[center][h1]Laboratory Errand Run [/h1]

[h2][b]Characters:[/b] Damon & Juan & Zi 

[b]Location:[/b] Safe house       
[b]Time:[/b] Morning-Midday [/h2]

Contributors:[@Lucius Cypher], [@Wind Wild] and [@Fallenreaper][/center]

On stepping outside, the sunlight invaded his vision with its harsh light causing Juan to flinch. It hurt worse than his still aching body as his left hand raised to shield his eyes, some white gauze still wrapped about his forearm. The bloodied, stained ribbon trailed across his body where the opposite end was bunched up into his palm. Juan's teeth gritted at the light scorching his retinas as it dulled, giving him relief finally and cleared his blurry vision. Inhaling a breath, he shoved off from the pouch steps onto the path leading up to the safe house while his hand finished unbinding his now mended wounds. He seemed to had a bit of his old swagger back when he waltz right up to the metal trash can and plopped the crumbled up rag right in. It gave a soft beep shifting the lid just in time as light flared deep inside and smoke rose, his magic turning the rag to ashes within.

Juan smirked a little, enjoying the display.

Reaching the end of the sidewalk, the man paused and placed his hands on his hips casually before he turned. His lips flashed Damon a smirk on spotting the shape shifter perched on the roof making him shake his head. They were supposed to be in hiding and though the roof gave a vantage point, it provided very little cover against any overly curious eyes. Sighing at the younger demon's antics, Juan's arms crossed over his chest causing his body to tense at the tenderness flooding his nerves. Still he gritted and bore it for now just to speak. “Are you going to stay up there all day, I thought you wanted to go shopping with me after all?” 

Looking down from his roost Damon saw Juan. Looked like his business with Emmet and Kasadin was finished. He coyly asked Damon if he was just going to sit up there all day, to which the demon responded by jumping off the roof, bracing his body to absorb the impact like a rubber ball, bouncing up and down until he took the form of a dapper gentleman. Standing to full height Damon tipped his hat at Juan. [b]“Lead the way, Sladky.”[/b] Damon even spawned a car for them, though it used up most of what was left of his mass. He’d have to consume it again to recycle mass, or just eat someone elses car later. 

Juan eyed Damon’s image, his sight ran up and down for a moment to take it into memory. He looked like some over dressed, rich college demon with a delightful playboy expression and a face to match. It made the darker skinned demon smirk in enjoyment. Out of all the shapeshifter’s forms, this one wasn’t too bad looking causing the man to nod his agreement at the words. “I’ll drive then, though it shouldn’t take too much time to get there.” 

Pulling his slender body about the hard, newish exterior where his hand glided across the smooth outside until he reached the driver seat. His hand snaked out then jerked open the car door. It hissed and popped forward, allowing him to duck inside easily. Once he slid his ass into the artificial seats, his hand started the ignition sending the car to purr to life while his darker eyes waited for Damon to hop in. When the shapeshifter pulled in, Juan rolled out. 

His hands on the wheels and eyes on the streets, he listened for Damon to start a conversation he knew was coming. In the back scene when seen through the windows, cars slide in various speeds, most demonic, as early morning traffic started to swell into afternoon commutes. They zipped by without a care in the world and few tried to easily outstripe Juan, aiming to cut into the spot ahead. One thing about Kenan traffic was that it is hellish to work in. 

“Well? I know you’re itching to ask something, it’s plastered on your cute face.” Juan finally asked at last.    
 
Letting out a sigh Damon figured now was as good as ever. He didn’t think he’d get a straight answer, or the truth for that matter, but better than being left in the dark. [b]”You know that we both have our secrets, and we do our part not to get involved more than we need to. I’ve worked with you long enough to know that you got skeletons in your closet and it’s best not to ask. But when we escaped from Darius’s mansion that… Thing. The sentient darkness or whatever. Something tells me this wasn’t just snatching back your science project.”[/b]

From what little Damon gleaned from Juan back at the hideout, Emmet wasn’t family, but something that Juan had been working with for a while. From the way he talked about Emmet the boy seemed more like a living experimental weapon, which may be what Emmet is to Juan. If it was just that than Damon didn’t need to know more; he’s met his fair share of science-like figures who raise kids with new magics or powers. Damon often ate them to figure out how they do it, but aside from that it wasn’t his business to stop them unless someone pays him. But it wasn’t that simple. That thing that Damon and Juan confronted… It wasn’t just a powerful demon. He’s met plenty of them. Couldn’t always fight back, but they didn’t invoke the same feeling Damon had with that demon. Something about him said that he had more power than just the ability to plaster Damon against the ground. That’s when he realized, digging through his collective  memories, what made him freak out so badly.

