Prologue X

"Prophecy is what we all have to go by now,"

—Prince

Mallory groaned as she sat outside of the office. She had been waiting for ages. The verdict should be arriving soon, but as of now, nothing.

As she sat there, she heard soft footsteps. She looked up. Standing there was that same young boy she had seen earlier. His blue eyes were trained on her, never wavering. "Do you need something, Sweet Heart?" She questioned, sitting straighter in her chair.

"What are you waiting for?" He whispered, inching closer to her.

"The higher ups said they have an important message. I have to receive and deliver it." Mallory didn't understand why they chose her of all people, but Thaddeus told her it would was not in her place to question their decisions.

Everyone hated her. Everyone but a select few. It didn't make sense. Why me?

"What's your name?" Mallory asked, looking at the boy.

The boy flushed, looking away. "Caleb."

"Well, hello there, Caleb. Why are you here?"

"They let me out early from my classes. I wanted to explore." He answered, looking down at his chubby hands.

He was an adorable kid, couldn't have been more than seven or eight. Mallory smiled sweetly. "What are they teaching you?"

"How to fight, how to talk to diplomats, and how to most effectively kill." Caleb answered, numbering each one off with his fingers.

Mallory blanched. "They're teaching you how to kill?"

Caleb nodded. "It's okay though. I am supposed to be really powerful, so they need me."

"How powerful?"

"My mommy is a fallen angel. That's what they told me. They said that I could have a lot of power because I'm a direct descendent."

Mallory couldn't help the smile that spread on her face. He's just like me. "My father was an angel too."

Caleb grinned. "Really? That's so cool! Can I meet him?"

Her smile faltered. "Oh, um—"

"Mal,"

She looked over to see Thaddeus standing there. He wore a loose white button down, with the cuffs rolled up halfway. His hair was damp and it was obvious he had just showered. Mallory smiled at him, trying to keep her blush at bay. "Thad,"

He nodded, and then gestures for her to come to him. Mallory obeyed, walking away from Caleb. "Yes?"

"Who's that?"

"His name's Caleb. He is a recruit."

Thaddeus frowned. "Really?"

Mallory nodded, looking at him. "He's just like me too, his mom's a fallen angel."

The man in corny of her nodded. He crossed his arms and then looked at her, his dark eyes mesmerizing her. "Anything yet?"

"No," she blushed, "not yet. They haven't come out and said anything. It's kind of boring sitting here by myself."

"Where's Dagger? He was supposed to be with you as well."

"So were you." Mallory retorted, jabbing him in the chest.

Thaddeus rolled his eyes. "I had to shower."

"Well, you took a while." She retorted, crossing her arms and sticking her nose in the air.

He just rolled his eyes again. Thaddeus planted a hand a top her head and spun her towards the chairs. "Come, let us wait for that ignorant Scott."

Mallory sighed. "Go easy on Dagger. He's a nice guy."

Thaddeus scoffed. "Don't say such crazy things, Mal."

She simply ignored him, taking a seat. She looked over and saw Caleb standing a ways away, eyeing her and Thaddeus. Suddenly, a loud howl rang through the halls.

Mallory looked towards the sound as the Execution Squad come forward. They were huddled around something. Mallory watched as Josef trailed behind them, his family in tow. "Please, he's just a boy—!"

"Ravager, return to your quarters. We will deal with the half-blood. He is needed."

Josef grimaced, but did as he was told. His son, Garroth, whimpered. "But—!"

Eleanor grabbed his shoulder. "Not now, Sweetie. We mustn't get involved."

Mallory watched as Garroth was dragged away. His eyes were filled with tears. It was strange, seeing one so young so upset. Her gut twisted at the sight.

Caleb remained planted against the wall, his eyes drinking in the sight. The ES came to a stop near them. Mallory watched as they parted slightly. Standing in the middle of them was a young boy, no older than Caleb. He had thick, curly black hair that fell around blue-green eyes. He appeared young, but the fear and terror in his eyes aged him. Chains rattled as he shifted slightly. The clothes he wore were ragged and torn, both from age and an apparent scuffle.

Thaddeus frowned. "Who is this boy?"

