Zeev POV
"I still say you're jealous!"  Harlee accused as I walked her out of work.  Staff and customers stared.  She had gripped my hand immediately, though the Bond eased the ache in our respective chests-it was still much more comfortable for us both if we were in contact-if the soul fragments could sense each other through our contact.

"I'm not jealous."  I growled.

"Uh-huh.  Overprotective then?  Possessive?  Ooh that's a good one-it's like a little pun, because you're a Demon."  She grinned happily.

"Did you see those two?  They could have been models!"  I heard a customer whisper behind us.  Harlee, however was blissfully unaware.  I looked at her adoringly.

"What's that look for?"  Harlee asked me, looking up.  The power of a Demon at her fingertips, and what does this girl do?  Go about her life as normal.  I shook my head.

"If it had to be anyone Harlee, I'm glad it was you too."  I answered her and kissed the top of her head.  Then I wrapped her in my arms, making sure no one was paying attention to us anymore and stepped her into her home.  A Demon whose Heart is possessed by another becomes whatever that person needs them to be.  Harlee just needed me to be...me.

Harlee POV
"So, I was thinking ordering in tonight."  I said, twirling a pencil on the counter.  Zeev bristled.  He considered it an insult to our taste-buds, and his skills.  I sighed.

"I know what you're gonna say, but sometimes you just want some greasy fattening foods, and uhh, my period's about to start, so that makes the cravings worse."  I winced.  This wasn't my first period since I'd known Zeev, but it was the first since our new Bond.  I was a little worried what might happen with the new connection.  Zeev heaved a sigh.

"As you wish."  He stated and I looked at him abruptly.  Oh, the Bond probably prevents him from arguing.

"Yes and no.  I could argue, but it's harder for me now, especially when all I want to do is do everything within my power for you.  But I'm also not looking forward to this experience.  Humans are full of emotions and you...seem to cry and rage a lot around that time...  I think keeping you happy would be in my best interests."  Zeev offered.

"Jerk."  I threw the pencil at him.

Zeev POV
The bleeding started that night.  I could smell it.  I woke Harlee gently and took her to the bathroom so she could clean up.  She grumbled, but thanked me afterwards as she collapsed back on the bed.  I was conflicted.  The scent of her blood had nearly driven me mad.  I knew it wasn't uncommon for blood to be offered in a Contract or Bond, but I had always found that strangely distasteful.  Yes, I would consume the flesh to get to the soul, but drinking the blood was just...well unnecessary.  What was wrong with me that I was now craving my Mistresses' blood?  I sat up and stepped out of her room.

I was greeted by my True Name and a shiver rand down my spine.  "Why have you come?  You no longer belong to me."  The voice of my superior said.  Of course he would know.  He would have known as soon as our contract was broken.

"My apologies."  I replied and kneeled.  "An incident occurred and my Heart is now in the possession of a human girl.  She is most worthy."  I felt my superior's attitude soften towards me.

"I am glad that you are happy, but you know that makes you the enemy of certain factions..."

"Yes I know."  I cut in  "At this moment, I'm not concerned about that.  What can you tell me about the Bond?  More specifically:  I find myself desiring my Mistress' blood.  Is this normal?"  I asked urgently.

"Interesting."  Said my superior and I felt the Bond between Harlee and I light up as he examined it.  "But what is this?"  He asked plucking the thread that linked our soul fragments.  I wiped the image clear as my chest burned.  I could feel his penetrating gaze.

"The Bond between you is very strong, but it is still unbalanced.  You need more from her than she is currently willing to give.  Thus you crave sustenance in another way.  Be wary, this may manifest in a variety of ways, many of which could be disastrous to you both.  Balance your Bond.  Now go, before your presence is discovered.  Some did not fight alongside you as I have and thus are not as lenient."  My superior told me.  I nodded my thanks and stepped back into Harlee's room.

"Are you ok Zeev?"  She asked quickly.  "My chest-it suddenly burned and..."  She jumped from the bed and came hurtling at me, leaping into my arms.  The smell of her, so strong because of her bleeding nearly knocked me down.

"Harlee...I.... I'm fine."  I clenched my teeth and held my breath.  This next week was going to be Hell.

Harlee POV
"I'm not a leper!"  I griped as I caught Zeev holding his breath around me again.

