have her as a mate, a companion in arms, one of the best vampire killers he ever met, that he forgot what she really was. A witch. Not a common one. One of the last of her kind. One of the last of pure old blood. Elders blood.

"Can't it be done in another way?"

"The Elders' Council decided for it. It's not our job to question them. We just follow their orders."

"But..."

"Sometimes you make me forget you have half witch blood, slayer. You know pretty well we can't defy the Council." Her eyes were cold, not giving a hint of the pain she was feeling.

"I know how hard this is on you, and I'm not planning on going against them. I'm just wondering if that's the best solution."

"What else can we do? Since the child was born we have been hunted like we haven't been in ages. The One knows the child was born around here and every coven has to hide their children at night, so many have died since then...You know that, we're both on the fighting lines here."

"And letting the child be raised by some commons will be enough to protect it? Do you believe that?"

"It's a desperate measure. Not only to protect the child, but our covens, our children."

"The commons won't be able to keep the child safe."

She didn't answer. It wasn't her job telling him who would have the mission to keep the child safe. Or as safe as it could be among those commons. They went to their destination in silence, both trying to prepare for the mission they have been assigned. He never liked the silence. He was a man of actions, of words. He touched the silver medallion she was wearing.

"You almost never use this. Makes this all look so formal and official." He whispered.

"Maybe because it is formal and official." Her face showed a sad smile. His finger traced her lines when they reached the closed door. A tall man waited for them.

"Are you children ready for this?" His voice was calm and deep.

The both young knights straightened their shoulders, chins up, answering in unison.

"Yes, Sire."

He opened the door, revealing a mother lulling an infant. The young man came in first, but the older stopped the woman.

"Daughter, are you sure?"

"Yes, father, I'm sure."

The Elder's face shone with pride. She was too young, but she had such strength. She would be great when time come. If they still have time till then.

"Ma'am, it's time." Her voice was clear, but still held some softness.

The young mother looked at them with despair. She knew about the decision. She thought about defying the Council, turning into a warlock, a traitor, they could not take away her child like that.

"Don't talk to me like you haven't known me all our lives." Her blue eyes were full of tears. "Let me hold my baby just a little more."

"It will get dark soon. We have to take the child before sunset comes."

"Maybe we're wrong....maybe this is not the promised child."

"A child born exactly at Samhain, the first one with a lunar eclipse at midnight in three hundred years?"

The blonde woman dropped her head defeated. She knew she gave birth to their only hope. She knew she had to give her baby away for its own safety.

"Can I just make something to protect him?" Her voice a last plea.

"We can do that." The brunette agreed with a smile, taking off her medallion. "You can use it."

The blonde handed the child to the young man, the silver medallion in her hands. She took the brunette's hands in her, both women in a circle, speaking together.

Earth, Air, Fire and Water

Hear our pleading cry

May this hold our strength

Through the years of wait and pain

Keep our hope safe

Until darkness is gone

The young slayer watched in awe, both witches seemed to emanate a different light. The brunette took her sword, making a small cut in her hand, making the same to the blonde.

Blood drowned by love

Against the evil of blood

As long as we live

The brunette took the medallion, placing it over the child. She turned back to the desperate mother, before leaving the room.

"We'll take care of your child, sister."

They had been waiting for hours, hiding in the darkness, ears paying attention to every sound around them. They drove all night to a small coastal town, chosen to be home to the child. It was not safe to wait outside with an infant in a cold January night, but they had to wait till dawn.

"It's freezing here." He stated for the hundredth time.

"Shut up" She rolled her eyes. "It's almost time."

"Why did they decide for this forgotten place?"

"Stop whining. You're starting to sound like a little girl."

"What do they know about this family?"

"I don't know. I just know it's the Council decision to leave the baby with them"

"Stop talking like that, please?"

She noticed a movement inside the house. She got up, leaving the basket at the front door, trying to ignore her instincts that maybe her annoying companion was right, this wasn't the best family. She hurried back to the bushes, just in time to see a tall man opening the door, staring at the basket in surprise, and then going back inside with the baby. She leaned against him searching for comfort, and he held her in his arms, trying to make her feel better. She held up her face, fighting back her tears.

"Can we just go home, now?"

He nodded, giving her a chaste kiss on her forehead. She glanced the house once more through the snow that was starting to fall, whispering.

"We'll see you around, kid."