Josh muscles tightened as Sam's voice echoed through his frantic mind.

"We stay!" he growled and Josh could almost picture his thunderous glare.

Tightening his grip on Joanne's hand he was torn. The connection with his new Charge was growing stronger and the need to keep her away from the oncoming danger was warring with his urgency to get back to Nikki. He spat out a curse. This was a no win situation. 

They ran through the sleeping town, crossing deserted roads and passing blacked out windows but they were moving far too slow for Josh's liking. He knew without Ezekius, Joanne and Nate holding him back, he would have reached the church by now.

"What if they aren't lying? What about Nate and Joanne?" he worried, forgetting that Ezekius could hear his thoughts.

"This is no rouse, Guardian. The danger is very real, for us all." Ezekius retorted.

Gritting his teeth, Josh risked a backward glance at the woman he was dragging. Her large eyes were open wide in fear and her bottom lip quivered as she tried to hold back her tears.

This isn't going to work. I can't put her in danger.

In his mind he heard Nikki as clearly as if she were by his side.

"Meet us at the house. Keep yourselves and your Charges safe." Nikki begged, pushing an image of an old abandoned house in to their collective psyche. But the sound of her voice only intensified his need to be with Nikki. Repeating his earlier curse, he stopped running, turning to catch Joanne as she barrelled in to him.

"This is no good. I can't be pulled in two directions without someone getting hurt! Sam, you and Ezekius take Joanne and Nate to the house and I'll help Nikki. I have to be with Nikki but I can't endanger Joanne."

Josh looked down into her green eyes, a reassuring smile spreading unconsciously across his face.

"That won't work, it's after me too. Our only option is to lure it away--" Ezekius began.

Josh glared at the demon. "I'm not leaving her again!"

Watching through Ezekius' eyes, Nikki inhaled, willing her racing heart to steady. Unable to stand Josh's impossible choice she made a rash decision.

"You won't have to, hold on, we're coming to you."

She knew Ezekius would protest and he was right, but so was Sam. They had to work together instead of pulling in the opposite direction. Jerking her head, she motioned to Sam that it was time to go, and pulled her arm from him.

"Zeke, don't argue just listen. We need to make this decision together and we need to hurry. Standing arguing on a corner is not helping and time is running out. Get yourself to Canon Street and wait for us there."

"This is unwise, Nikki, the hunter is closing in and you're leading it straight to them." Ezekius answered, leading his small group to the rendezvous point.

"If we're quick it'll be okay. I want Sam to take the two Charges to the house and Josh can come with us. If we're smart we can keep him hidden."

"And if we're not?"

"That's not an option, besides, how often have you told me to let him back in? You finally got your wish so help me keep them safe."

Even across the distance, Ezekius could sense the renewed determination in Nikki. It lightened his mood and he allowed a small smile to break free.

She was like a daughter to him; he had watched her grow from a chubby infant into the beautiful young woman Josh had met. He had observed with more than a little reserve as she'd fallen in love with her Guardian and he had stood protectively over her when she had shed her humanity and died. His attachment to her was a very human thing but it was one he cherished. He was also very aware that it occasionally clouded his judgement and he feared that this was one such case. His smile faltered.

"Very well but hurry," he conceded.

Nikki glanced behind, looking for Sam who ran with his gaze glued to her, in case she decided to try anything. Extending her arm she grabbed his hand and tugged him frantically forward.

"Quick! We've got to be faster."

He didn't argue, instead he pushed his body on and gripped hold of Nikki. A few moments later they breathlessly arrived at the rendezvous point where Josh and Zeke were waiting.

"We must not linger." Ezekius advised glancing fearfully up to the heavens.

"What exactly are we running from?"  Sam asked, his own eyes sceptically sweeping the sky.

Ezekius dipped his head and turned from Josh, Joanne and Nate. Speaking in hushed tones he rushed to explain to Sam. "Hunters. They track nomads such as Nikki and I and feed off our energy. They are not visable to the human eye and for reasons we are yet to uncover, they don't bother with them unless the human is able to see them. It would appear that if your Charges have enough information, they will be able to see the Hunter, which in turn makes them fair game."

"And what about Guardians?" Sam's voice was low as he glanced quickly at Josh.

"The same as the humans. There is every chance you now know too much so I suggest you run."

As Exekius spoke, Josh reached out and snagged Nikki's hand, enabling him to hear every word.

"What does it look like?" Josh asked quietly.

Ezekius swallowed nervously. "It's close, we're too late."

Instinctively Nikki turned, moving swiftly from Josh to her demon brother. Sam and Josh fell back, drawing close to their Charges as their heads whipped around in a frantic search for the beast descending upon them.

