Year 2000, Glasgow, Scotland.

The blood moon's reflection shimmered in the puddle as the last drops of rain fell. Thunderous applause in the far distance as crowds of people enjoyed the igniting of minerals crafted to resemble flowers bursting across the night sky, golden yellows, acid greens and flame reds lit up the heavens.

The night was New Year's Eve.

Daevan, a Lord from the Dark Realm watched. Flicking ash from his cigarette he felt something stir within, darkness slithering, settling in his gut. The feeling was vaguely familiar and one he had not experienced for eons.

Fear.

Exhaling cigarette smoke from his lungs, he shunned the unwelcome feeling, redirecting his attention to the firework spectacle.

No matter how long he walked the earth, he would never understand humans and their strange traditions. Their relentless search for perfection in others, although there was no perfection to be found within themselves. Their lives were short and insignificant, overridden by emotions and their love of others and things. Now, Love he could understand and in this he did not feel superior. The power love held over him, rendered him weak but also was his greatest strength. His mind drifted to Sophia. His love for her was deep, complex, overwhelming. Love was simply a word until the day she welcomed him into her world.

Bringing the collar of his coat closer to his face, He forced his attention to his surroundings, his eyes sharpened. He gazed into the shadows, his senses sampling the air for anything untoward or suspicious that may give away the location.

Aware the dilapidated building hadn't been occupied in years, probably decades, he doubted that even the rats would frequent this hellhole.

He narrowed his eyes, his heart slowing to a steady rhythm. Everything appeared still... peaceful almost; too damn quiet for his liking. Stepping closer to the edge, he peered over, observing the streetlamps below cast a yellow haze over the dark murky lake of concrete. Movement caught his eye as a black rat scurried around, darting left to right, unconcerned by the crackling of fireworks that still burst above him.

He wasn't even sure why he was paying attention to the smallest, most useless of details. Not when he had more pressing concerns that required his full attention.

As the wind picked up from the West, biting the tips of his ears, he took a final drag of his cigarette, blowing the remaining smoke from his lungs. He coughed, inflicting upon his lips a trivial smirk. The vessel he occupied was nearing its end of life. Although he was rather fond of this one. The tall, dark, and brooding look had served him well over the years. Almost touching one 120yrs if his memory was correct, but still not looking a day over forty.

Dare I think it? I'll miss this vessel.

Throwing the stub to the ground, he gazed at its flickering, glowing end, before grinding the sole of his foot hard into the asphalt beneath him.

Snuffing out its life.

He inhaled deeply. Neither the occasion of this night nor malingering would let him delay any longer. Time was no friend to him. With the weight of his pending task crushing his heart and the blood in his veins running ice cold, he grappled with his conscience. He reached into his inside pocket to touch what it hid.

Within seconds of touching the smoothness of the veiled object, he snatched back his hand as if burned. Cursing, he forced the last of the night air from his lungs, only to choke on the bitter taste of bile clogging his throat.

And just as he had smothered the flickering light from the cigarette moments ago, soon he would be required to extinguish another light.

A different light - A light born from darkness.

A light that could never burn bright.

One born from his own reckless stupidity.

He forced his legs to move, each step returning him to the bowels of this godforsaken place.

His eyes needed no natural light to see. Hidden in the basement's darkness, he came to a stop before the entrance to that room, the room that would seal his fate.

An insignificant spider wove its intricate web in the darkness. He wished his life could be as simple as this tiny spider's. His heart beat faster, blood rushing through his ears. His moment had arrived.

I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.

Over and over, he chanted.

But can I do this to her?

I have no choice.

He was distracted from his thoughts by incantations stirring from inside the room before him, noting the change in the air surrounding him. It was thick with magic; he could taste it. Sulphur and other mysterious flavours danced across his tongue, erasing any lingering trace of his cigarette.

Unease snaked upwards, coiling around his spine. Wrapping itself around his throat. Tightening its hold, like an invisible hangman's noose. Balling his hand into a fist, he swallowed down his disgust at his weakness. Can't open a door for fucks sake.

Cold burned through his hand as he turned the handle, forcing a yawn from the old door as he cracked it open.

In the barely lit room, his eyes fell on a small woman in the corner, Martha. A Witch. Small in stature but a witch of formidable magical strength, in that there was no doubt. Forcing the door open to accommodate his size, he stepped inside to almost be stopped by the magical barrier in place. He pushed forward, feeling its power drain his. He wished he had fed before returning. Ignoring his base instinct he let his eyes fall upon the only piece of furniture within the small damp room, a bed. No ordinary bed, it floated an inch above the unclean floor. Its four golden upright posts bringing the only light to the small room. Its sole purpose was to ensure the comfort of it two occupants.