[b]”Why was one of Hell’s Warden doing at Darius’s place? More importantly, what does Emmet have to do with Darius in the first place?”[/b] 

Juan’s spine shivered when Damon mentioned the thing back at Darius’ mansion, his mind toyed with the memory frozen in his mind. He could almost feel the chill filling him again and icing over his strength while his eyes flickered over the street’s busy scene. Idly he rounded a corner as he continued on, his mentally carefully chose his words in his next response and his hand gently navigated the road. He noticed the sun already started into the smog filled sky over the skyscrapers, hitting some time between midday and noon, while to the northern section it seemed some clouds had started to build and grey into storms. 

“I can’t honestly tell you Damon as that’s the first time I’ve seen anything like what we saw back there. I don’t know who, what or how that…[i]thing[/i] relates to Darius or if they know each other, personally I hope neither one of us cross its path again for the rest of our lives. As for Emmet, that’s slightly complicated though I don’t fully understand it myself why Darius has such a hard on for the boy. He’s cute, but I’ve seen better looking in my time though I suspect it has something to do with the fact Olivia’s in the Fox’s care.” Juan stated, continuing, his arm steady while his eyes darted back to Damon. “Simply put, the Matthews are the last generation budding from a man named Isaac Tyson, patient zero. A man who ended up dying in Judas’ war and was prematurely released during its earlier stages, sole survivor of my experiments. If Emmet had died because of Darius’ stupidity, my research ends, including discovering if my research had any impact. With the reaction I saw from Emmet it seems it takes another set of factors to bring it fruition... though I doubt Kasian will approve of it.” 

His eyes returned to the street while he seemed lost in memories. “ I discovered the family line had developed magical abilities that stemmed from their ancestor and afterwards, I decide to study them and saw every generation had been employed by Darius. How or why is something I’m still hazy on the details myself.” 

[b]”Hmm. Sounds like you aren’t the only one interested in their power then.”[/b] Damon said. This was a lot of information to take in, and not much of it Damon could make sense of even after Juan told him. More so since Damon still doesn’t know why Juan is interested in these experiments, though perhaps it would be for the same reason Damon might be; power. Against whom or for what, Damon aimed to figure out. [b]”Which really begs to question the why of it all. Why Emmet, why the Matthews in the first place? And I know that this isn’t just a simple fancy of yours, otherwise you could have called me in. If it’s an issue of lineage or experimentation, you know my abilities. Making kids is easy for me, heck if you let me consume Emmet I could produce potentially infinite amount of his bodies for experiments. And if it’s a matter of life… Well to be frank there’s a lot of ways to cheat death nowadays. I know a few myself, not that I can apply them. So… What do you intend to do with this boy Juan?”[/b]

The demon couldn’t say he knew Juan that well. They both kept their secrets from each other, and respect that. But ever since that demon showed up Damon had the sneaking suspicion that they have all been marked, for whatever reason. And the more he knew the better Damon could prepare himself and everyone else for another chance encounter. Plus this was more entertaining than being a vagrant. Damon’s phone vibrated in his body, but he put it on hold.
Juan was silent for several moments. His eyes returned to the front, his hand steadying the wheel while avoiding the chance of collisions and let the quiet flood the car in his thoughtfulness. In the back of his mind, he was worried about what the demon said. Mostly if it was true and if it was, things would became extremely more difficult in the coming future. Emmet's connections, useful for keeping him alive, had become harmful as hinders to his current work. This wouldn't do at all. He took a large breath, letting the breath fill and extend, then held it for several seconds before releasing.

