Hedgesville, West Virginia

Caspian Residence

Sunday, August 25, 1996

6:32 PM

The Seraph stood in the back yard of the house with the tanned bird demon who was staring at her with a look of disbelief. A red bandanna was tied on his head, holding back his hair, while his eyes were focused on her new growths.

“I’m glad that Nick thinks I can help you,” Nahele said as he stared down at Jennie’s dragon-like wing, “but I don’t really have any idea how this is going to work.”

Reaching out and touching her scaled appendage, he scowled. "I know people think that a bird wing works the same as any other wing," he mumbled, "but the bone structure is different. You have an angel wing that has four joints while the dragon is kind of like a bat's. Neither are like my wings. Nothing like a bird's at all."

"You can't help me then?" Jennie asked.

"Not sure," he remarked with a groaned while rubbing at the back of his head. "I might be able to help you with the feathered one. At least it's resembles a bird's somewhat. But that dragon one...maybe you should talk with the prince about it."

“Ask Shan,” Jennie said as she sighed. “Can you at least tell me how to get rid…”

Before she could finish, a wave of dizziness passed over her as she dropped to her knees abruptly. In front of her, she could see the bird demon kneel down.

“Whoa, gidget, you okay?” Nahele questioned as Jennie nodded.

“Just a little anemic,” she whispered.

Her whole body felt cold and the evening air didn't help. When she peered up, she found the bandanna being pressed against her forehead. Her eyes widened in alarm.

"You're sweating," he said, wiping at her damp skin. "Maybe we should give it a stop for now."

“It’ll pass. Lucia said so.” Jennie gave Nahele a pleading look.

“If you’re just going to pass out on me...”

"I want to learn how to get rid of these damn things," Jennie cried out, grabbing a hold of his shirt. Her grip wasn't strong as she peered down at her hands.

"Chyeah," Nahele said while shaking his head, "there's not freaking way you can even do the simplest task here. You're too weak at the moment."

"But..."

"No way, brah," he said, flopping down on his backside. His eyes stared at her with concern. "Check it. You just went through a major blood spiller. You can't even stand up without flailing about. You won't be able to perform without killing yourself."

"But..."

A stern look formed on Nahele's face. Jennie lips curled downward as she sighed.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, reaching out and stealing his bandanna from him. She held it in her hands for a bit, playing with it. "I just..."

"I understand," he replied casually. He leaned back and looked up at the darkening skies. "When I first had my wings come out, I was really frustrated with them, too. It's something winged demons have to adjust to. Learning to release and draw back the wings. It's not easy at first. But then...it's second nature."

"One day," Jennie said with a sigh.

"Yep."

Standing up, Nahele reached out a hand. The Seraph stared at it for a moment then grabbed a hold of it. As he lifted her up, she stumbled forward then caught herself. The dizziness was slowly fading away.

"Thanks," she whispered, looking up at him and smiling softly.

"I didn't really do anything, brah," he replied.

"Yeah, you did," she chuckled, reaching up with her hands. Taking the bandanna, she tied it into a headband to the side of his head. She then stepped back and cracked a smile. "Kind of suits you."