The invisible noose tightened, burning his throat.

Martha's head hung low, swaying. Her long, untamed raven hair obscured her deathly white face, hiding the concentration that demanded all of her mystic strength. Feeling herself waver, albeit slightly, she pushed aside the aching headache threatening to split her head in two.

She ignored his presence, unconcerned with his sudden reappearance. She couldn't allow for any distraction. She delved deeper, calling on ancient powers, evoking her spells. Working from the light and the darkness within. The surrounding air crackled with energy as a static charge flickered through her fingers, burning the very ends.

Daevan's eyes remained on the bed occupants; the deep-seated urge to walk towards her overwhelmed him. He swallowed to relieve the pressure around his throat. His ears pricked as he listened to Martha chanting. He attempted to decipher the language, having never heard the words prior to this night. A dead language, perhaps?

From the corner of his eye, a twinkling of light caught his attention. He took a step back as more light; golden in colour began to fill the room. He followed the golden swirls to see it originated from Martha's hands. He had never beheld such magic as the streams of light headed in the direction of the bed, hovering above, dancing to their own hypnotic rhythm.

A protection spell for sure, he thought.

As the light became brighter, it forced his eyes downwards, back to the bed. He heart swelled as he watched her, Sophia. She sat upright in the middle of the bed; her voluminous golden curls glistened under the light that hovered above her. It cascaded over her pale shoulders, resting on her exposed breasts. A delicate waft of jasmine tickled his nose, conflicting with an overpowering sulphur aroma.

Memories of happier occasions burned behind his eyes. Her pure uncorrupted soul penetrated his tarnished soul. It brought a burning impulse to sit next to her, press his nose to her hair, inhale and whisper sweet affirmations of his love.

Almost... he forgot his reason for returning.

The illusory noose tightened, dousing her light from his soul.

Sophia protectively covered her prized possession, not acknowledging his existence. She didn't look up, her eyes transfixed, almost bewitched, as she peered down at the small bundle swaddled in her arms.

Daevan's ears pricked. He could have sworn he heard her cooing to the infant.

"Close the door Daevan," Martha instructed, without looking in his direction.

Irritation rankled the hairs on his neck. Nevertheless, he followed her order.

Sophia spoke softly without lifting her head. "Come see, Daevan. She's so beautiful. The most beautiful being I've ever set eyes upon," said Sophia, apparently unsurprised by his sudden reappearance.

Sophia's melodic voice sang out to him, beckoning for him to see. He doubted anything could be as beautiful as Sophia. She was a Pure Soul, a light to his dark.

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Just the thought of seeing the creature she held sent ripples of panic flooding through every nerve.

His self-imposed nose tightened...cutting his vocal cords.

Never able to refuse Sophia any request, he willed his feet to move, one after the other. He approached the bed as his hand gripped the outside of his long coat. He felt the hard object hidden inside, waiting for the moment that would inevitably mean the end of her love for him. Knowing she would never forgive what he was about to do.

Reaching the end of the bed, she held out her hand. Her warm smile filled him with a burning ache; his heart burst in response to her simple gesture, rendering him vulnerable to her invitation.

He craved to be near her, have her love lighten his blackened soul. She was his one weakness.

Unable to resist her pull, he stepped closer, enveloping her hand with his. Gulping, he focused his attention on her, solely her, remaining silent.

The invisible noose tightened...

Sophia observed him approach, letting his hand engulf hers. The pact they had both agreed upon regarding their creation swirled through her thoughts.

Before the birth, they had talked for hours about the consequences of their child's birth and what needed to be done. Unable to abort the pregnancy, any attempt whilst the child grew inside Sophia would have ended her life too.

They knew the child could not live. They would hunt her. She was an abomination in the eyes of the Conclave... the eyes of the world.

She could never know the joys of growing up, laughing, being loved, or bearing children of her own. They would never allow it.

But that was before she had set eyes upon her, captivated by her purity, beauty and innocence. She was born from light and love, not from the bowels of darkness.

Cradling the small, blameless life in her arms, Sophia knew she would never willingly end her child's life.

She squeezed his hand, her eyes seeking his. Feeling his trepidation of being this close, she wanted him to look at their child. "Look at her, my love. Look at what we gave life to, what our love created."

Each word sliced through him. She was right; he could never deny his love for her.

Hesitation flashed through his eyes, and they narrowed as he fought whatever battle was brewing deep within.

"I can't do it... I know we settled," she continued, eyes wide with doubt. Her voice trembled, "I know what may come to pass and I know what we did was wrong, but she doesn't deserve to die Daevan. Not by my hand, or by yours." Her eyes fell to where his other hand continually rubbed the outside of his long coat. Even if she didn't know what it hid, she'd have sensed its power.