“Isn't odd how a series of events can open one's eyes to things they failed to see in the first place?” Juan began slowly, his voice twisting in bitter anger. “The human race is fragile compared to the angels and demons, something I don't think even you would argue. Even humans with magic can pale in comparison with what demons or angels natural traits are able to do. For demons, they are used as food, breeding, toys or worse while angels see them in a far worse light. They can claim they know what's best for the human race, but in the end, it's only for the greater good that they aim for. The masses take greater value over an individual, young or old, in everything. Noble traits save to the life taken and those individuals left behind to mourn it.”

His knuckles tightened on the steering wheel until his black knuckles were ashy white, hearing the memories flood his mind. [i]Daddy...[/i] His body flinched visibly and his teeth grinding silently against the sickly sensation filling his mouth but his eyes stared forward, resisting the depression flooding his soul. All his reasons for this was lost in the past and he sacrificed some much, from his humanity to his very existence, leaving him more of a hollow shell now. He wasn't even human anymore.

“It's a bit more complicated than that. You can duplicate many things Damon, this I won't deny, but those bodies would've been useless to me. They would've lacked a soul, something no one can replicate or create, unless you're a God, Damon. Besides, while my goal was power, it was in a much different sense. It wasn't to create new race...It was to improve an already existing one, humans, through artificial evolution.” Juan stated flatly, continually and observing Damon's reaction outside his vision corner. “I aimed to do this by rewriting a human's soul and enabling them to grow beyond their established role below demons and angel. I've experimented on numerous humans and only one managed to survive. I don't know why and when he was released, I tried the same process he lived through on many others and I ended up with corpses again. Even attempted traits on subjects as close as possible to Isaac, and it still didn't work. When I found the blood line again, I wasn't certain if the trait was inherited until some of the members began to display unusual traits. Something that made me believed I had succeed possibly. I've already tried several times to produce subject zero and failed, without fully studying Emmet I can't tell exactly what happened to cause it. That’s main reason we're heading to my lab.”


Juan purposely didn't answer Damon's last question, mainly because he, himself, was unsure of the answer. He wasn't even sure of the extend or way Emmet had been altered, save something had happened. This made things trickier. He intended to gather some additional notes and possibly tools to study the boy, faintly hopeful he could learn his success (aided by mother nature) which might allow him to repeat it. Any demonic consumption, which was likely what Damon would suggest, was a grey area and a risk Juan wasn’t fully ready to take. Namely because neither of them would have any idea of the immediate effects on either Emmet or Damon. He had always prevent Emmet from being consumed purely because he couldn’t replicate his experiment yet, which now was becoming his greatest regret for the lacking information from it.

Damon quietly let Juan explain himself, noting that he was still avoiding the “Why”. Improving humanity was noble and all, but there was more… Efficient ways to go about that. He wouldn’t say it outloud, but if Emmet is the last of Juan’s experiments it was a lost cause; if everything banked on his survival, with no ability to replicate beyond very special circumstances, Juan’s dream of improving humanity hand by a thread. Still, if there was one thing Damon knew about humans, it was that they were capable of anything. Juan may not be human anymore, but he was (Or at least looks like one), and that ambition would lead him to glory. Hopefully.

[b]”Heh. Ya know, you’re not the only one who believes humans are… Beneath us.”[/b] He was referring to both their nature as demons, or in Juan’s case a chimera of some sort. [b]”And I’ll admit myself they have a lot of improvement to make. But they have potential. So much exponential potential it’s not even funny. Demons like me… We are formed, I think, by the imagination and cruelties of human. Or angels. And even angels are but mere servants of a higher power, one that even they cannot discern. Makes them irritating as hell. Humans however… They aren’t limited like that. Humans can become demons, or angels, or a mix of the two. But we can’t become human. No matter how I look or what I do, I’m always a demon. There’s nothing else I can be. But humanity has options, and not always the ones we give them. So you go on and try to improve humanity if you’d like Juan. One thing's for certain, they don’t need angels or demons to be angels or demons.”[/b]

Damon finished his rant, thinking about what Juan was hiding. Perhaps he doesn’t trust Damon, and for good reason. Such a thing would be useful to him, more so if he ever runs into that shadowy Hell Warden. The constant buzzing of his phone was starting to bother him however. [b]”Sorry Juan, I’m going to take this call right quick… Yo. Hmm? Sorry, can’t say. What did you find out about Olivia so far?”[/b]

