Uncle Carter put his hand on Hadrian arm, “She needs to get out of here and get back to the motel.”

“She won't make it.” Hadrian coldly said as he glared at my uncle. He laid me back down on the table and cupped my chin in his hand, turning my head to the side to look at the bite wound.

“She'll die if she doesn't get what she needs.” Uncle Carter said and I felt him grab me but it was quickly gone away.

“Don't touch her!” Hadrian hissed. “She's like this because you both couldn't save her. Now back off.”

“Hadrian. . .” I started and he turned my head to look up at him.

“Shh, Uccellina.” he said. “Remember the story I told you about the sick little girl in France? Who lived to be eighty?” he asked and I just nodded, my shoulder stinging as I did. I did remember the story, about the little girl he saved for bring flowers to him. “You are going to be fine, bella mia.”

He forced my mouth open a little and he leaned down, placing his mouth over mine. I closed my eyes, waiting for something to happen for a moment until something sweet like chocolate touched my tongue. It went down my throat gently, not forcing down my throat like what happens when he's breathing me in. It was gently like a feather going down to my heart. It didn't hurt like when I even had Aracelia blood.

I didn't feel weak, tired, or in pain anymore. I felt so normal and complete, like I could kick Demon butt still. I brought my arms up to Hadrian neck and moved my lips against him. He moved his with mine for a moment before he lift his head. He looked pale a little, his gray eyes a little dull. He smiled and brought his hand up, brushing back my hair.

He was ripped from my arm than and Dante kicked Hadrian to the ground. My eyes widen and I slid off the table, but I was pulled back by my uncle. I scoffed, thrashing in his arms as Hadrian got up.

“Stop it!”, I yelled when they both started fighting. I really didn't want to hurt my uncle, I didn't. I can understand they're both confused since Hadrian a Demon, but he just saved me! I was on the verge of dying and Dante thanking him by fighting him? And Uncle Carter was holding me back?

I brought my arm up and using my elbow, I hit him in the face hard. He let go of me and I walked over to Dante, grabbing his shirt. I pulled him off Hadrian and slammed his body into a wall. He gave me a surprised look and I glared at him, “Do something!” I yelled but I knew Dante wouldn't fight me.

“You're defending him!” he yelled, glaring at Hadrian who was starting to walk passed me, but I grabbed his hand and pulled him back.

“He just saved me!” I yelled as I pulled Hadrian behind me. I could feel the heat rising in the air, so much tension as we all glared at each other. “Yes, I am defending him! Why? Because it's wrong, he just saved me. You won't touch him again, Dante. You will have to go through me first.”

“You're fornicating with him?”, he asked, scoffing in disgust.

“Oh my, God! What is this? The sixteenth century?”, I asked at his use of old words. “I told you I had a boyfriend, I wasn't lying.”

“Oh my God.”, he said, looking at me with disgust and I rolled my eyes.

“You wont touch him again.” I said. “I really don't want any of you fighting."

Dante scoffed, walking over to me and Hadrian put an arm around my waist, pulling my back against his chest protectively as Dante came over. He bent down, looking at me coldly, “I may be what I am, but at least my soul isn't tainted.” he said and I felt Hadrian move behind me, but I grabbed his arm. Dante can say what he wants, I don't care.

+

I smiled down at Hadrian as he kissed the side of my head and I pressed my forehead against his, “You took a big risk, for me.” I said.

“Scarlet escaped though.” he said. “She jumped out the window and turned, running into the woods. I don't have a clue where she could have gone to. You're blood made her shift.”

“Do you know her?”, I asked as I shift around on his lap.

“I do,” he said. “I've known her a few hundred years back, old friends.”

“Friends?”, I questioned and cleared my throat. “Like—good friends? Friends with. . .benifits?”

He laughed, “Did she tell you that?” he asked as he pulled away and gave me a look that made me feel like I was crazy. “Do not take whatever she said to heart, I never did anything with her. She always tried but she was controlling as hell and pretty annoying as clingy as she was. She always had a crush on me.”

“So what do you think she'll do now?”, I asked.

He shrugged, “I don't know, but you'll need to stay watch where you go. She'll be after you, she wont stop now that she has your blood. She'll want more.”

“Nice to know I'll never be safe.” I said.

“You'll kick her ass next time, you're strong.” he said. “I had her, but when I saw you I gave her to your uncle. I cared less what happened to her. Maybe that was a bad idea now.”

“And you?” I asked. “Will she be coming after you?”

“Hardly my problem, it's not like she will be the first after my neck.” he said, rolling his eyes. He kissed me a few times and he took my hands, “You don't know how worried I was about you.”

“I would have came for you.” I said and he smiled.

“I know.”

The door to Uncle Carter opened and he walked in, “He's on the bus now.” Uncle Carter said, not looking at me as he set his keys down on the table.