"I can feel it Zeke, we need to run." Nikki turned, pinning both Guardian's with a look of uncertainty. With a final shake of her head, she pointed towards the end of the street. There was nothing more she could do but try and lead them to safety.

They broke into an uncertain jog, keeping their eyes peeled whilst following Nikki through the maze of streets lined with long forgotten industrial buildings.

"It's getting closer." Nikki picked up her pace. Her flesh tingled and warmed, as if the sun had broken through a cloud covering on a hot sunny day. "If it strikes, take them to the house and I will try and draw it back to the church."

"Josh won't want to leave you."

Nikki didn't have to turn to know that he wouldn't have a choice. She'd watched as he'd grabbed the red head's hand and pulled her along side him forcibly. It was obvious his calling had overthrown any other emotions and was now controlling his actions.

"Yes he will. He'll have to."

From the night sky a shriek rang out over the town. It echoed through the empty streets, taunting the demons it was chasing. The Hunter was out there and it wanted to let them know the game was on.

"What the hell was that?" Josh muttered, his wide eyes darting around the street.

"You heard that too?" Sam breathed unable to disguise his nerves.

"Heard what? Why are we running?" The younger man sprinting beside Sam looked around in confusion.

"The Humans are safe, they cannot hear it," Zeke murmured with relief.

"Are they? There's no knowing what it'll do to get to the four of us, we need to get them inside now."

"The house is up ahead, take them there, I'll try--" Ezekius froze mid sentence and step.

Walking towards them from the gates of the house and emerging from the protective darkness, their enemy appeared. The shredded cloak Ezekius had learned to fear flapped noiselessly around the skinny ankles of the emaciated body stalking towards its prey.

"We're too late," he whispered.

No! Nikki shook her head. Backing up she found Josh and Sam, both of whom were roughly shoving their Charges behind them.

"Is that... ?" Sam swallowed.

In answer the approaching figure tilted back its head and let out a blood curdling scream, deafening both the demons and the Guardians. The two human's stood behind their protectors searching the street blindly for any sign of the impending danger.

"Sam?" Nate called softly.

"What's happening?" Joanne whispered.

"It's okay, everything's fine, we just need to ah--" Josh glanced at Sam for help.

"There's a slight situation, a demon, but you can't see it--"

"What?" Nate began to turn in circles, looking around frantically.

"Hey it's fine, if you can't see it, the demon can't see you. You two are fine, we just need to keep you out of its way."

Taking up position in front of the group Nikki reached behind, waiting for their warm skin to touch hers. With her eyes glued to the assassin she held her breath and willed her heart to calm.

"It will be fine, she wants us not you. Take your Charges to the gate behind us and cut through the car park. You'll have to scale the wall. On the other side there's a small embankment. Drop down and follow it to the stone pillar, you'll have to cross the road at that point but you'll be fine. Zeke and I will lure it  down that side street," Nikki nodded to her left, "and double back around. If we're quick we can lose it, if not..." Nikki faltered, concentrating hard on the figure approaching them.

"What? What happens if you can't lose it?" Josh demanded.

"Nikki will destroy her." Zeke answered confidently.

"You can do that?" Sam asked, taking his eyes off the Hunter to stare at Nikki.

With a resigned sigh Nikki nodded slowly. "It's possible. If it comes to it I'll kill it but I need you to stay away. No matter what happens, you can't get involved."

"I don't understand, if you can defeat it why are we running?" Josh squeezed Nikki's hand as he spoke.

Nikki smiled ruefully, wanting desperately to turn and face him but she knew better than to turn her back on her enemy.

"Because I'm not one hundred percent sure I can."

"But you just said-"

"I know what I said Sam, please, just trust that I'll keep you safe but I need to concentrate so, please. Run!" 

Nikki and Ezekius broke free, taking off at full speed towards what they hoped would be their escape route. They knew the only way they could lose the creature was to find another unsuspecting demon to give it.

"Did they run?"

"I'm unsure, but your plan worked, it's ignoring them in favour of us."

Nikki confirmed Ezekius' words with a swift glance over her shoulder just in time to catch sight of the creature taking flight.  The delicate shrouded figure of the Hunter spread its vast bony wings and beat them once. As its body rose into the sky it opened its mouth and cried a warning to its prey.

"Zeke this won't work, it's already gaining on us." 

"We need to get back to the house, the gardens are overgrown and will offer you the necessary cover you will need for your attack."

"Attack? Attack? Zeke you saw what happened last time, besides which, Josh is at the house, I can't put him--"

Before Nikki could finish, the Hunter swooped, landing gracefully in front of the demons with its terrifying, unnatural wings out stretched. As it turned, the tips of the limbs brushed the high walls bordering the roadside.