Juan was silent, save for his mind. It was buzzing with rebuttals, arguments and accusing thoughts which he knew were not justified despite everything that was said. From Damon’s words, it seemed the demon only saw human’s potential in the fact they could easily become any of the three races, not being powerful on their own. It a point where Damon and his beliefs parted ways, dividing the two far more drastically than likely the demon realized. Juan merely nodded his understanding while he returned his focus to the road, a small piece of data retrieved from memory as he recalled a hazy thought on a human race long ago. Mimics. It was his first hard evidence that humans, the species itself, could actually stand against angels and demons without changing their nature at all. This was the very thing that made him hope he could duplicate the process. Even if he had to alter the procedure based on what he discovered had happened to Emmet. Deep down, Juan knew he was missing something critical but what it was, he didn’t quite understand since Isaac was release before he could investigate it. 

The assistant crept unwilling into his mind causing him to tighten his grip on the steering wheel once again, though his knuckles didn’t turn white. If that bastard hadn’t grown a heart….Thankfully Juan had long ago taken care of the nuisance and never again would he be denied. All other who got into his way would meet the same fate. The thought warmed and calmed his soul, only partly listening to Damon’s conversation should the demon decide to result talking to him.  

[b]”Uh huh. She’s okay then? No trouble at all? I doubt that. Oh, and I got a request for you. If your academy has an archive of some sort, see what the most recent data on Hell is. Why? I need to verify some facts is all. Oh, and also, if you happen to catch word of anything related to Darius, rely it to me, alright? You ought to be careful too. What am I doing? Just some work is all. You know how it is. But still, keep an eye out on that girl… She’s more trouble than her brother I reckon.”[/b]

Damon spoke with his caller for a few minutes exchanging only information, or rather he was given information. Damon was given an up-to-date status on what was going on at the academy, both important to Damon and trivial. If Emmet was related to Olivia, than it wasn’t going to be hard to think that Darius is going to go check on her, more so since he’d have an easier time finding her than they will. And if Emmet knew that Olivia was at the academy now, and if he’s as much of a siscon as Damon thinks he is, than Damon needed to make sure he had a guy on the inside to intercept Emmet if he does something foolish, or at least give Damon a way out if for some reason things get hairy over there. Of course it’s not that Damon trusts Noel entirely either. While the two have had a rather beautiful partnership so far, like everyone else Damon works with he always carefully considers betrayal. The fact that Noel was at the academy now signaled Damon that something major just happened, so Damon can’t grow too reliant on the mortal, else he becomes dependant on him and finds himself in a bad deal. But he had his uses for now so Damon aimed to make the best of it, even if he can’t use it right now.

Hanging up his phone Damon looked back at Juan. He was starting to wonder where they were going. [b]”So, where are we heading anyways? We just passed Wal Mart so I doubt we’re just running errands…”[/b]
Juan mind ripped from his thoughts when he finally registered Damon speaking to him. His eyes, casually, took themselves off the street and looked into the shifter’s direction while absorbing the gist of what it was that Damon had asked. It took several moments until finally he spoke to answer, slightly amused at the Walmart comment, pretty sure getting it there was going to arouse questions and worse, unwanted attention. “We are running errands but it's easier to get them from my Lab located in Kenan, rather than the local Walmart. Unless you like attracting unwanted attention?”

Inside his thoughts, Juan idly wondered if it was a good risk to allow Damon within the building or make him wait outside. Would the risk be worth it in the end? It was a question he was left with no sure answer as his eyes noted the flashing red and yellow warning sign head, causing him to turn off and park the car to the side. When the car had grinded to a stop, Juan's hand whipped out to click the door open where his body followed shortly. His arm reached out before it perched on the roof, his eyes stared hard in surprise at the detour sign blocking their way in. There was a woman's image floated slightly off the background, like a D-3 image, dressed in a police uniform repeating the same gesture over and over. First her right hand placed up in the universal signal for stop while her other waved any approaching cars to the side, theirs the only one around, indicating another way around. Most likely an overly long and unnecessary measure to avoid the area. Something that made Juan's eyes narrow in spite at the inconvenience.