He flinched, her words cutting a gaping hole in his heart, forcing his eyes closed.

You're a Demon for fucks sake. The First Vampire to walk the earth. A Lord of the Dark Realm. Others kneel at your feet.

His hands were hesitant, his heart pounding. It shouldn't be this difficult. With little force, he should easily be able to rip this infant from his lover's arms. Sink the hidden cursed dagger that sat deep inside his coat with one clear stab, straight to the heart, deep into its chest.

It's just a vessel for fucks sake... just a vessel.

"Please, Daevan. Just lay your eyes upon her... for me. She is born of you and I. She is neither light nor dark. She's perfect." Desperately she pleaded, with hope in her heart, that he would accept their creation. See what she saw. Feel what she felt.

Coercing his eyes open, he steadied his gaze on the pure light that shimmered across her face. His resolve faltered as her beautiful jewelled blue eyes reflected pain, and for a moment he wanted to hold her. Kiss her and tell her he would burn down the world to take the pain from those eyes.

"Please Daevan. Trust in me." She could feel his resolve weakening with each plea.

The insurmountable desire to please her shattered the last of his resolve. His eyes fell from hers towards the tiny living creature cradled in her arms.

A deathly hush fell across the room as iridescent, beguiling eyes greeted his. Time rested as his whole body slammed into an invisible block wall. Spinning thoughts. Burning shallow breaths squeezed his lungs as coherent thought flew off into some far distant realm.

By the Angels.

Strange, unfamiliar sensations settled over him, the invisible noose that burned his throat, loosened, falling away. He couldn't take his eyes from her. If he had a soul or heart worth anything at that moment, the tiny breath-taking angel that stared back at him would have devoured it whole.

He felt a steel band tighten around his heart. No harm would come to his child. Overwhelming feelings of protectiveness emerged, as a rallying cry of paternal instincts flooded his vessel's body, seeping into his soul.

He sank to his knees.

Sophia felt hope spring to life as she watched him sink, observing his resigned demeanour. His face softened as the love she felt for their child reflected in those soulful midnight eyes. She could see what she always saw when he looked at her, the light behind the darkness. "You feel it, don't you?" She asked, her eyes sparkled as her faith in him grew.

Daevan had not moved. Words failed him as he mumbled something inaudible.

Sophia seized the moment. Releasing her hand from his, she touched his cheek. "We have to protect her, Daevan," she said, watching as his eyes locked with hers. "With our lives, if needs arise."

Martha ceased chanting. Collecting up some Sage from the makeshift altar, she crushed the dried leaf in her hands, blowing the remnants into the air. Her protection spell would remain in place... for now.

She turned and eyed them. It was a strange sight to behold, him a Vampire Demon and Sophia, a Pure Soul, an Angelic Creature of immense beauty and older even than him. She had never witnessed or heard of a relationship like theirs before and doubted she would witness it again.

Averting her gaze, she raised her head pushing out her tongue, as if to taste the air in the now semi-darkened room. Her magic dispersed, its influence lessening. They had to decide. Now!

"I can shield her, but it will come at a cost." She already knew their decision, as she had foreseen it many times. Just as it had been prophesied, centuries ago.

Reaching inside her pocket, she removed the small bag of ingredients.

Daevan searched out Martha's eyes, obsidian in colour. "Tell me. What do you need?"

Martha opened the small bag, inhaling the aromatic tang of the exotic ingredients, some of which she had been collecting for years, for this very day. "I have all but one of the ingredients I need, but I must warn you. Safeguarding the child will come at a high cost and conditions must be adhered to for it to remain intact."

"Anything you need, I can get," he said, steadfast in his abilities to acquire whatever she needed.

Eyeing him, she chose her words carefully. "It's not 'what' I need. It's 'whom' I need. To protect a life, to shield them from all who would do her harm, then another life must be given."

Daevan rose to his feet but his eyes remained on his child. "A sacrifice?" Hell, he could sacrifice another life to protect her. Fuck, he would sacrifice himself if need be.

"Yes" Martha solemnly replied.

"Who then? Another child. An innocent?" His head snapped towards Martha.

Martha raised her hand and pointed her bony finger towards her target.

His heart stopped. "No... no... NO!" The colour drained from his face. Anybody, Anybody but Sophia.

"Take me." His eyes burned with determination, his voice firm, commanding.

Martha held his gaze. "It has to be a Pure Soul, Daevan."

He looked back to Sophia; devastation punched a whole in his gut as his chest squeezed the air from his lungs.

