"Hunters, dear. Originally Witch Hunters because we were the first of all the Supernaturals to tip our hand to the Humans. We revealed ourselves naturally, over time, in the day to day relations and interactions of mundane life. Because we, unlike the Others, were, and are, closest to the Humans in body and spirit. All that sets us apart, you must always remember, is our Craft. We are Human in every other way. Only...driven and empowered by the very world around us, not victims of some monstrous, transformative curse."
There was a brief pause filled only with contemplative silence and the steady ticking of an old grandfather clock.
"By any normal perception, we have a foot in both worlds...the mundane and the supernatural. To many, we are Humans, tainted with the power of monsters, or Monsters, tainted with humanity. We are different from all others, and that difference alone causes distrust and hatred to be cast our way. But...there are some who know better. And the Hunters, well, dearie, the Hunters know best of all and have for the longest. They know that we are not unnatural aberrations but, rather, the exact opposite. We are Mother Nature made manifest in her sons and daughters, the very essence of natural, and the obvious evolution of humankind. The sheer, unrelenting truth of that has conquered even the most zealous of minds over the many, many years since we opened the way to this endless, secret war. No, my granddaughter, the Hunters do not hunt us from fear or hatred..."
"They hunt us with heavy hearts, it is true, but they hunt us nevertheless. They do it for Balance, and Control. We each, our lives precious to us because our births are so incredibly rare, are as seeming immortal and unending as the earth beneath our feet. While we seek to honor that gift of Life, the Hunters come to tame it. The rest of Humanity withers and dies in such a scant amount of time while we bloom full to purpose. Once, it is true, the Hunters resented and envied that power. But, over time, their resolve grew to what they see as nobler purpose. Each Witch and Warlock they capture brings them one step closer to unlocking a...redistribution of wealth, let's say."
"We have entreated them, of course. We are the guardians of this world and Nature chose its balance in us. I would like to leave it at that, of course, and claim the higher moral ground in this long argument. But it would be a lie. We are, after all, only Human. And the Dark Covens have so abused this power which was given to us to spread unselfishly for the betterment of the world, that we are forced to question whether Nature has indeed chosen wisely. Of efficiency, there can be no doubt. But we are thinking creatures, girl, and we must be wary of this trap. But that is a lesson for another time. For now, know that Hunters are to be feared above all others precisely because their resolve is not hardened by anger, jealousy, or fear. They believe themselves to be Righteous, which is the most dangerous motive of all. And when they come, they will not be persuaded. They will not show mercy. And attempts to collaborate or deal will fall on deaf ears. Do you understand, granddaughter?"
The grandmother calmly sipped her tea as the youngling considered her words and nodded slowly. Then, strident and measured, there came a knock on the stout wooden door of the cottage. The tea cup clattered against its saucer and the grandmother said, "Now, I wonder who that could be."