Ora felt herself falling back, but was surprised to not hit the stairs behind her. Instead she felt a strong pair of hands around her waist, keeping her from falling.

The young girl was about to call out for help. However, she feared a possible scolding from her parents slightly more than the stranger holding her.

"Are you alright?" A deep voice spoke out.

Athos took the moment to look down at the girl. Her eyes watered from the brightness of the rising sun.

"My eyes!" the girl cried out

"My eyes!" the girl cried out. He lifted her chin up for a better look. Unlike before, her eyes now possessed a cloudy film over them.

"You're blind."

Ora grabbed at his arms in desperation.

"Please, it is too bright. The pain is too much," she begged.

Athos tore off a piece of red cloth from his clothing and tied it over the girl's weeping eyes.

"Is that better?" he asked.

She nodded. A slight smile touched her lips.

"I knew there was someone watching me," she breathed.

". . . Uh. Forgive me, Madame."

"I'm - ," the girl stopped short. "I have to get back now."

"Of course." Athos didn't even try to delay her any further. But the girl did not make a hasty retreat inside as he would have expected. On the contrary, she pulled at the necklace she wore around her neck. She placed it in his hands.

"Thank you for helping me. Take this, for I am currently in your debt," she said.

Athos looked down at the necklace. A golden cross covered in small gems and pearls sat in his hand.

"I hope to see you again," she said before leaving.

Athos stared after her with a look of bewilderment. For the time being, he placed the cross around his neck. The demon began his descent back to his home.

"Oh, believe me. It would take an actual angel to get rid of me now, My Lady," he said to himself.

He rubbed the crucifix between his fingers and thought of the girl he had just met. Athos couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he knew damn well there was something different about her.

Weren't most girls afraid of the dark?

Didn't most humans hunt animals for sport as opposed to speaking to them?

Why had she given over her cross?

Was she not religious? Had she none?

And her eyes, why is she only able to see at night?

What kind of cruel trick had been played on her?

Athos' temper grew as the questions piled up in his head. Worst of all he wasn't even able to answer the simplest one. . .

"What is your name, precious one?"

(If you like the story so far please feel free to comment or ask questions!)