I got up from Hadrian lap and walked over to him, “Uncle Carter, I can explain—“

“Not now, Nevaeh.” he said as he sat down and stared at the table. He hasn't looked at my face since we left the manor, I can see the disaporval on his face. “Oh and I called Nick. He's fine, the bitch was lying of course.”

“Uncle Carter, please, it's not like what you think.” I said, putting my hand on his shoulder but he jerked and pulled away. My heart ached when he did that and I felt so horrible. I knew he still loved me, but he hated who I was with. “Hadrian not what you think he is, he's different—''

“He's a Demon.” he coldly said as he looked up at me.

“It's not like I'm exactly human either.” I said.

“And that's why he wants you.” he said as he got up and I had to look at him. “He wants you because you're a damn Nephilim, Nevaeh!”

“You don't anything about me.” I heard Hadrian coldly said and I turned quickly, putting my hands on his chest to stop him as he walked over to us. “You don't know who I am.”

“I don't want to and I don't care. I just know I want to put a knife through your chest.”, he said. “I'm going to let Aracelia take care of this though.”

My eyes widen and I turned around, “What?”

+

I angrily watched as Aracelia got out her car and walked towards the steps. “I can't believe you rat me out.” I said to my uncle.

“It's for the best.” he sighed and I scoffed.

“Best?” I questioned. “He came for me, something he didn't have to do but he risked it. Do you know what could happen to him if Demons found out that he did that? They'll kill him.”

“Well if he cared so much, he would be here.” he said.

“I told him not to come, God knows what Aracelia would do to him.” I said as I turned when she got to the second floor and hurried over to me. She grabbed me, wrapping her arms around me tightly.

“Oh my poor little girl.” she said.

She pulled back to look over me, “I'm fine, really.”

“Good.” she said and gave me a hard look that made me gulp as she grabbed my arms a little tightly. “Are you crazy? Are you seriously that much like your father? Always putting yourself in danger?'

“Danger?”, I questioned. “Hadrian isn't dangerous.”

“He's a Demon, you're a Nephilim.” she said.

“I don't care!” I said and she groaned.

“Nevaeh, you don't understand though.” she said and took a deep breath to calm down. “Look, you're young and love is all new. I know it seems nice but it's not real.”

“Hadrian does care about me, I know he does.” I said and she snorted. “Demons can love, Aracelia. I know how Hadrian feels, he loves me.”

She shook her head, “No, Nevaeh, he doesn't. You need to be with someone who can take care of you, not make you lie to your family.”

“He saved me and you're saying he doesn't care? He couldn't have done it, but he did.” I said. “We hadn't seen each other in a year, he only survived on feeding on crooks and criminals. He isn't one of those Incubus you normally see anymore, he's different. He changed for me.”

“To lure you in.” she said. “It's what they do.”

“A whole year?” I heard Hadrian voice and my eyes widen. Aracelia let go of me and I turned to the rail to look down to see Hadrian looking up atbus. He walked over towards the staircase, "Do you know how long a year is when you are me? It feels like a thousand years. But I dealed with it because it was what Nevaeh would want."

"I told you to stay away." I said when he got the top.

"And make them think I don't care enough?" he asked. "I am here to prove to them how much I care." He looked at Aracelia who glared at him, "Do what you want, I don't care. Wanna beat me up? I'll take it, for her."

"Not a bad idea," she said and I grabbed her arm when she went towards him. "Why did you come back in her life?"

"It's hard to stay away from her," he said and I smiled.

"How about I break your legs and cut your eyes out? " Aracelia said and I rolled my eyes.  "Why my daughter, huh! She is mine!"

"You really think I'm a monster?" Hadrian asked. "You probably would tell her I'm that monster that hides under children beds. I'm as civil as you, we just have survive differently. Neveah is what brings that good out in me and trust me, I can't stand that part but she did. You can yell, scream, or whatever but it's not going to change anything Aracelia."

Aracelia grabbed my arms and turned me to look at her, "Think of your father, Nevaeh, think of how he would feel. Please save your soul for him.  Darling," she said as she cup my cheek in her hand, "You two can never really even be together.  You two are both completely different."

I swallowed the heavy lump in my throat and forced the tears back, "I know. But I know my dad wouldn't care, he knows how Hadrian treats me. "

"Nevaeh--"

""I know!" I yelled as I forced myself out of her arms and over to my room. I went over to my suitcase I never unpack because there is no reason to because we always never stay long and opened it when they all followed me and my uncle closed the door. I grabbed the necklace my dad gave me and turned to them. "And thanks to Hadrian, I know my father is okay with him.  Hadrian helped me go on a visit to see him, not you both.  You both kept trying to talk me out of it, but he knew how important it was for me."

Aracelia mouth fell as she turned to glare at Hadrian who was leaning against the wall, hands in his pocket. 

"I know my dad is fine now, that he's happy and watching down on us.  All of us and probably is now. He doesn't like it but he's okay with it. I wish you both would be." I said. 

