Angelica scrubbed the sheets as best as she could. She already knew the bloodstains were not coming out, but she could not think of anything else to do. If she left her room she would likely run into either Dylan or Dusty. She was not sure what she could say to Dylan, and she did not know if Dylan had told Dusty what had happened. The last thing she wanted was for it to be brought up again.

There was no place in her room to hang up the now soggy sheets, so she bundled them up and climbed down to the garden, hanging them between some fences. As they drifted in the breeze, she sat down on a bench in the garden. She had never thought of herself as a helpless woman. She had trained herself so she never would be, but last night all she had wanted was for someone to save her. What good was she if she was going to be weak and helpless?

“Ah, here you are.”

Angelica looked up to see Dylan standing on the path. His clothes were neat, his hair combed down and his wings cloaking his back.

“Did you…need something?”

“I’ve finished my piece, and I was wondering if you would like to hear it.” Only then did she notice the violin in his hands.

“I…sure.”

He put the violin up and closed his eyes and began playing. The familiar melody played around Angelica. She had heard it so many times in the library as Dylan had composed. There seemed to be a new vibrancy to it today though, and as it continued she found herself unable to look away from the humanoid demon.

The tempo slowed, taking on a sadder tone. She had never heard this part before, and it tugged on her heart. Then the music picked back up, carrying her along until the end. Dylan ended the song and bowed.

“That was…” beautiful… gorgeous… Those words sounded so inappropriate somehow. “Does it have a name?”

I…um,” he hesitated. “No, I haven’t decided on a name yet.”

“But you said the song would tell you what it wanted to be called.”

“Sometimes it’s a little more complicated than that.” He smiled warmly.

“Broooooooooooo!” Suddenly a figure dove out of the sky. Dylan looked over his shoulder and then dove out of the way as another figure landed, sending out a shockwave of air.

Standing in front of Angelica was now a young looking girl with bright pink hair, a blue jean jacket, and a short pleated skirt. She also had a pair of horns on her head, and a pair of smaller wings coming out of her lower back. Another humanoid demon.

“Well hello,” the demon said.

“At least you’re female,” Angelica found herself muttering.

She laughed. “Hey Dill I see you got…”

She was interrupted as Dusty came barreling out of the house. “Paicy!” He jumped into the demon’s arm. She caught him easily, even though she was a few inches shorter than he, and spun him around.

“Hi Dus.”

He stepped to the ground, grinning.

“I see you two got a new housemate.”

“This is Miss Angelica.” Dusty said. “Miss Angelica, this is Master Dylan’s sister, Paicy.”

“Sister?”

Paicy offered her hand, which Angelica took somewhat hesitantly. Paicy was a humanoid demon, but again she felt comfortable, like Dylan.

“What are you doing here?” Dylan asked.

“I just thought I’d stop by and tell you Dad knows where you are.”

All of the blood seemed to drain from Dylan’s face.

“Yeah, that’s the reaction I was expecting. Anyways, your good buddy Trenir showed up last night, mad about something or other and spilled the beans.”

“You didn’t stop him?” Dylan asked.

“Hey, I thought he was your friend. How was I supposed to know you went and got him that mad?” Paicy shrugged.

Dylan sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Thanks for the heads up. I assume Father’s on his way.

“Yep.” Paicy grinned.

“Dusty, you’re to stay in your room,” Dylan said, then he looked at Angelica. “I’m going to have to request you stay in your room as well.”

Angelica frowned. “And I’m going to decline.”

“I’d listen actually. Dad doesn’t exactly like humans…” Paicy let the sentence trail off.

“I don’t care.” She was not going to run and hide. Not again. She did not need to be protected. “Besides, it’s partially my fault.” She caught Dylan’s eyes.

“Your fault? What happened?” Dusty asked.

“It’s not important,” Dylan replied. “My Father is powerful, it would be best-”

“I’m not hiding,” Angelica snapped. “Just because you’re scared that your father is coming here to kill you doesn’t mean I need to run away.”

Paicy burst out laughing. “You think dad is coming here to kill, Dill?”

“Why else would he look so scared?”

Dusty hid a laugh behind his hand. Dylan shot a glare at him quickly. “What was it you disliked so much about being a princess?”

The question surprised Angelica. “I guess…I just didn’t like what was expected of me.”

“And that’s what I dislike about being a demon.”