"You must kill her before she is grown or she will be the end of us all!!!" Shouts my master as he flings yet another table across the room. I keep my head bowed in its respectful position, not speaking a word.
"Do it before the night is out."
With a nod of my head, I look at the file placed in front of me and quickly memorize the necessary information.
"You must not fail." Emphasizes my master, plunking his fist on the table.
Before he can say anything else, I summon the power within me and vanish.
Within seconds, the shadow falls away from me and I am in a dark bedroom. From the looks of it, the walls are painted pink and flowers decorate everything. A crib lies in the corner; no doubt the girl is there.
Silently, so as not to attract attention from her parents, I step closer. With one swift movement my bow and arrow are poised. I aim the black tip of death at the sleeping child. I tense as the baby yawns and stretches... The last thing I need was for her to wake up.
Suddenly, a pair of bright green eyes meet my own, trapping me in place. Never in all of my 300 years had I experienced something even close to similar. Tiny hands reach out to me and I am greeted with a toothless smile. No one smiles at death, so why did this mere infant grace me with such a happy gesture?
With a puff of dark blue smoke, my weapons disappear. Just as I reach out for the babe, the door slams open. A tall silhouette stands in the doorway ready to attack. A smaller figure places a hand on the first's shoulder.
"Ashton, what is wrong?" Asks a soft voice.
"We have an intruder." Comes the cold reply. There is a gasp, and the lights are flicked on. I set the girl down in the crib before turning to face the two. With a whirl of my hand and more blue smoke, a knife appears in my palm.
The man, Ashton was his name, snarls.
"Step away from my daughter." He threatens. A dark chuckle escapes me.
"Do you know who I am?" I ask from underneath my hood.
"Everyone recognizes Death when they see him." He growls. I chuckle again.
"Yet you still challenge me?" I probe.
"I protect my family." He states, not relaxing from his attack position.
My hand falls from the crib and I step foreword to disgrace my challenger when a cry rings through the air. A cry that has my heart clenching. I spin back to the crib and begin to sooth the child before I even realize what I am doing. Once I notice what I've done, I stand up straight.
"What kind of magic is this?" I spit, referring to whatever weakness has overcome me. "What sort of protection spell have you placed on the child?!" I demand. The man does not move.
"Speak to me, Ashton of the Shadow!" I order. Once again I am met with no reply.
"No spell was placed on my daughter." Speaks the soft voice as a small woman begins to approach me.
"Rose-" begins Ashton before she cuts him off.
"We knew this day would come. Now it is our decision. He is obviously our daughter's mate, and wouldn't it be of help to have Death on our side." She speaks sternly. I am confused at her words.
"He cannot be her mate! She isn't even one year old!" Denies Ashton. The woman ignores his outburst and begins to approach me. My grip tightens on my knife and I bring it up to defend myself.
"I'm not going to hurt you." She coaxes softly, pushing my blade down. My eyes close tightly and I flinch as she pulls off my hood, my cloak disappearing into deep blue dust. I hear the woman gasp and I drop my knife, no clatter sounds as it dissolves back into my blue magic.
"You are so young." Breaths the woman as she takes in my true appearance.
"Death is immortal." I reply coldly.
"What is your name?" She requests.
"It is a dangerous thing to share your true name freely." I quip.
"Surely you have a name other than Death?"
"Aye. But it has not been spoken for over a hundred years." I snarl. She sighs in defeat.
"I am going to try something, but if you hurt my daughter I will kill you, no matter if you are Death himself." Threatens the woman. I nod as I watch her curiously. Bending down, she takes the baby in her arms and gently offers her to me.
As I hold the child, Ashton's growl menacingly fills the room.
"Stop." Commands the woman, throwing a glare at him.
I look down and am once more ensnared by the vibrant green eyes of the girl in my arms.
"See, I told you." Teases the woman.
"What is this magic?" I breath.
"She is your chosen one." Informs the woman.
"Impossible." I sigh. The baby bats her eyelashes and a yawn curls her lips into a perfect 'O' shape. I vaguely hear the woman and man talking to each other as I continue to admire the now sleeping infant.
"Dryden." I mumble.
"What?" Questions the woman after a pause.
"My name is Dryden."
* * * * * * *
That was the prologue, readers!
I wasn't long, but hey! It's the prologue!!!
I don't know about you but I am excited for this book!!!!!! Like, beyond excited!
I hope you guys enjoyed it!
I love ya and wish you all noodle covered tennis balls!!!!!
-Arielle-