Sighing, he turned his head back to Damon and shrugged. His next comment was more to relieve annoyance by stating the obvious, pausing when his body bent down again and reached a hand at the ignition, turning it off with a jab. “Looks like Darius won't make this easy on us, will he? Well, the warehouse is beyond that sign and I intend to get there, sign or not. Are you coming or rather stick with the car?”


[b]”Hmph. Of course I’m coming. The car too, if need be.”[/b] Damon stuck his hand into the glove compartment, melding into the vehicle. This was once part of his body after all, and he had no trouble becoming one with it. Damon’s voice spoke through the speakers. [b]”Besides that, no sense in leaving good raw material like this. You lead, and I’ll follow after you.”[/b]

A body dropped out of the sky, right in front of Juan, a gust of wind following soon after. Just as fast, Zi jumped back to her feet, her hand grabbing Juan's collar as her eyes bore into his.

“Where is Emmet?” She asked in a deep and dangerous voice, despite being slightly out of breath. 

“By all means. A stalking car won't attracting attention darlin'.” Juan said, his voice sarcastic though playful in his tone. He'll punish Damon later, likely in another romp under the sheets, for his naive thinking. While he was busy watching the shape shifter merge with the car, movement caught his vision's corner suddenly. In a mixture of nerves and instinct, Juan's body whipped about with his hands gathering smoke and summoning his chain blade. His body was set in a combative stance before he realize who exactly had approached him, her voice thick with threat.

Juan chuckled lightly, his weapon dissipating into the air, while his arms crossed over his front. His eyes looked at her with a cheeky look, his figure disarmed and unthreatened by her aggression. “Well, nice to see you too kitty. As for Emmet, well he's currently getting doctored up as we speak. Best he doesn't have any visitors.”

When the new guest arrived, Damon tried to act. She was faster, Juan a bit faster, but Damon didn’t skip a beat. One moment he was a car, the next moment he was also behind the girl, one hand grabbing a large tuff of her hair, and his other hand glowing unnaturally. Magic, it seems. [b]”Hey, nice to meet you too. Name’s Dark Matter. You got business with us?”[/b] As he said that, his other hand glowed with magic as well. It was glowing quite bright, almost blindingly so. Anyone from across town could see this unnatural purple light. [b]”Why don’t we get some tea? Wouldn’t want the locals to start making complaints about public disturbances after all.”[/b]

If she was in the right state of mind, Zi would be intimidated by having two demons trying to intimidate her. As it was, however, she was beyond fear. She had healed the wounds on her shoulder and the lack of pain and presence of fear for Emmet was lighting her nerves on fire. The fact that Damon had grabbed hold of her hair and spoken barely registered over her thumping heart, Juan being the only target of her attention.

"What happened to him? Where is he now? I have to see him!"

Juan sighed. His hand raised to shield himself, fighting to see through the bright, purple light before casting his sight about. If Damon wasn’t careful, Darius’ foxes would start to investigate this little scene and they all were fucked. He was becoming  rather annoyed at the lost, little kitten because he knew she wasn’t going to settle down even with Damon dangerously close. Not until she was reunited with Emmet. It wasn’t a secret deep inside he was glad she hadn’t considered retracing their trail from here back or waiting until they finished, tracking them back to the safe house. That scenario would’ve been a bloody mess. 

It was easy to see Zi wasn’t in a clear thinking mood, her volume made him flinch even as it seemed to add to the scene. Not a good thing. Juan immediately reacted, hoping to rein in some common sense and avoid them all getting killed. If they ended up in Darius’ claws, they all were as good as dead. Emmet included. “Damon will you snuff out that light and knock it off! She’s not settling down and if Darius’ foxes investigate, I don’t need to tell you all us are better off dead. Including Emmet.”

He snapped around to Zi next, narrowing his eyes while he expected Damon to dim his lights. “As for you sweetie, you might want to pipe down so I can tell you. However, if we’re caught, then our dear Emmet won’t survive the damn hour! As for what happened? Darius inquired if Emmet was responsible for his little sister’s kidnapping, which he’s done before, and because of your mending his wounds so quickly, guess what? Darius didn’t believe him. So Emmet attacked Darius which resulted in punishment. After that little stunt, I and my friend,” he gestured to Damon with his right hand, “had to put our sweet ass into a dangerous position in order to get him out. We managed to free him but he was in pretty bad shape which if not for the Dr. M’ve, he wouldn’t have made it past the morning. A matter he still might not since you’re delaying us into getting some critical supplies. So the day’s been peachy dear, from saving Emmet, nearly getting eaten and oh, some insanely powered demon or something appeared...Starts with an Ssay-sis or something like that? Do you recall it, Damon?” 

