(A/N) This is going to be my entry for camp nanowrimo this August, so it'll likely be updated often. This is only the prologue.

Prologue

His voice came like a sigh to my eardrums. Light, wispy, weary. I felt myself drawn to the sound. My black army boots crunched harshly on the gravel as I took a defensive stance and inched out towards the melodic whisper, my gun held sturdily in my now experienced hands. However, despite my experience, I could feel my own breath shake as I rounded the corner, when I saw what the grey concrete wall had concealed only moments ago. My breath caught in my throat then. My only thought at that moment was "there's no way that could be a demon." None of the caustic blackish-purple ichor characteristic of demons stained the rough gravel ahead of me, and the air around me smelt not of sulfur but of fresh fennel and basil. I could hardly believe my eyes. How I hadn't noticed sooner I couldn't recall. This was not a demon; it was a half angel.

I felt a little in shock; never had I guessed I would come face to face with a half angel. We'd heard about them, but to see one was unheard of in our compound. Despite my awe I held my ground. Stories of half angels or whole angels were always cautionary albeit magical. They weren't outright violent, but angels were always told to burn or smite people when they weren't careful. My gun never wavered from it's aim at the halfling's head. He made that breathy sighing sound again and though my hands didn't shake as I felt myself gasp near imperceptibly as I took a small step forward, boots once again crunching on the floor, as I took a better look at the halfling. His hair was chestnut brown and down to his collar bones, and his skin was a dusky tan color. He glowed ever so slightly, probably an angelic trait. He had already seen me when i rounded the corner only a minute or so ago, and his eyes were boring into me, making me more uneasy than i already was. I inched forward little by little, my gun still raised. When i was about two feet away from him I spoke. "Who are you?" I asked firmly, thankful my voice didn't waver. The halfling made a face that looked like a mix of amusement and pouting before he answered me.

"My name is Merlot," There was that voice again. Sweet and melodic like the songs we could occasionally coax out of our entertainment technology. I probably stared a bit too long at his mouth for my own good before I spoke again.

"What is your purpose here?" I asked curtly. I saw no logical reason to behave politely - half angel or not. Then it was his turn to stare as if he didn't know why he had just wandered onto compound territory. My hands held the gun firm even as he spoke again.

"I have no specific purpose... I was just wandering when I came across this lot. It smelt like sulfur and I wanted to investigate," He explained in an earnest voice. I thought that explanation was complete bullshit, but he was here, and he wasn't causing any trouble in my opinion.

"You'll have to come with me." I stated professionally. He may not be causing a ruckus, but as a pro hunter, it was my obligation to take him in for a full investigation.