PROLOGUE

“We can’t give magic to others. It is a powerful weapon that is earned through a blood sacrifice and something held most precious to you.”

That was what everyone said when you were blessed with a gift, but this? This was peace or war. Life or death, so I had to. I had to give them magic, and now, they were unstoppable. We were mere servants, and even though we were the ones who had gifted them, they demanded a price every year from every one of us. Just as soon as me and Salan were blessed with pregnancy, they wanted our firstborn. 

Oh, how I held on to her when she cried, oh how I wanted to tell them they couldn’t have her. But I didn’t out of fear. It was my life taken, or it was both mine and my child’s spared. What choice did I have? None. That was the truth. No choice was given. Everything was taken by brute force and power. The exact opposite we-I had sworn off of. At least my baby girl was put to the very top.

She was meant to serve Ruby’s daughter, who was only a few years older than mine. Perhaps my darling would grow up to be a good kind of person. The kind of whom you looked forward to seeing. Of course, I couldn’t guarantee that. Or could I? I knew that she would be mine no more soon, so I had to give her something. Anything. I looked around my room and saw the necklace. It was a family heirloom passed down through generations. The moon necklace had been a gift from my mother, and she had explained my heritage, so I did the same with paper that I would slip inside the locket.

My sweet, sweet daughter, whatever they might name you, I wish I could’ve done it myself, but alas, I can’t. Please don’t hate me, for I wouldn’t abandon you if I’d had the choice. 

They took you from me, and someday, they’ll take something from you too. Child, this is your only piece of me, your mother. My name is Izala Mary Gabrielle and I wish with all my heart for you to know of me. Your father’s Name is Salan Van Gabriel. This is an heirloom passed down since the beginning of time, and my mother gave it to me. Now, it is yours, and you must protect it from harm. It is the sole source of our magic, and if it was destroyed, I can assure you we would be too. There is one thing you must know before you yourself can do magic. Each child has to perform a ritual with the heirloom given to them by a relative to earn their magic. 

There is a rule, though. We can’t give magic to others. It is a powerful weapon that is earned and not given. Through blood, we must make a great sacrifice to prove our worth. You have to make a blood sacrifice for the greater good of people. That is what everybody is told, and you have to follow that rule unless something of a greater cause forces your hand like it did mine. I should never have given them magic, and I am so, so sorry that it will affect you in terrible ways, but remember me, when you open the moon, you will see your family. I love you, and please, please do your best in life. Treat others with kindness and respect the way you should have been treated yourself. With love,

-Izala

I hoped it would be enough to keep her from making grave mistakes like I did. At least she would have a photo of me, her father, and herself. The one Salan’s sister had taken of the three of us. The only thing I had of my daughter and now, I was giving it up.