[15 years earlier]

"I don't think I can do this."

"We have to do this,  it's the only way. "

"But she's just a child. We could keep her with us. Keep her safe."

"How? We'd have to change our identity, constantly be on the move, leave everything and everyone behind; what kind of life would that be for her?  We would have to be invisible. One single misstep could mean her life."

"At least she would be with us! How am I supposed to live without her? We are just throwing her away! I'll never forgive you for this!"

"Honey. We are giving her a chance to survive.  A chance to live a life worth living.  Keeping her with us for the sake of our happiness wouldn't be anything but selfish."

"You can't possibly know she'll be safe. She'll be here, alone, worlds away from us, worlds away from sanctuary."

"I know that if the wrong person discovers she is the one to fulfill the prophecy, she will be ripped from us and sold to the highest bidder.  Do you know what sort of depraved individuals are out looking for her, even as we speak? Do you want that for her?"

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

"Well, no... of course not!"

Sigh. "Look, she is useless without her mana. We've made it so she is the only one capable of retrieving her mana, and to do that she will need her memories. Her memories are locked away until she finds her Godess-given mate, which will never happen. We've dampened her aura so deeply, her mate will never recognize her, or her them. My hope is that she grows up 'human,' finds herself someone to love, and lives a peaceful life."

"And her immortality, how will you explain that? She will outlive her 'love', not by years or decades, but by lifetimes."

"Elder Hein seems to think that will diminish with the sequestering of her mana. It's a risk we have to take."

Gasp. "You knew!? You knew you were cutting her life short when you agreed to this!? How could you?"

"It wasn't an easy decision to make.  I've not slept, barely eaten for months, agonizing over what we have to do. Or have you not noticed? I'd give my life for her without a second thought. But giving my life at this point would only make it easier for someone to take hers."

"We could stay here, too. We could all live together, normal human lives."

"We can't.  This is the only way."

Sobbing, "I'm not ready to let her go. I don't want her to be alone."

" I know, darling, I know."

Holding each other, they stand looking down at the sleeping child.  Her skin beautifuly pale, her hair softly glowing red, a silver tattoo shining at the nape of her neck. As they watch, her hair slowly dims and the tattoo fades to nothing.  She coos softly in her sleep, oblivious to the world around her.

"We've done everything we can for her. Besides, she won't be alone."