Prologue

The market was bustling with more life than usual. Tonight was the winter solstice along with a full moon. Excitement hung thick in the air as people of all ages were buying charms and last minute gifts as well as seasonal spices. Children ran shrieking and giggling between elders, slipping through the bustling crowds with ease. The heady smells of cinnamon, clove, and pine mingled with the the hot steam of apple cider and thick seasoned ale. You could hear merchants above the noise trying to entice passerby's with their wares. Street performers could be seen in their vibrant clothes with bells jingling juggling leather balls as others of their craft passed out flyers with pictures for a full show later that evening in the main square. Menstrals played their music adding to the overal joy of the season. For a country that was close to a being up in arms in war and reforming to including Dark Bloods, their was an air of peace for the first time in several weeks. Mortals were such fickle creatures.

As I was buying a small trinket for Sasha, a commotion broke out a street over. I quickly gave the merchant a few silver nobles before rushing over to see what had the Guardian's in such an uproar.

"Find her!" called one. "Find that blasted ice demon at once!"

Ice demon? What was one doing so far from home especially with us being on the brink of war?

The comotion brought a grinding halt all at once to the festive mood. The music stopped. The air of peace was now replaced with tension and confusion as everyone tensed. I pushed and slid through the crowd with some trouble trying to sense her. With so many Dark Bloods in close proximitey, it muddled my ability ability a little as I mentally cursed my luck. I could tell I was drawing attention to myself as I fought through the crowd which wasn't good either.

My interest peaked as I tried to sense her. How had I not felt her? Our kind gave off a stronger aura than the others of our race. Luckily there wasn't any Nephilium in the small band of Guardian's otherwise she would be in trouble- they were able to sense us just like we could sense them.

I finally picked up on a peculiar sense- a strong Dark Blood was near and I was sure it was her. I pushed through the crowd trying to pick up on her and offer aid. I felt her slip into an alley and towards the dark blood district, but so far it was as if she was invisible. There was no one in front of me or even near me for that matter.

"I can help you," I called into nothing. "I'm a djinn."

Out of nowhere she materialized in front of me. She was about the same height as Sasha, perhaps a bit short and looked to be around the same age as me, but age was fickle in our race for we age slower- I wasn't sure if that was still true with her race. Her skin was a light pale blue with hair the color of snow, but her eyes were what mystified me- one had an iris that was silver and the other was a luminescent purple. She was dressed in all black with daggers sheathed all down her left leg and a bow and quiver across her back.

"Follow me quickly," I said.