Damien's POV

　　Thanks to my family's bloodline, sleep wasn't something I needed but instead chose to do. I wasn't some mere mortal who needed to 'recharge their batteries' or 'get some beauty sleep'. I was lucky enough to be handsome and alert 24/7. However, tonight was a rare exception to my rules. 

　　Lying next to Red, her head resting against my chest as she giggled at some chick flick we had settled on watching, I felt my body relax in ways it had not before. Maybe it was the way she absentmindedly trailed her fingertips across my chest in little patterns or the way her heart slowly stopped racing and eased into a steady, strong beat, soothing my soul. Whatever the reason, I was not complaining.

　　Smiling as I opened my eyes to see her head nuzzled perfectly in the crook of my neck, her hands tightened under my arms and around my back, hugging herself to my chest tightly. My arms cradled her head protectively. Even in my sleep, I wanted to keep her safe. Being this close to her was unrivalled by any of my other encounters.

　　I don't know who drifted off first, but somewhere throughout the night, we had sought each other out, our bodies entwined together most deliciously. When had she shifted to lay almost on top of me? Had I pulled her to me? I don't know or care! She was where she should be in my arms! 

　　"Imagine how good it will be when she's naked on top of us!" I heard Ares purr in my head approvingly. I had to admit I wasn't opposed to the idea; waking up to her tightly gripped in my arms was definitely stirring more than just my beast. Shifting gently to relieve some of the pressure, I felt building in my crotch stifling a groan as her petite frame rubbed against me.

　　"You could always wake her and ask her to take care of it for you!" Ares grinned in the back of my head enthusiastically. "Given those steamy images, she was ok with yesterday; I'd say she knows her way around a cock or two."

　　"And just like that, the moment is gone." I hissed back to him, looking down at the angel who slept peacefully in my arms, ignoring Ares and his 'ideas'. Focusing on her angelic face, watching her breathe softly, her beautiful scent of Vanilla and coconut filling the air around us. She was perfect!

　　"Your plan best work! Or you'll be spending the rest of your days in a four-by-four crate," I hissed to Ares, feeling a sudden wave of unease wash over me; tomorrow she turned 18, and if my suspicions were right there was a chance that tomorrow I could lose her to the pompous prick and his pack.

　　Running my fingers up and down her spine under her loose-fitting t-shirt, loving the feeling of her delicate skin under my fingertips. My eyes took on a mischievous sparkle feeling her arch closer to me; even in her sleep, she craved my touch. Noticing her roll slightly to get closer, I took the opportunity to slide out from under her, manoeuvring her gently, not wanting to wake her. 

　　Standing over her with a smirk seeing the cute pout cross those luscious lips of hers. Her lips begged to be kissed, nibbled, and adored! 

　　"You did warn her about pouting" Ares grinned slowly, giving me a not-so-gentle nudge, wanting to push me to follow through on the thoughts that swirled in my head. Bending down slowly to where her head rested on the sofa, my eyes watching her face, not wanting her to wake up and freak out because I was standing over her… again! Closing my eyes and cursing her hold over me, I pressed my lips gently to the top of her head.

　　"Chicken shit", Ares howled in my head. Ignoring him, I shoved him down into the depths of my mind.

　　"I will be back, Red," I whispered, grabbing my phone and her keys from the side, remembering Red had no food in for breakfast, and as good as cold Chinese is, we could do better than that for her Birthday eve celebrations.

　　I had barely made it down the stairs when my phone started buzzing; without looking, I knew who it was and what he wanted. Well, he could wait! Sending my father to voicemail, I grinned, getting a kick out of the fact I knew my father would be seething at being ignored. Within seconds of rejecting his call, my phone buzzed again. Not wanting today to be ruined by my father's incessant need to control everything and everyone, I sent him straight to voicemail. Turning my phone off, I shoved it into my back pocket, grinning as I headed out of her building. I decided to walk into town and give Red a chance to wake up.

　　Feeling lighter than I had in years, I smirked down at the filth-stained bedding of the local drunk. Not even he could ruin today's mood! Turning out of Red's run-down apartment complex, I stopped mid-stride, seeing the smoke rising over the town. It wasn't the thick black smoke filling the air that caught my attention but the unmistakable smell of burning flesh! Human Flesh! I would know that smell anywhere! 

　　Closing my eyes, not giving a damn about anyone watching, I teleported to the middle of town. Remaining invisible, I watched the locals running towards the inferno, their faces distorted by grief. The local church, which once stood as a beacon of light to the feeble humans, roared to life, not with God's grace but the roaring flames of hell fire! How ironic, I grinned. Tensing, feeling a hand pat me on the back, I sighed heavily, knowing only one person could see through my mask of invisibility.

　　"Father." I acknowledged trying to keep the disappointment from my voice and remain obedient.

　　"You know that..." He started to say, looking at the roaring flames that consumed the church mercilessly.

　　"Hi, son. How are you?" I interjected sarcastically, dropping my invisibility cloak. I could feel him side-eyeing me, but I knew there would be no emotion in his face.

　　"If you wanted pleasantries, you should have answered your phone." He added. I could have sworn I saw a glimmer of amusement in his features, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. Nodding back to the flames, he continued coldly. "I presume, you know what those flames are?."

　　"Hellfire, yes! Did you bring them up here?" I asked matter-of-factly; I didn't care for the church and, given the foul smell in the air, the loss of many human lives- why discuss it any longer than needed?

　　"No." He answered abruptly, raising a questionable brow at me.

　　"Well, it wasn't me." I snapped, looking back at the flames that ate at the ancient building. As far as I was aware, my father and I were the only ones in town with the ability to do such a thing; my father had no need to lie to me.

　　"Interesting." He smirked for the first time in years showing real emotion as he stared into the chaos.

　　"Why are you here?" I asked nervously, hoping he didn't have a task for me; I wanted to return to Red.

　　"There has been an attack on the faith; as a member of this town, I should be here to show my support and offer help." He added slyly. "Don't you have work?" He added cocking a brow before walking off towards the flames.

　　"Fuck work,", I silently cursed. "It can wait; today, we celebrate." I grinned, turning my back on my father and the flames of hell.