Juan couldn't recall the name the doctor called out, drawing the creature’s attention, as his mind was so lost in the numbness. He had naturally succumbed before Damon did which didn’t help his memory, frustrating him more when he failed to pronounce it  correctly.  “Anyway, Emmet’s out of Darius’ claws back at a safe house we just left. Currently being looked after by a demon named Doctor Kasain M’ve. Now if you would wait a bit, we'll get some things and head--."

“Don't fuck with me, Juan!” She interrupted him mid-sentence, taking in what he’d said and saving it for later consideration.. “I'm not gonna sit here and wait for you guys to finish your little stroll while Emmet is possibly dying! I'm going there, [i]now.[/i] How do I get in? And don't give me bull, I saw the sigils you had littering your apartment, you can't fool me.”  

“I’ve not had the pleasure of fucking you sweetie, because you know my eyes are set on Emmet alone.” Juan spoke with a honeyed tone he knew would farther piss Zi off. Her hand squeezed and she was close to choking him now.  “I take it you set some off or did you see the damage Darius’ foxes did during my little pit stop? And it’s not a stroll, my dear and I said Emmet [i]was[/i] dying. You really should consider doing more than looking pretty, it will only get you so far. M’ve’s got him stable, but you go peering in there uninvited and the Doc might assume you’re going to stress him out. Now… will you take a breath and actually let me finish all of my sentences or should I just run my errands first before telling you?” 

His hands fell to his hips, his eyes sharpened to silence any further aggression. Despite his calm appearance, even while she held his collar, his body seemed ready to react and take matters up a notch should Zi insist on getting into his face. This was going to be one cat fight Emmet’s little kitty wouldn’t win.   

Zi’s grip eased a little bit as she grit her teeth and glared at him, obviously close to defeat. While worry and anger and helplessness still raged inside her, her brain was slowly catching up on the fact that a very dangerous individual was currently staring down at her, his muscles coiling in response to whatever he was thinking. The self-preservation instinct she so hated was slowly awakening under that stare, though Zi’s fist remained clenched around his collar for a moment longer. A simple truth emerged in her head and tipped the balance: for whatever reason, Juan had kept Emmet safe so far.

Giving up on the idea of meeting Emmet [i]right now[/i] was painful and frustration showed in her gesture as she removed her hand from Juan’s collar. Common sense snapped back in place as she retreated from his personal space and even acknowledged Damon with a long glance. “If you promise to take me to him, I will wait for you.” Of course, if she trusted the men, she would have offered to help. But she didn’t trust them and weak and stupid was what she was going to play at. She had hid her abilities away from Juan for years now, and she didn’t intend to reveal anything anytime soon.

Signing, Damon dropped his magic and letting go of the girl. But as he did so, something slipped off his hand and into her hair. It looked a little bit like oil. [b]”Sheesh Juan. Why don’t you you just tell everyone my true identity? Whatever. We should hurry to somewhere more… Private. I think my light show attracted all the wrong attention.”[/b] A bluff on Damon’s part, but only because there was a very real possibility that he did just attract the attention of Darius, who may or may not be on the lookout for Juan and his associates. Damon, quite aware of the potential disaster he just made, kept a sharp eye and ear out for the shadow foxes that would may come to investigate. [b]”Lead the way Juan. I’m right behind you.”[/b]

The demon had patiently waited until Zi released before helping her in finally extracting her hands fully off his collar, the tight noose slowly cutting off any breath. “Naturally. I’m sure little Emmet would love to see you, but you need to behave after all and let us do our job. Understand kitten?” He smirked a devilish grin, rubbing salt in the wound a bit. 

While Juan's obvious taunting was irking Zi, she didn't let it show. Gritting her teeth or even punching him were reactions that were only going to fuel his aggression and give him an excuse to carry on or even act on it. There was a very simple trick for dealing with obnoxious fellows she'd learned while working at the Rabid Dog: ignore who they are and imagine you actually like them. Imagine that what they're saying is in your best interest and you'll respond in a way that truly will be.