"I know that-it's just, while you're bleeding, the scent of your blood..."  He gasped.

"Stop that right now!  You look ridiculous."  I snapped.

"Harlee don't give me that order."  Zeev warned.

"And why not?"  I crossed my arms stubbornly.

"Because I might attack you."  Zeev growled, eyes glowing.  The wolf on his neck morphed into just a wolf's head with long, sharp teeth extended, dripping with saliva.

"I don't get it-what am I supposed to do?  How do I 'balance the bond'. "  I said dramatically with air quotes.

"I don't know either."  Zeev wheezed.  "Please excuse me."  He fled from the room.  Damn, I repelled a Demon.  How do we bottle this stuff?

All I could think about at work was the same thing.  'Balance the Bond'.  What?  How?

"Hey it's the funny gorgeous girl!  Still not tired of these dicks, huh?  You never did call."  The guy across the counter pouted.  I looked up and jerked back a step.  It was the same guy as before, but now..

"Oh-ho, you can see through my little disguise!  Well I only wore him in here to get your attention.  When I saw you in his thoughts I had to come see for myself."  He lunged across the counter and gripped my chin, turning my face to the side.  "Bearer of a Demon Heart."  He whispered.  I covered the Mark with my hand.

'Zeev!'  I called out with my mind desperately.  'I need you!'  The electricity arced out from me like a lightning bolt and disappeared.  The Demon in front of me watched it go.

"Yes, call your little beast..."  He snarled.  "He's no match for me."

"I wouldn't be too sure."  Zeev strode up behind the man and gripped him by the neck.

"Wait-Zeev, is there any way not to harm the human host?"  I asked desperately.

"I'll try."  Zeev answered and with that, the two of them disappeared in front of me.  I hesitated for a moment and then leaned on the counter with a huff.  Suddenly a strong arm grabbed me around the waist and I stumbled and almost fell on the roof of the building abruptly.

"Oh no-we're not leaving your Master out of this!"  The Demon snarled, a clawed hand at my throat.

"Harlee-concentrate on me now."  Zeev looked directly into my eyes.  I felt the connection between us open immediately as the lightning jumped from him to me, passing through our Marks.  It tingled through my body and the Demon behind me twitched and shrieked.  Suddenly I was standing where Zeev was a minute ago, head spinning.  Something wet dripped down my neck.  I raised a hand and wiped at it.  Blood.  Shit-the monster got me.  When I looked back up, Zeev's form had devolved into the shadow before his True Form emerged, but instead there was a ripping sound from within the shadows and the human man fell to the ground while a twisted Demon shape flew up and landed on the roof in front of me.  It grinned evilly and crawled towards me.  Zeev's foot came down on it, human again.

"Mistress, what should I do with this foul creature?"  He snarled, grinding his heel into its neck.  I crinkled my nose.

"Kill it-dispose of it however you wish, just don't draw any unwanted attention to us."  I answered with a sneer, staring down at the thing.  It shrieked clawing at me, but Zeev's form shifted again and his True Form emerged.  I shut my eyes as I heard the crunch and slurp of the Demon being swallowed.

"Harlee, look at me."  Zeev's voice was gentle.

"No."  I shook my head and collapsed, hugging my knees.

"Harlee-you and I are Bonded, this is my True Form, you have to get used to seeing me."  Zeev cajoled.

"Nuh uh-I can't"  I could feel how the rejection hurt him.  My legs were shaking so bad I didn't think I could stand.  "I'm scared of you like this Zeev-you're not my Zeev like this."  A tear ran down my face and a leathery knuckle brushed it away.  I flinched.

"Balance the Bond.  I think this might be part of what he meant.  I still terrify you, don't I?"  Zeev asked, heartbroken.  I didn't answer.  I felt him tug my arm with a leather talon.  "Come here.  There are less scary parts to me too.  I felt a warm body wrap around me and the leathery hand ran my fingers over soft feathers.  My eyes popped open.

"All this time, I never realized-you still have wings?!"  I exclaimed.  They were golden brown.  Four of them.

"There used toe be more-before my fall."  Zeev said sadly.  I ran my hand down the soft feathers and he cupped the large wing around me gently.  It had to be ten feet tall at least, who knew how long.  I looked up at the sky, surrounded by feathers.

"Harlee, you're bleeding!"  Zeev sharply scolded, and just like that, the moment was over.