Kyra Daniels was born March 9th, 1983. Her birth caused a commotion in the delivery room of Faulhurst Hospital. When pulled from her mother’s womb, the doctor took one look at that baby’s eyes and a look of wonderment passed over his face. The way people look at exotic animals at the zoo. The way a person looks at something they can’t have.

Her eyes were like purple flame. A soft violet really. They were ringed in black and saw into the depths of your soul.

“A physical malady perhaps?”

“Something must be wrong with her brain!”

“The devil controls her soul! She must be saved!”

Everyone had their theories. The weird thing was that none of them were right. Not a single one.

-()-()-()-

Kyra sat in the kitchen reluctantly wrapping dishes and packing them into a box. The sun was going down, throwing strange shadows around the half-packed kitchen. Kyra sighed and put down the bright blue plate she was wrapping.

“Why do we have to move mom? I really like it here.”

“Come on Kyra, you know as well as I do that we can’t afford to live here anymore. I don’t want to leave either, but that is just the way things worked out,” replied her mother, before turning back to her never ending to do list.

That was her answer to all of life’s little troubles. “That’s just the way things worked out.” When she was left all alone by the man she loved with a baby still in diapers, which phrase do you think she whipped out of her back pocket? Or what about the time she had to go on welfare? Or all the other times they had to move to escape the creditors? But no matter. She was a strong woman and knew she would get through it. Had to get through it. For Kyra.

Kyra knew why they had to move, but she had just started to make friends. Ones that weren’t totally freaked out by her eyes.

“Okay mom. I’ll help you pack later.”

Agreeing with an argumental parental unit was and still is the best way to get them to leave you alone. With that Kyra left her house and headed for the woods.

The woods were her safe place. A place where she could hide. There was always a longing within her soul for the outdoors. As she walked along the beaten path, she began to feel calm and the weight that constantly pressed at her shoulders began to path soon began to disapear. With a grin, she made her way deeper into the dense forest, already gloomy in the fading light.

Coming to a stream, she picked her way across to the island in the middle. The blouders gave root to an old oak tree. She often loved to rest in its branches. Deciding on the rock ledge blow, she relaxed with her back against the tree.

Before she was able to get settled properly, a fimiliar disturbance rang throught the air.

Time and space began to rip apart and a boy who looked to be seventeen stepped through. Coughing and dusting off what looked like faery dust, he gazed upon Kyra was his deep blue eyes.

“Hello Opi," said Kyra, trying not to laugh. She could tell he was trying to beat her here to scare her.

“Hey. No fair! You're early.”

“Well I can't help it if you can't conjure a portal fast enough."

“You’re no fun.”

He plunked down on the ground next to her and turned to look into her eyes. He loved those eyes. He would give anything for her. Just to have her look at him with those eyes as something more then a friend. She looked back at him and he felt that familiar sensation go through his body. Lust. He had to suppress a shiver.

“Hey what’s the matter?” he asked. Kyra knew she must have looked upset, for he had crinkled his forehead. He only did that when he was worried.

After removing a stray hair from his shirt she replied, “We have to move again. We’re not really sure where yet, only that it’s soon.”

“Maybe it can be near the ocean. Or a big city! I’ve always wanted to see a big city!”

She had to suppress a laugh. Even at seventeen, whenever he became excited, he would look almost like a little kid.

“You know that whenever we move we run the risk of exposure. What if there are any witch hunters where we move? We’ve been lucky so far, but what if we’re not this time? What if my mom finds out? You know how she feels about magic and powers and…”

“Wow. Hold on. Don’t get hysterical here.” He wished she didn't worry so much. That was his job.

She playfully pushed his shoulder then rested her head on it. He wrapped his arm around her (lust) and tried to think of something to soothe her fears. He hated to see her upset. He knew what would cheer her up. She always loved to hear the story of how they met.

“Remember when we met?”

“Yep. It was raining…..” Her voice trailed off ashe repressed a yawn.

“You thought I was a figment of your imagination.”

“I thought you were a dream. I mean, wouldn’t you if you saw a ten year old boy come through a rip in the world?”

“Good point. But I was such a cute little boy.” Opi smiled at the memory.

“What happened?”

“Very funny. I enjoy being your Guardian even though I do get constantly harassed... No more interrupting. I need to finish my story.”

She mumbled her positive reply as she snuggled up to him. She was tired and it was getting cold.

“Oh God help me,” Opi whispered as she snuggled up closer.

“Anyways,” he continued with a very forced reply, “I had been called to the Hall of Distribution earlier that day and I thought I was going to shit my pants. I was finally going to see if I was worthy enough to be Assigned. After many a diagnostic test, (most were not very comfortable) I was Assigned to your world. I was taken to lines that lead to the portals. I didn’t really even have my powers yet and they were already expecting me to be a Guardian! When I stepped through the portal and saw a little nine year old girl who hadn’t even told her mom about her developing powers and still has yet to, I knew it would be an easy task.” Opi wished that he could tell her the truth, the real reason why he was Assigned, but that was not for her to know.

He paused as he waited for a witty retort, but all he heard was the sound of her breathing. She had fallen asleep. He slowly eased himself into a more comfortable position and slowly drifted of into the world where all of his dreams really did come true.