Convincing herself that being called “kitty” was an affectionate gesture and that Juan truly was on her side, was hard enough with his smirk belittling her from such a close range. However, there was the small satisfaction that he was hugely underestimating her, and thus overlooking the careless mention she'd made in reference to her abilities. She'd been playing the underdog for years and he was still none the wiser about her true abilities.

She really wished she could afford to close her eyes for a second and take a long breath to expel all the hatred and panic she felt on the inside. She couldn't, though, so she just shifted awkwardly trying to shake the tension off her muscles. All she had to do was remember that time years ago when she thought Juan was actually on her side. Having mentally braced herself for the next stage of their never-ending cat-and-mouse game, Zi looked back at Juan, not quite smiling, but showing enough submission to lead him to believe she recognised him as the leader.

At Damon’s little whine, Juan merely shrugged it off. His hunched over figure returned back to its original upright position and straighten out his collar once more. The neckline still sting from her iron like grip and the makeshift noose, biting into his hard, rocky flesh. It still amazed him how females stirred up almost unfathomable strength from their petite little figures. Even the white blonde bitches, mentally referring to Zi, seemed to have the skill. His lips widened in silent enjoyment, mocking her almost, for a moment. 

He slowly rubbed his neck some to work out the pain while he listened to Damon’s childish nitpicks. True it had occurred to him, for a second, how bad it was to reveal Damon’s true name. When she called it out in a public place, it wasn’t likely to get just Darius’ attention but the Academy’s musicians too. It would’ve provided a perfect way to create a distraction for the pair to slip away.  

Juan’s body suddenly stiffened on Damon’s mentioning his light show might’ve attracted attention. Of course their rotten luck had to continue, he thought bitterly when he spied two glowing, white eyes appear in the alleyway and two foxes emerge to investigate. “Fuck…Zi, you might want to consider following or vanishing. Unless of course, you enjoy being chased.” Juan hissed, instantly his feet twirled on the spot. Without looking back or trusting Zi to know how exposed she was, he quickly lead Damon down the street toward the warehouse where his lab was located.  

“I’ll find you when you finish.” The woman whispered quickly tucking  the wings tight on her back and slipped into the nearest alley. It wouldn’t fit the image of the naive weakling to follow the demons on their mission. However, she wouldn’t miss the chance to find out whatever Juan was playing at, a small fraction of her essence-cloud following the men as they made their way ahead. Meanwhile, the rest was spread out in a thin blanket covering two blocks in radius and alerting her of any presence within it. With that it would be easy for her to tip-toe around anyone looking for her - especially with the sky as a possible escape route. Confident that at least she had some idea of what was going on, Zi finally allowed herself to lean on a wall and take a deep breath. Then she pulled out Emmet’s emergency number and sent a quick text.

Damon turned his head towards the foxes before shrinking into Juan’s shadow. Seemed like trouble had found him. But Damon was prepared for them this time. He stayed hidden in Juan’s shadow, keeping up with his speed and movement. If he needed to hitch a ride he’d turn into a spec of dirt on Juan’s shoe, and when he was ready to stand and fight Damon would be there to help him.

But what Damon was also curious about was that girl. Who ever she was, she wasn’t a friend of Darius, but also someone else who wants Emmet. Evidently she was an acquaintance of Juan, and surely someone of notable power if she was so brazen as to threaten him in front of Damon. Or perhaps she was just stupid. Still Damon didn’t trust her, which meant he needed to keep track of her. Which was a good thing he planted a bug on her when he grabbed her hair. That should alert him if she’s ever nearby, or to track her down if it comes to that. But first thing’s first; they needed to lose these wolves.

Damon continued to trail after Juan all the way to a warehouse. It looked old and abandoned, but if Damon knew anything about warehouses, there was always someone using them for some reason. He’d suspect that Juan precured one for himself and uses it as a base of operations, even off paper. [b]”I don’t think we lost them, is it really a good idea to bring them so close to your hideout?”[/b]
  


{The text is to Olivia saying: “He’s alive and well, tell you more soon.”}