When Nikki opened her eyes it was to an array of anxious faces. Two pairs of eyes stared intently at her and a cold hand rested on her forehead. She was slumped against Josh and he had his arm tightly around her.

"Are you okay?"

"What happened?"

"Was it them again?"

She felt Zeke push in to her mind as Sam and Josh hurled a barrage of questions at her. Without thinking, she reached out and took Sam's hand whilst offering her other to Josh. As soon as she had them she quietened their minds before showing them exactly what she'd dreamt.

"She was right, I couldn't sense you." Zeke hissed.

Nikki sighed. "But can I trust her?"

The van fell silent as everyone looked around, each asking the same question with their eyes.

"Do we have any reason not to?" Sam asked. "I mean, they have helped you so far. Perhaps it really was just a test to see if they could trust you? After all, and I mean no disrespect or offence, but you are, or rather were, a demon of Latébris, our enemy."

Josh shot out an arm and punched Sam's thigh, unimpressed with his choice of words.

"Again," Sam ground out through gritted teeth, "no offence!"

"I don't know." Nikki sighed, exhausted from her sleep. "I don't know who to trust anymore, I've been misled so easily before."

Her mind drifted back to David, the ex-Charge now follower of Unus, who had promised her the truth. A small part of her acknowledge that what he'd actually told her had been the truth but lying by omission still counted in her book.

"How can we be sure she's even a Dantisticia? As far as we know it could be a demon in disguise." Josh offered.

Sam shrugged, sitting down heavily and stretching his legs out in front of him. His hands rubbed his face and Nikki noticed how tired he looked.

"It's happening again. I'm being sucked back in." She stared unseeing in to the distance and wracked her brain for any way out of the new mess she'd become entangled in. "I thought I'd done my bit, why are they trying to use me all over again?"

"Because of your power--" Sam began.

"But it's not even that strong any more. There are far deadlier demons out there."

Once again the van became oppressive in the heavy silence that followed until an uncomfortable looking Ezekius sat himself by the doors and cleared his throat.

"You're not as weak as you think, not anymore.  Can you not feel it? It's back and this time I fear it's even stronger."

Simultaneously, Nikki's blood ran cold as a flash of searing heat passed through her veins. Automatically she held her hands out in front of her and there is was, the undeniable flame licking at her skin, only it was no longer a pale watery blue but rather a strong cobalt colour that shimmered hypnotically.

"But ..." Turning her hands over, Nikki closed her eyes and followed the warmth through her body. It was true, it seeped through her veins, coming alive as if it had only lain dormant for the last few years. "How is this possible?"

"Think back to your dream. When Materdúe touched you, you felt it then. If I had to guess I would surmise that her spark lit the dying embers of your gift and with the added fuel of Elizabeth's blood it has re-awoken your fire." Ezekius cast his face downwards and sighed heavily. "As for the question circling in your mind, I believe they have chosen you for many reasons. First they recognise your potential. Get this right and they really could end the war through you. Your power is growing and I believe that soon it will surpass any even they've seen before. And as a demon it's easier for you to blend in. It's far easier for you than say a Charge or a Guardian. Hidden within the confines of your cloak, most of our kind would hardly give you a second glance. But more importantly, you're a demon with humanity. And it's growing everyday. You're changing, it's subtle but I see it. You have the hopeful glint back in your eye. It's something very distinctive of the human race. Ending their life is easy but dowsing their hope is far more difficult that you'd imagine."

His companions listened hungrily, devouring his words with a greedy expectation.

"I think the Powers of their world," he nodded at Sam and Josh, "wanted to ensure your loyalty so they gave you that little test. Now you have passed they intend to finish what you stared at Vidaru."

Her heart felt like it was being dragged to her shoes as Nikki contemplated how, if Zeke was right, this would affect her. Everything would change.

But if there were no more demons then surely that must mean an end to her. And what would happen to the demons? Would their worlds close? Would they be sent back to where they came? If that was so, then she was looking at certain death or a lifetime of torture. And not just her, Zeke too.  She could just imagine what would happen if they set foot back in Latébris.

"They would keep us alive and perform as many acts of torture as they could think of." Zeke muttered quietly, his face still downturned.

Josh sat up a little, looking from Nikki to Ezekius. "What?"

Swallowing down the nervous butterflies that had erupted within her stomach Nikki repeated her thoughts out loud.

Josh shook his head, "But we can't know what will happen if you choose to follow Materdúe's instructions. We don't know what will happen to those demons here on earth, or the Guardians. Perhaps they'll simply stay. I can't imagine the demon population would last all that long against the Guardians if that were the case."

Nikki's eyes flicked to his. He looked back, both of their gazes laced with doubt and uncertainly.

"But to end the war..." Ezekius spoke with a wistful tone Nikki had never heard from him and it caught her attention. She stared as he raised his head and looked back through empty sockets. "Think how many human lives would be saved. The impact it would have on your world." Ezekius sighed. "I'm not sure you have a choice, Nikki. The possibility alone is worth laying down our lives."

Never before had Nikki seen such tenderness for the human race from her demon brother. Her heart throbbed painfully as she watched him battle his emotions and plead his case.

