Magini

Prologue

"They say the Magini have no soul. That is why their eyes are white," the old man said as he thought back to a memory. The boy could tell his father wasn't really staring into the fire, but that he was elsewhere. Nonetheless, his papa continued to speak. "There is nothing in their eyes to reflect the person that is inside or to recognize another's soul, nor are they made the way we are made."

"Then how are they made, Papa?" Elijah asked, curious to learn more about Magini as he looked up from the floor at his papa.

The old man stopped gazing into the fire in the hearth, the flames were dancing along the logs, twirling hues of blues, reds, and purples with a hint of green to the trained eye. It was not a natural fire, but one made from a Magini. His eyes wandered over to the girl who stood along the wall, doing her best to make it seem as if she wasn't there.

"They aren't made, the Magini just are," his papa spoke, answering his question. "They are part of this planet, as if the planet gave birth to them. That is why you must treat them very carefully." He turned his gaze back to the fire. "They're a gift, Elijah, never forget."

Elijah turned his attention from the fire to the girl. "Is she going to be my Magini, Papa?" He was very eager to have one of his own.

"That's a story for another time, Elijah," he answered. He was tired and the boy wasn't old enough to really understand. "It's late, we should go to bed." He got up to from his chair and went to his room.

Elijah stayed behind to watch the girl. She didn't move at all, and he couldn't tell if she was looking at him or not, though he didn't find it at all scary. He had grown up with Magini, seen them in people's homes. Some were young and some were old. However, he'd never seen one talk. They just stood there, silently, waiting for a command by the person who they belong to.

"Hello," Elijah said after a while.

There was no response, but the fire stayed lit all night. There was no need to add wood to it, as the Magini kept it going. He eventually dozed off on the rug and wasn't sure if it was a dream or not, but thought he heard a soft hi spoken.