ONE

The moon lay barely visible in the sky as snow cascaded down towards earth while the wind wailed and cursed everything within its path.

But this was no ordinary winter’s night.

Two figures emerged from the shadows, one cradling a very small bundle. The two figures cautiously crossed Bella Lane and made their way up the path of number 7.

Once under the cover of the front porch, the two figures huddled together removing their hoods as they unfolded the top of the bundle to reveal a beautiful rosy cheeked baby.

“Oh, my beautiful, sweet girl.” The smaller figure said after placing the most gentle of kisses on the baby’s forehead.

The other figure lifted his finger and tenderly placed it in the youngling’s hand, as the baby instinctively gripped tighter.

The two figures knelt down and placed the baby on the door step with a letter.

“Goodbye my beloved jewel.” The man said as he rested his hand on the baby’s forehead causing the young child to drift asleep.

“No wait…please let me.” The smaller figure whispered.

She brushed her nose against the child’s soft check and sang the last lullaby she would ever hear pass from her mother’s lips, as she rocked the baby gently, in her arms, to sleep; The Lullaby of Pure Shadows.

The male figure stood up, pulling his hood back up and placed his hand on the shoulder of the other figure still kneeling once she had finished the lullaby.

“Come Iona we must go.” He said quietly.

Iona sighed sadly, staring longingly at the sleeping baby before her; allowing her eyes to water.

“Oh Troen, I can’t…” Iona Sobbed.

“We must, for her sake, we must.” He whispered soothingly.

“…for her sake.” Iona repeated placing another kiss not on the child’s forehead, but on her LIPS, under the cover of the cloak, while tucking in a pendant the color of the deepest violet to match the color of the inherited eye color all three of them held.

“Goodbye my sweet girl, remember your lullaby Desdemona, grant me one wish and never forget that.” Iona said, then in one swift movement stood up, pushing the doorbell and pulling her hood up to veil her features and walked back into the night.

“For her sake.” Iona whispered.

As they rounded corner they were meet by 5 dark figures dressed in the same ebony cloaks. The 5 dark figures each bowed immediately.

“You have each been chosen especially for your unique talents.” Troen said sternly, “You have been trained to watch over her with your dark senses, not your eyes, touch or smell. So you are not to look at her or talk to her. You are her GUARDIANS nothing more. The shadows are your new companion, embrace it.”

Troen indicated for them to rise.

“It is an honor your Lordship and my Queen to do your will.” The CHIEF GAURDIAN answered.

“May each be with you peace.” Queen Iona whispered, placing a kiss on each of their heads.

BUT to the CHIEF GUARDIAN she did not only give a kiss, but under the cover of the ebony cloak, slipped something most peculiar into his hand.

“You are my only hope, do not fail me.” Queen Iona whispered to the Chief Guardian, so that only he could hear.

“Iona, we must be gone.” King Troen said softly.

Iona looked over her shoulder at what might be the last time she may ever see her daughter again, to see a young couple inspecting the beautiful baby in their arms before taking her inside.

“Goodbye my Love.” Iona whispered so that only the winds could hear before turning around and taking Troen’s outstretched hand and leaving the 5 Guardians in the winter’s night…

BUT the Chief Guardian stood unmoved as the other Guardians faded into the night and opened his hand to reveal her Majesty’s own violet PENDANT, still warm from hanging from her neck only seconds ago. The chief Guardian gasped, this was unheard of, that a Queen would part with there own pendant…

“You are my only hope…” Queen Iona’s voice whispered through his mind again.

The Chief Guardian looked head on at number 7 on Bella Lane, tightening his grip on the pendant.

“I will not fail you Desdemona.” The Chief Guardian vowed before joining the other guardians in the night.

…………..

17 years after that one night…

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(Mwhahah you’ll have to read chapter two for that! Hah!)