Sophia tightened her grip on her baby. She smiled adoringly as gurgling from her daughters small perfect mouth, was music to her ears. She ran her finger across her pink cheek, every moment precious. "Evangeline. I want to name her Evangeline."

"What the...?" Had she not listened? "Sophia, my love, did you not hear Martha?"

Sophia's smiled widened, not a trace of distress touching her beautiful blue eyes. "It's okay, Daevan. I'm not afraid; I'm willing to honour the price. My life to protect hers."

He paced the small room; there was no way in this life or the next he would pay the price. No way in hell. "Why can't I find another Pure Soul?" His words were soaked with desperation as his eyes pleaded with Martha's.

"We don't have time. They will already know of her birth. As soon as she entered this world, a shock wave of immense magnitude rippled throughout the universe. Every Angel, Demon... Others and beyond. They will know. My magic can only hide this room from the world's eyes and ears for so long."

Sophia kissed Evangeline. Whispering against the infant's forehead. "Start your preparations, Martha. Prepare your spell."

Daevan could feel his heart being ripped from his chest. "Please, Sophia. I cannot, not you. I-I can't."

"You can," she interjected. "I never imagined I could love a Vampire, a demon of unimaginable cruelty, but I see your soul, Daevan. I see how much love hides inside and I know you love me unconditionally. Just like I know you already love her." Her eyes fell on Evangeline.

"She will need you. And I need you to do this... For me. For us. For her."

Once again, he sank to his knees, the weight of her decision dragging him into despair, but knowing he would save his daughter, with his own life if needed.

"Prepare your spell, Martha," he said, his words soaked, drowning in his own pain.

Sophia's eyes remained fixed on her daughter, watching her tiny mouth explore her bare breast. Maternal instincts flooded her senses as she adjusted her precious little angel, allowing her to latch on, to feed from her. "Come sit with me, Daevan."

Crushed under the weight of the world, he rose and sat next to her. The sight of his newborn daughter suckling at Sophia's breast tore a strip from his hardened heart.

"Let me feed you, Daevan." Her voice was commanding, reminiscent of when they first met.

His eyes left Evangeline and fell on hers. The last thing he wanted was to feed from Sophia.

Kiss her, yes.

Hold her, yes.

Make Love to her, yes.

But to feed? The mere thought repulsed him. "No!" He didn't want the last memory he had of her to be one of feeding from her heavenly body.

"My love, it's a gift that I want to give. To feed the two souls that mean to most to me in this physical realm."

She paused for a moment, something he couldn't identify flashing in her blue eyes. A shadow - hesitation perhaps?

Sophia continued. "And for Martha to complete her spell, I will need to be near death. That has to be the way."

No pain or sadness echoed within her words. No reluctance to give her life so generously.

"Please Sophia, haven't you asked enough of me this night?"

He had taken so many lives over thousands of years. Death hung over him like a shadow evading the light. An eternity of him on his knees, begging for her forgiveness, declaring his undying love, would follow.

As she held his gaze, she couldn't deny the sadness she would endure leaving him and their child here in the physical realm. Alone, unaware of their fate. "I know this is testing my love. If there was a different way, I would oblige, but there is not and I will give all that I have to you both. I will feel no pain."

Unable to hold her gaze, his head fell as her scent blew over him like a soft ocean breeze, stirring fragments he neither loved nor hated within. Sighing, he accepted their fate as Martha chanted only feet away. Lifting his head he found her watching him. She smiled without doubt or fear, her eyes deceptively offering him silent promises of joy and love.

Sophia stroked her daughter's head before raising her hand to the back of her head, sliding her hair from her opposite shoulder to allow him access to her throat.

Watching her pulse flutter beneath her pale skin, he moved closer, lifting her angelic face level with his own and kissing her for the last time. Her soft lips welcomed his. He could hear her heartbeat and her pulse quicken as he deepened the kiss, wanting to stretch this moment into eternity. Slowly edging back, his mouth trailed kisses across her jawline up towards her ear, inhaling the rich scent that was only her. "I will love you for an eternity, my love. You and only you," he whispered.

"And I you," she replied.

Edging closer to her neck, his arms moved across her chest and settled on her arm, gripping it softly. The soft fragrance from her throat burned sweetly in his nostrils. He licked the ripe spot, causing a rush of blood to his groin as his whole body hardened, triggering his own blood to surge. His teeth sharpened against his tongue and he could all but taste her blood. He longed for it just as much as he longed for her pure soul to lighten his darkness.

Licking the skin of her neck, he opened his mouth, sinking his teeth, breaking her skin to hear her gasp. Her heart calmed and her pulse steadied as the taste of her sweet blood flowed freely into his mouth and his senses sang their familiar song, one last time.