As the plane descended into Pittsburgh International Airport, the skyline of the city loomed ahead. The steel bridges, the rivers intersecting, and the tall buildings of downtown Pittsburgh were welcoming sights. To anyone else, this would seem like a return home, but to Christi and me, this was the next stage in a challenging journey.

We disembarked quickly, with minimal luggage, eager to head to my apartment in the city. From the airport, I rented a nondescript SUV. The less attention we drew, the better.

As we drove, I glanced over at Christi. Her face was a medley of emotions. Excitement at being in a new city, anxiety over what awaited us, and the lingering pain of recent events. I tried to reassure her with a smile. “We’re almost there, just hang on a little longer.”

But as we approached the entrance to my apartment building, an unsettling feeling crept over me. The street was unusually quiet, and the shadows between the buildings seemed darker, more menacing. I slowed down, my senses on high alert.

Suddenly, a group of figures emerged from the shadows, their intentions clear as day. Cambions. Half-demon, half-human creatures known for their insatiable lust for power and their fierce loyalty to their demonic parents. Fifty of them, in fact. My grip on the steering wheel tightened. Their appearance here could only mean one thing – they were after Christi.

Without waiting, I pulled my katanas from the backseat, and in a single fluid motion, leapt out of the SUV. Despite being outnumbered, my years of training and the 70% of power I had allowed myself gave me an unparalleled advantage.

The first wave of Cambions lunged at me, their eyes glowing with a red malevolence. But they were no match. With each swing of my blades, they fell. It felt like I was dancing through a choreographed routine, each step and move premeditated. Despite their number, it was as if they were standing still, waiting for their turn to be defeated.

From the corner of my eye, I spotted a larger figure, more menacing than the Cambions – Christi’s father. His eyes were fixed on his daughter, his intentions clear. Kidnapping her once was not enough; he wanted her power, her essence. But I would not let that happen.

Christi, sensing his presence, screamed out. Her father took that as his cue, trying to sneak his way past the melee to reach her. But I was faster. Intercepting him, our blades clashed. The sound echoed through the streets, a stark reminder of the battle at hand.

In the midst of our duel, Christi unleashed a surge of energy, pushing back several Cambions that were inching closer to the SUV. Her father, sensing the threat she posed, momentarily faltered in his attack, giving me the upper hand.

In a split second, I delivered a powerful blow, forcing him to retreat. But before I could deal the final blow, he vanished, leaving behind only the remnants of his malevolent energy. The remaining Cambions, seeing their leader flee, scattered in all directions, leaving the streets empty once again.

Breathing heavily, I sheathed my katanas and rushed to Christi. Pulling her into a tight embrace, I whispered, “You’re safe now.”

She nodded, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and admiration. “You... you were amazing. Like something out of a movie.”

I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “Just doing my job. Now, let’s get inside before any more unexpected guests decide to show up.”

And with that, we made our way to my apartment, the weight of the night’s events heavy on our shoulders but our determination stronger than ever. The fight had been won, but the war was far from over.

Christi's wide-eyed gaze found mine, her face a mask of shock. "That was... That was my father?" she whispered.

I nodded, my face solemn. "Yes, but remember, he's not the same person he once was. Whatever shred of humanity he had left is now gone. Cambions like him barely hold onto their humanity for any of their adult life and he managed to hold on longer than most but I think when we saw him in State College he was right on the edge of losing it. Now I think he is completely gone, kiddo."

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Christi's lips quivered, and I could sense the storm of emotions brewing within her. "Let's move. We need to be cautious and swift," I urged, leading her towards the exit.

As we made our way through the apartment building, I sent a secure text to Damon: "Ambush at my building. Need your pack's assistance at Angelina's burial."

His response was immediate. "Understood. We'll be there."

We arrived at my Angels and Christi’s apartment without further incident. Her belongings, tainted with memories of happier times, made it difficult for her to pack. She hesitated as she picked up a family photo, her thumb brushing over her mother's face.

"Take all the time you need," I murmured softly, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

It took her nearly an hour, but finally, Christi was ready to leave. The emotional toll evident in her every movement. We then made our way to my apartment.

Walking into my apartment felt strange, knowing that we were on borrowed time and about to uproot our lives completely. I quickly gathered essentials: documents, weapons, money, and some personal items. My apartment was designed to be quickly abandoned if necessary, a safety protocol I’d established long ago.

Finally, we descended into the sub-basement. Hidden from prying eyes, my armored RV stood ready. It was custom-built with state-of-the-art security systems, offering both mobility and protection. As Christi stared in awe, I began loading our belongings.

"Damon's pack will be at the cemetery," I confirmed as I secured the last of our bags. "They'll ensure no disruptions during Angelina's burial."

Christi nodded, the weight of the day causing her shoulders to sag. "I just want to say goodbye to Mom," she whispered, tears threatening to spill.

"We will," I assured her, drawing her into a tight embrace. "You will have your moment with her, uninterrupted. Afterward, we'll begin our journey."

We settled into the RV, the fortified vehicle easily navigating the city streets. Tomorrow would be a tough day, a culmination of grief, remembrances, and goodbyes. But with Damon and his pack watching over us, I was confident we could offer Angelina a proper farewell and keep Christi safe.

The morning of Angelina's funeral was shrouded in gray clouds, mirroring the somber mood that hung in the air. Damon and his pack had discreetly positioned themselves around the cemetery, ensuring our safety as we gathered to bid our final farewells to Christi's mother.

Christi stood at the graveside, her small frame dwarfed by the casket before her. Tears streamed down her face as she whispered her heartfelt goodbyes to her mother. It was a moment of painful closure, yet also a necessary step towards healing.

The priest's words offered solace, but they couldn't fill the void left by Angelina's absence. The attendees, mostly distant relatives and a few of Angelina's friends, paid their respects quietly, knowing that the circumstances of her passing were far from ordinary.

Damon's pack remained vigilant, blending seamlessly into the small gathering. Their presence was a comfort, ensuring that no disturbances marred this solemn occasion.

With the ceremony concluded, we made our way to the armored RV. Damon and his pack kept a discreet distance, blending into the procession of mourners as we left the cemetery.

Once inside the RV, the atmosphere was heavy with the weight of our loss, but also with the knowledge that we were moving forward. Our destination, a remote cabin far away from the city, would serve as our sanctuary and training ground.

I drove while Christi sat beside me, her eyes gazing out the window as the city gradually disappeared from view. It was a bittersweet moment – leaving behind the life she had known, but also escaping the danger that had haunted us.

Hours turned into miles, and as the city gave way to open countryside, a sense of relief settled upon us. We were no longer confined by the shadows of the past. Our journey westward continued, a new chapter awaiting us in the remote wilderness.

Damon's pack, ever watchful, trailed behind us at a discreet distance, ensuring our safety on this first leg of our journey. With their protection, we could focus on healing and preparing for the challenges that lay ahead.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the landscape, Christi turned to me, her eyes filled with determination.

"You're going to teach me to be strong like you, right?" Christi asked.

"Of course. And who knows? Maybe someday you'll surpass me," I replied, smiling at her and ruffling her hair.

"Hey! I'm not a kid anymore. I have my power now, and it's time for me to act like an adult," Christi declared, trying to sound as serious as any 9-year-old could.

"Cherish this time, kid. Because once we reach the cabin, your training will start all over again. It won't be like our time in the desert. We'll push both your physical limits and the boundaries of your power to see what you're truly capable of. You'd best rest up and prepare yourself," I teased with a smirk.

With that, we lapsed into a comfortable silence, embarking on our long journey southwest toward the Appalachian Mountains, our home for the foreseeable future.