Up close it was clear that this one was female and hungry. Her black eyes glared and her pale mouth opened to reveal the deadly black fangs adorning her jaws. The talons at the end of her fingers drummed against the shabby cloak covering her frail, haggard body.

Again her mouth opened and her horrifying wail filed the street.

Backing away, Ezekius tugged on Nikki's arm. "We have little choice now, child. She is just toying with us. Run or fight, which is it to be?"

"I--"

"Run!" Ezekius instructed, grabbing Nikki's hand and dragging her along side him. "When we get to the house, you take the east side and I'll go west."

With her heart pounding in her ears Nikki nodded. She knew where this was heading and it wouldn't end well.

"If it goes wrong, Zeke," she glanced at her companion as they tore down the street, "if this is it, then I want you to promise you'll show him everything. Make sure he understands that life was nothing without--"

"Enough! You're stronger than her, you have to be, you know she won't stop at us if she sees them, you have to finish her."

Nikki burned as Ezekius' words sank in. He had duped her and she'd been so preoccupied with  thoughts of Josh, she hadn't noticed.

"You... !"

A sly grin crossed the demons thin lips. "You can do this Nikki, you need this. Time is running out and you need her blood to fully heal."

The old abandoned house came into full view, the turrets rising high in to the sky and although missing most of their slate covering, they still stood proud. Almost all of the windowpanes were empty but the few that hung stubbornly on to their glass were far too grimy to see through. Most of the town's inhabitants avoided the house, superstition and fear keeping them away from the gnarled building, but that only added to the appeal for Nikki. For her the house symbolised everything she felt about herself. Forgotten, ruined and feared. And now, protection for Josh.

As she thought about his smiling face she was struck by clarity. She didn't want the Hunter anywhere near him so what the hell was she doing leading it straight back here?

"Did you do it? Did you kill it?" From the gateway of the house Sam rushed out to greet them. He searched their faces expectantly, his expression turning to understanding as they emerged from the shadows.

"Get inside!" Zeke hissed, but it was too late.

Once again the Hunter emerged from the shadows, this time with the hood of her cloak down, revealing her horrifically emaciated face. She flashed her teeth at the demons and hissed at the back of her throat, opening her mouth wide and tossing her head back. The noise sent a tremor of dismay through Nikki but she couldn't afford to let fear control her now.

"Tell him to stay back, no matter what happens. And Zeke, get ready to move them."

"You can do this Nikki."

"Ezekius?" Sam's voiced shook as he backed away form the Hunter.

"Nikki knows what she's doing, It's okay Sam."

A noise unlike any Nikki had heard before ripped from the Hunter. It called out loud; it's frail body shaking with the almighty exertion. Suddenly it took flight, rising high into the air and circling above them.

"What's it doing?" Sam shouted.

"What the hell is she doing?" Nikki panicked, taking her eyes form the predator to look at Zeke. "I don't understand."

The last two Hunters had followed a predictable pattern, one that was easy to understand, but this one had other ideas.

"Get inside!" Ezekius called to Sam. "Whatever is happening let's use it to our advantage."

Sam sprinted to the door but before he reached the front steps, the creature dove out of the heavens and landed firmly in his way. In her crouched position, she appraised him, tipping her head to the side and staring deep into his soul.

Instinctively, Nikki ran forward. She refused to let Sam get hurt by the monster chasing her. But as she moved she noted the hunter had dropped its guard. The wings, so often used as weapons, were shrinking behind her back, being pulled down beneath the dismal cloak surrounding it.

"What the...?" Nikki paused with her muscles tensed and ready to fight if needed. "Zeke?"

However Ezekius was as confounded by the creatures behaviour as she was. Holding her breath Nikki watched intently, but the Hunter was progressively backing off. When the wings were fully hidden she stood, slowly stretching out a bony hand and turning her head away. As she moved, Nikki noted something glinting in the Hunters eye but before she could get a good look, it sprang in to the air and flew away.

Regaining her senses, Nikki grabbed Sam and bundled him up the stairs. Throwing him through the door, she slammed it shut before leaping down the steps to race back to the gate.

She searched the sky, running out into the open street and checking the entire perimeter of the house, but it seemed that the hunter really had gone.

"What the hell?"

Joining her, Ezekius shrugged. "I do not know what caused the Hunter to flee, but as dawn is fast approaching may I suggest we take shelter in the house and determine our next move. I'm quite sure that Josh and Sam have more questions and I believe that now, we have some of our own."

"We do?"

"Yes, I don't believe that was the first time Sam has met a Hunter..."