Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize from the book, that is all Diane Duane's, however everything else is mine - plot, a couple characters, etc. I'm not making any money off this, yaddah, yaddah, you know the drill…

Prologue

Senior Galactic Advisory Summit

Council of Five Galaxies

Alpha Centauri VI

100 years ago.

"It cannot remain here! It is a danger to any civilized world!"

"The representative of Zeon is correct in this," a second man stood to voice his opinion in the council, "however we also cannot afford to run the risk of not knowing where it is at any given time. Due to the incredible destructive capabilities of this tool, it is essential that it be located somewhere it can be guarded and observed."

"Objection! If we have the bright book, can it not reverse the effect of the dark book? Therefore if we have the one, why is it necessary to guard the other?"

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, my friend." The other councilor returned. "Large problems are infinitely easier to deal with when mostly or partially prevented. If we can prevent a disease from setting down roots in the first place, would it not take much less effort to uproot later? The same principle applies here."

"With a medical specialty are you not slightly biased on this subject?"

"Perhaps. Perhaps. In the subject of my examples, at any rate. But the principle is sound."

A new voice broke into the debate. "The senior advisory for the Orion Arm concurs with this assessment, councilor Nikez of Yazaan."

"Order please!" A man stood from the group of five senior galactic advisories seated at the head of the table. "Councilor Aqueera of Zeon, your argument shall still be considered, but we must also consider what may happen if the bright book, Powers forbid, is ever lost. If such a thing were to happen, the location of the dark book would become of crucial importance. Councilors, please be seated."

"If the council accepts that the dark book should indeed be guarded, who would be chosen for this task?"

The man standing at the head of the table sat back down amongst his four companions and they all deliberated briefly. He stood again. "The representative of Aria has brought up an excellent point. It is not the senior galactic advisory's wish to confer this burden forcibly on any world. It is at best, a risk, and at worst... well, we all have reminders of how it can be worse. Is any world here willing to have stewardship of the dark book, to guard it from use until such time as they are unable to accomplish this, due to extenuating circumstances, most likely concerning the Lone Power? We realize that it is a danger, but there is potentially greater risk if the book is not guarded. It is up to the council members. We will not force guardianship, but if no world comes forward, then we shall be forced to leave it on an uninhabited planet, which, in this advisory's opinion, could cause us greater damage later. If a world wishes to come forward, please feel free to speak now."

A young woman stood from her place at the council table, her thick jet-black hair swishing about her face and torso, the silver streaks in it shining eerily in the dimmed light.

"The Senior Galactic Advisory recognizes Councilor Sirena."

"The world of Vernalla would accept this guardianship." She said slowly and precisely, her voice sounding poised yet wary, and held an edge as if she expected to be rejected.

Sure enough, the Senior Galactic Advisory swiftly glanced about the table at the other members. "No one else? I say again, I will not force guardianship on any planet, least of all yours, Sirena. I know how much your people suffered. I will not downplay the responsibility and risk of this task. The Lone One will almost certainly be drawn to it, if not now, certainly at some future time. This will endanger the guardian world, and most certainly the guardians themselves. It is not a task lightly given or easily accepted. The Books have the power to change reality. The dark book's powers lie in destruction and darkness, remolding worlds into shadows of themselves. This power will seep out and taint its surroundings, and we cannot guarantee that wizards, even guardians, will be able to stop this, or even not be affected themselves. After its last encounter with your world, are you certain you wish to accept this task?"

The girl's green eyes took on a feral yellow tint. "The world of Vernalla understands the responsibilities and dangers and still wishes to undertake this task, despite said risks. We are capable, and more, we are experienced. Our last encounter with the book taught us more than any other world knows about it. We are the best suited to the task. The slowing of entropy is our common goal, Senior Advisor, and my world is in the best position to help in this situation. It would be against my oath not to act as I am now. This is not a personal redemption idea. Please do not single us out for special treatment. Yes we suffered, but so did other worlds. We are strong," her eyes went more yellow and her voice strengthened as she pleaded her case, "we recovered, we rebuilt. We have learned. Let us accept this task."

"Are all the wizards of your planet in agreement on this matter?"

Sirena's eyes slowly returned to green. "Yes, advisory, we are in agreement," her voice dropped, "all three of us."

"Then the council graciously accepts your generous offer. You shall be appointed guardians, and Vernalla the guardian world, may the Powers keep you."

"Thank you." Sirena sat back down, ebony and silver waves falling over the back of her chair.

As Sirena sat back in her chair, she felt a mind touch hers. Was that a wise move, Sirena? The dark book on our world? Again.

"I was afraid of this," she thought to herself, but answered back, I will not risk the safety of other worlds. We have learned since last time. The crystals can contain the effects. Our home held the book before, we can do it again. No other world is so equipped. If they take the guardianship then what happened to us will almost certainly happen to them. We have endured, our world has found a way to cope. We are more likely to survive than another world, as one inoculated against a disease is more likely to survive than one who is not.

I can see your reasoning and it rings of truth. I may not like it, but it is not my decision.

Then we are agreed, packmate?

You lead us. You know our minds and hearts, sometimes better than we know ourselves sometimes. You have never led us wrong. We trust you. I trust you. Yes, we are agreed.

The council does not understand our ways, Airon, or how one wizard can speak for all. she sighed. Are they right? Is it right for me to do this?

Sistermine, the pack is One. Together are we strong, together united under you. We will follow you, though shadows follow us. The eyes of night will watch over us.

A new mindvoice broke into the conversation, Sirena, I hope you know what you are doing, it growled. Before either could answer, the mindtouch faded.

I smell the Shadows on him, sistermine. Sirena could hear the soft growl in Airon's mindvoice.

Peace. I smell them too. All that transpired before has touched him in a way none of us can or probably will ever be able to understand. For now, only he can survive the caverns. We need him, but more than that, he is Pack. We must trust that he will help us do what is best for our home, and that what happened last time will not impede his better judgement.

The Shadows in the Deep are restless.

I have felt them, brothermine. Pray the night will quiet them. Vengeance is not for the dead. her mindvoice took on a harsh edge. It should not even be for the living. All life is sacred; one single death increases entropy.

Tread carefully, packmate.

I shall, heartbrothermine. I shall. Hunt well.

Hunt well. Recognizing the familiar dismissal, Airon reluctantly acknowledged it and Sirena felt his mindtouch fade out.

Sirena closed her eyes and dropped her face into her hands. Nighteyes and Silverfang, I hope I know what I am doing…