Prologue

A beautiful face stared back from the mirror of the transparent water.

Yes, she knew she was beautiful. That she knew. And she knew many other things, among that.

Standing, a curtain of midnight black cascading with her movement, she raised her sight to the full moon casting light upon the night sky. The sky was dark, like her hair, disguising it, and only her pointed face illuminated like a ghost. All traces of youth about her features-her tall nose, her sculptural cheekbones, her full lips-were replaced by untimely maturity. Young as she was, she was not unworldly, and it reflected in her eyes that now looked out into the distance. Startling, blue eyes as dark as her head gazed contemplatively. She posed a question for herself, a question that always lingered in her head: When would be the day that she would not be alone? Her feet moved lightly for her toes to just touch the edge of the cool lake, tiny ripples sprouting beneath them. Fresh water was always comforting, as were the animals and the plentiful nature around her. But she would not be alone for long. She had a sense that evening, a sense that her isolation would soon come to an end. It was coming, the day when she would be useful, and her duties could be fulfilled. Finally. It had been three years. One more night, I could wait, she supposed. She had waited for years. She could wait another night.

Sleep was sweet, and morning came quick and early.