The ES refused to answer, their faces hid underneath the cloth that draped over them. Mallory knew better than to push them for answers. The ES was a group only called upon to dela with the most dangerous beings. Whatever this boy was, she didn't really want to know.

She met his gaze, and he stared at her. His eyes were glossy with bushes tears, and he said nothing. Mallory averted her gaze, tears threatening to leave her eyes instead. She felt a warm hand gently squeeze her shoulder. Mallory leaned against Thaddeus, glad for the comfort he provided.

"Och! Damn ye to Hell!"

Mallory sighed at the familiar Scottish drawl. She looked behind the ES and watched Dagger push forward. His brown eyes were narrowed in slits as he eyed them. His gaze never drifted to the boy. After giving them what he felt was an acceptable threat, Dagger sat down next to her.

"You're late." Mallory said, refusing to look at him.

"As if ye even noticed, ye bloody brògan."

Mallory knew he insulted her, but had gotten use to his curses in his native tongue. Thaddeus gave him a dark glare. Unlike her, he had actually studied the language so he could understand what the Scotts Man called him. "Don't call her that, Tyler."

Dagger glowered at him, obviously upset he used his real name. "Bloody màthair."

Mallory had to hold Thaddeus back from murdering the man to her right. Once she managed to quell the situation, they retreated. However, both were left fuming like toddlers who didn't get that toy they wanted. Mallory focused back on the boy, who was staring at each of them.

"Hey there,"

The boy flinched, not expecting her words. The ES did nothing to stop her, so she continued. "My name is Mallory, but you can call me Mal. What's your name?"

Thaddeus and Dagger watched them. Their gaze was hot on her back, and she could tell the boy was terrified. He shudders slightly before looking at her. "T-Timothy."

"It's nice to meet you Timothy."

Timothy shifted, but winced against his bonds. It was then that Mallory saw the burns on his wrists. She didn't know what material those handcuffs were, but they were most likely silver. Was he a werewolf?

"Why are you here, Timothy?"

The boy frowned, debating whether or not to tell her. He glanced up at his captors. Still, the ES did make any movement to stop them. "They told me that the people in there have something important to say about me."

Dagger straightened up, suddenly interested. "Are ye joshing wit' us?"

Timothy shook his head. "They told me that I— I have an important role to play in the future. I'm supposed to save the world."

Mallory blinked. "How do they know that?"

Before Timothy could answer, the door swung open. Mystic walked out, clutching a beige folder. She walked over to them. "Here you go. You ready to read this?"

Mallory nodded. Mystic handed the folder to her. She swallowed her nerves as she opened it and pulled out the white sheet. Her eyes found the beginning, and she began to read.

"Human and Supernatural collide.
A long forgotten god awakens.
Four Daevas rise from within the world,
While the three Nephilim roam among them.
Upon the meeting of these groups and the Supernatural,
War shall strike
And the Devil himself
Will come out to play,"

Mallory shuddered. "What does it mean?"

"Human and supernatural colliding. Does it mean that humans will bear witness to this event?" Mystic questioned, her dark eyes canvassing the paper.

Dagger shrugged. "I'd be more interested in the thang wit' the Daevas. Mightn't be interestin', no?"

Thaddeus pointed at one line. "It mentions Nephilims. It means us, right?"

Mallory shook my head. "What about the god part?"

Timothy suddenly reached forward and snatched the paper. His eyes scanned it, and then he shuddered. The burns on his wrists were worse. Mallory grimaced. The poor boy.

"The god— it means him, doesn't it?" His voice was barely above a whisper. Timothy said nothing else as he handed the paper back. As soon as he pulled his arm back behind the guards, the pounded their staffs on the floor and led him away, closing him off from the rest of the world.

Mallory looked at Mystic. "Who is that?"

Mystic sighed, sadness creasing her face. "That, Mallory, would be the unfortunate fate one of the greatest hunter's child."

"Why would they do that to him?"

"It's because of what he is."

Mallory almost jumped out of her skin. She turned around to see All-Seer standing there, his face contorted in pain. "What do you mean?"

"Timothy is a halfling— a Nephilim and Werewolf. But, he also is something else. He's a vessel."

"A vessel? For what?" Thaddeus question, looking back at the ES as they led the child away.

"For Fenrir, the Norse being that brings about Ragnorak."