"What is that?" Aracelia asked as she pointed at the necklace in my hands and I opened my hand and her eyes widen, "Where'd you get it?" she breathed out. She looked scared and confused.

"My dad gave it to me, he wanted me to bring it back here. It's yours he said, something about 'He' told him to tell me to give to you. What is it?" I asked her.

Tears rushed down her face as she smiled, "It's alae, my alae."

"Your wings?" Hadrian questioned.

"I have only met a few who earned them back." she said as she walked over and reached out with a shaky hand. She slowly touched the chain and lift it up out of the palm of my hand. Right in my face the pearl changed from a ball shape to a pair of wings. She smiled at me, "Thank you for giving this to me."

"Is it true? This is your wings?" I asked. 

"It's been so long." she said. "Yes, it is. I can't believe this" She brought the necklace to her mouth and whispered, "Thank you God, so much. I'm forever grateful for this. I promise not to ever be selfish again. Thank you." she said.

I heard a rip sound and as she took in a sharp breath, long big wheat color wings came out from her back. My eyes widen as I stumbled back, I actually had to look up because that's how high they went, barley missing the ceiling.

I grabbed onto the table next to to support myself since I almost fell. They were as beautiful as you expected wings to on an Angel. They weren't pure white but the soft silky like tan color just looked amazing on her. If she stretched her arms and wings out, her wings would be two times bigger. 

"They're so heavy." she said but giggled. "Thanks Eric. . .Nevaeh, I love you." she said as she stepped to me and cupped my face in her hands. "I only want happiness for you. "

"You know what makes me happy." I said and she frowned. "Aracelia. . .mom, please. Hadrian isn't evil, I would have never been able to bring that to you if he hadn't paid for my visit.  Even dad can see how much Hadrian cares about me."

"Say it again." she said. "Say 'mom' again."

I smiled, "Mom. He pointed out how I have two mom's who love and would do anything for me. You my mother, Sierra my mom. So please trust me, trust that I'm smart enough to be in a relationship even if he's a little different."

"If you keep us apart, it'll only make us want to be together more." Hadrian said and Aracelia mouth twitched. "We'll find a way to be together but I'm sure Nevaeh would prefer you--both of your acceptance. It means a lot to her."

Aracelia looked down at the ground for a moment, "I could kill you right now if I wanted." Aracelia said and my eyes widen. She than sighed and lifted her shoulders, her wings being pulled back into her body.  She turned around and the back of her green blouse was two slit and I saw her scars. "But for the sake of my daughter I wont. I don't like you, but there is something. . .I guess. Hurt my baby though, I'll make sure your death is slow and painful.  You're lucky I care about my daughter happiness than doing what is right. If I was still up in Heaven I would be force to kill you. This is a big step for me,  Hadrian, don't make me regret it."

"I would jump in front of a knife for her. Take a bullet. I'm the last person you should worry about hurting her." he said.

"I really don't want to leave her alone." Aracelia said. "Carter, God sake, keep a closer eye on her will ya?"

Uncle Carter and I scoffed, "She's as stubborn as her father, don't blame me. They both shouldn't have fallen in love with someone they shouldn't."

+

I zipped my bag and turned when I felt someone come into my room. Hadrian set his bag on the floor and I ran over to him, jumping in his arms and he held me up. I kissed him with a big smile, "I can't believe you're coming with us."

"I'm already screwed, why don't be there with you." he said. "I'm haven't been a good fights in awhile. One rule, I won't kill any of them. Get them down, you do the rest. Their blood won't be on my hands."

"Sounds fine to me." I said and I couldn't help but giggle. "I can't believe this is happening, I can't believe my family knows. It's going to feel good not sneaking out."

"It is." he said. "So what happens now?"

"We leave on the morning. Uncle Carter is looking for a new priest who will give us our next job since we're sure Dante won't be so pleased to see us." I said.

"Good radiance." he said and I chuckled. "Hmm, a Hunter who is a Demon. I only heard about a few who has done that."

"What happened to them?" I asked. 

"Not sure, I don't want to know though." he said. "You're uncle despises me."

"He'll warm up to you. . .I hope." I said. "There's one thing I want to do though before we leave." I said and he smirked as before kissing my neck. I put my hand on his shoulders and pulled him away, "No. I mean, I have to find that guy from the other night from the jazz club. He knows something."

"Huh?" he asked. "Why in He'll would you want to do that?"

"Hadrian, he knows something. He said 'Nellie just like her', that didn't make you curious because it sure did for me."

He sighed heavily,  "Nevaeh,"

"Please," I said. I pouted my bottom lip and widen my eyes, "This is very important to me, what if she is like me? I haven't met anyone like me before, do you know how alone that makes me feel?"

"Don't do that." he said and I made my bottom lip tremble and I looked down at my shirt. I sniffle my nose and he groaned, "Fine, we can go back. This isn't going to be pretty though. The man thinks I killed his sister."

"I'll go in then." I said and kissed him. "Thank you, Hadrian. This is really important to me."