"If there is even the slightest chance that you could end this atrocity then surely it is your duty to try. This is not a time for selfishness, this is a time for self sacrifice." His rasping voice hitched as he attempted to swallow down his emotions. "Nikki. I would have moved heaven, hell, Mortemb and Latébris to spare you the misery I have watched you endure ... "

His words quietened as he turned his face away. He had said his piece.

But what will it mean for me? What will happen to me? Haven't I suffered enough? Why do they insist on picking on me?

Dropping her head to her hands, Nikki closed her eyes and sank deep within her bitter thoughts.  And the more she mulled over her situation the angrier she became. Slamming down her fist a small lick of fire burst from the impact. It shot up and illuminated the small space with a hot, orange glow.

"They've backed me into a corner." Nikki moaned. "They're making out that they're giving me a choice but they're not. Yet again I've been played like the fool I am." Her rage died as anger gave way to acceptance and she slumped back. "You're right." She shrugged, acknowledging Ezekius. "How can I say no knowing that there's a possibility I could end this."

He shook his head sadly. "You can't but you won't be on your own. No matter what happens I'll be by your side. I will always be with you."

Josh made to move, wanting to pull Nikki into his lap and comfort her, but he halted when Sam subtly lifted his hand and shook his head. Instead he sat back awkwardly as Nikki rose and sought comfort with her demon. Josh watched with his jaw clenched tight as she crawled next to him and rested her head against his shoulder.

"C'mon, we've been sat outside too long, time to head in." Sam made his way to the front of the van and for the first time Nikki noticed they were back at their hotel.

"You go, we will join you shortly." Ezekius murmured softly. "Oh and Guardian," both Sam and Josh turned expectantly, "I feel it would be most constructive if I shared your room and we allowed Nikki the comfort of Josh."

Heat flushed Nikki's cheeks. Sometimes Zeke's grasp of tact left much to be desired. But Sam was unfazed; with a knowing chuckle he nodded.

"Yeah sure, whatever."

"I'll see you upstairs." Josh said softly, his eyes finding Nikki's and shining brightly. Whilst he didn't show it directly, he was obviously more than happy with the new sleeping arrangements.

"Zeke!" As the doors closed Nikki turned on her companion. "Jesus, sometimes you have no--"

"This could be your last chance to be alone with him, Nikki. I'm aware of your embarrassment and I apologise but there is little time for self-consciousness. Tomorrow we set out to Dark Entry and we go blind. Who knows what will happen there?"

His chilling words sobered her and she quickly forgot about her earlier humiliation.

"I'm scared."

"I know, and you should be. But strength does not come without weakness. To overcome your impediment you will have to face your fear. The skill comes from acknowledging it without succumbing. A certain amount of trepidation will serve you well, with arrogance comes mistakes, as the Prophets and Malus have both found out to their detriment. But don't let your fear guide you."

Nikki sighed. "Life is so unfair."

Ezekius straightened up before he pushed her away. "And now you sound like a petulant child. Yes life is unfair but it is what you make of it. This is far from the existence I imagined when I first accepted my duties, I was assured riches and respect beyond my comprehension, and yet I find myself living like a sewer rat. However, I cannot regret how we came to be because I have gained much from having so little. I have watched you grow and flourish and whilst you do not see it in yourself, I see a great leader and warrior, a fearsome enemy for all who stand to oppose you. But more than that, I now see the hope of a new beginning for mankind. One that is infinitely safer. Don't surrender to your pessimism, rather, see the good and worthwhile and follow that. Greatness is not something achieved by running from your responsibilities. It is earned by defeating those difficulties put in front of you." He paused and tilted his head. "I imagine this to be how a parent experiences a child as it grows." A weak smile crossed his thin lips and exposed his black teeth - an image that once would have sent a shudder of terror down Nikki's spine however now it bathed her in a familiar comfort that eased her troubled mind.

She returned his gesture before throwing herself at him, clinging on with all her strength. Opening up her mind, she inhaled before pushing her overpowering emotions on to her companion. All the gratitude and love, respect and affection she held for the demon she considered her guide and best friend, flowed from her and into him as she showed him the only way she could what he truly meant to her. After a moment he fell back gasping for air. Nikki carefully extracted herself and slowly stood up. It had been impulsive and had drained her but she felt the need to show him how she felt.

With his mouth gaping, Ezekius waved his hand. "Leave me, go to your Guardian and spend what time is left with him."

Although his tone was harsh, Nikki knew he meant nothing by it. She had caught him off guard and her actions had physically winded him. She doubted he had ever experienced such human emotions quite so intense but she couldn't regret what she had done. For years she'd been broken and little by little he had pieced her back together. He'd turned his back on his own race in favour of her and then he'd loved her when no one else could. Although Josh held her heart, Ezekius held a large place in it, one that would never be taken from him.

"I love you Zeke," she whispered before hopping out of the van and leaving the demon to recover in peace.

He wouldn't approve of such a display of affection and he'd be somewhat standoffish with her for the next day or two, but Nikki knew, deep down, that the part of him which was embracing humanity would be thankful she'd given him this gift. Besides, who knew what the future held? This was not the time for holding back, the clock was ticking and this time she would do things right.