"You don't scare us Dark-hunter." One of the Daimons snarled. 

Nick scoffed. "Enough of the chitchat, let's get this over with it's getting pretty boring." 

The Daimons attacked in unison. Nick merely sneered at them as they advanced. Remembering he was in the presence of a human, he yelled. 

“Find somewhere you can hide and close your eyes. I’ll get back at you in a second.” 

Azail did as she was told. She ducked beside the dumpster and closed her eyes. 

She only did so because she didn't like to be touched by strangers other than her sister or her friend. Nick made short work of the Daimons and in just about a minute they had all exploded into the air. He walked back to the kid hiding beside the dumpster. 

“You okay there, kid?” Nick asked the kid ground on the ground. The boy was crouched low holding his hoodie to his head. 

“Is it over?” He heard him say. 

“Yeah.” Nick replied. 

The boy looked up; staring at him with deep set almond shaped brown eyes. Nick surveyed the kid. He could be anywhere between 12-15 years old. The kid was short too and had a nice even tan colored skin. 

“Where are the blondies?” The boy asked looking around him. 

“They scattered.” Nick replied. There was something odd about the kid but he couldn’t quite place. 

“What are you doing in a place like this?” He asked as the kid stood up. “Are you a tourist?” The boy shook his head. 

“I’m looking for my sister’s condo. I arrived today from New York. I wandered aimlessly and now I got lost.” 

“Do you have your sister’s address?” 

Azail shook his head again. “The map is in my phone and I can’t call her or text her because my phone’s dead.” She explained. 

Nick tsked. “You’re in luck kiddo. I know this place like the back of my hand. I’ll take you to your sister’s condo if you’d like.” He offered. 

The kid smiled brightly for a bit and then was suddenly replaced with a wary stare. 

“I’m not supposed to talk to strangers…” 

Nick offered his hand. “Nick Gautier. You don’t have to be scared. I won’t harm you.” 

He must be out of his mind for offering to be a tour guide for a kid he just met. Normally when he rescues a mortal from an attack he would just stalk them up until he is sure that they’re safe or most of them would try to run away from the Daimons but not this kid. 

There was something about the kid that he wanted to protect him. It must be because was once a kid himself and he knew that the kid’s sister must be worried sick, that he can totally relate to. He thought bitterly, remembering how his mother would talk his ears off every time he was out with his Bubba and Mark. The boy just stared blankly at his outstretched hand. 

“How am I supposed to know you’re not a psychopath?” Azail replied. She looked intently at Nick a once over. Shady. Sexy and handsome but shady. Very shady. She thought surveying Nick’s appearance. 

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“You don’t.” Nick replied firmly. “But I swear I would not harm a single hair in your head and I will see that you’re safely back to your sister.” 

Azail didn’t know why he agreed to go with Nick but he believed in his sincere words. “Alright. My name’s Azail,” she said taking Nick’s still outstretched hand. “I need some dinner too. I’ve been walking for hours.” She admitted. 

“I know a good place.” 

Athry paced back and forth the living room of her spacious living room. It’s been 3 hours since she received a text or a call from her sister. Azail said she was heading to her condo but it’s already dark outside and there’s no trace of her anywhere. Fearing the worst she dialled her sister’s number again like what she had been doing for the past 3 hours. 

When there’s trouble you know who to call… Azail’s phone rang from the pocket of her shorts. 

“Nice ringtone.” The blond woman from behind the counter whom she could remember as Aimee smiled. Azail smiled in return and mumbled her thanks. 

She was sitting in the bar eating her third basket of honey-cured chicken wings when her ringtone reminded her that she was supposed to call her sister thirty minutes ago. 

“Oh gods of Olympus.” She muttered under her breath not noticing that most of the occupants of the bar stared at her for a full 30 seconds, including Nick. She took another off her chicken wing, fumbled for her phone and answered it before the third ring line of the song. 

“I’m sorry,” were the first words that came out of her mouth as soon as she took the call. 

She was sure it was Athry as she had assigned that song as an incoming call ring tone for her sister’s calls. The moment she finished her sentence Athry screamed full force from the other line that she had to take the phone a foot away from her ear. 

“Where are you? Are you okay? You haven’t returned any of my calls or my texts. Have you eaten dinner? You are so dead you brat. You better tell me where you are so I can pick you up. Are you safe?” 

A tic worked on Nick’s jaw as he remembered the past when his mother gave him the same scolding over the phone. He could see himself in the shoes of the boy. It wasn’t his fault but he was being scolded for it. He could hear the person in the other line and he could sense her worry over the kid. 

“I’m sorry Athry. I’m alright. I’m eating dinner at this bar near Ursulines. I am safe. The food’s great here. It’s called Sanctuary.” Azail replied. 

Athry’s blood went cold when she heard the name of the place. It was the last place Azail should be. “I’ll be there in 5 minutes.” She said then hung up. She grabbed her keys and bolted out of the door as fast as she can. 

“Was that your sister?” Nick asked. 

Azail nodded. “I’m sorry you had to hear that,” she apologized. 

“Don’t sweat it.” He replied. “We all go through that. I’m sure your sister’s just relieved that you’re safe.” The boy silently nodded going back to the basket of chicken.