This is a work of fanfiction that uses characters from the Harry Potter world, which is trademarked by J. K. Rowling and from the Anita Blake world created by L. K. Hamilton. All characters belong to their respective authors as stated above and I claim no ownership over them or the 'world' that is stated in the authors books. The story and situation I am creating is my imagination and I do not ascribe them to either authors official story cannon. This work is only intented for entertainment outside of official story line and I am not profiting financially in any way from the creation and publication of this story. I am so gratefull to both L. K. Hamilton and J. K. Rowling, whose stories have inspired and inflamed the imagination of so may people including myself. For without their work, mine would not exsist. I highly recommend buying their books!

PROLOGUE

Even after all the strength, speed and stamina she had gotten from the marks between Richard, Jean-Claude and herself; and inadvertently from her own marks and magic, she still wasn't good enough to save these kids.

Reloading her Browning and taking aim at the demon was difficult and its speed was truly breath-taking. And she had seen all kinds of creatures that had incredible speed; it was impossible to get an accurate shot off. And running out of bullets in an abandoned school theater building with a group of frightened children and one soul-hungry ugly ass demon just wasn't an option. Not if these children were going to survive.

Not that bullets had made much of a difference. The only reason they were still alive was the demon was obviously playing with them. Using its incredible speed it had them trapped in the middle of the room and easily blocked them from escaping out the two exit doors and several windows.

Something just wasn't right with this whole situation. The death of a sorcerer would free the demon if it was summoned beforehand. And yet this demon had only appeared after she had shot the sorcerer dead. Demons had an aura of such evil even null humans could feel it. And yet she could only faintly sense something from the demon. It was as if it was shielding itself. A thick blanket-like cloak concealing its power and malice.

Suddenly the demon stopped its mad dash around them and stopped not 10 feet away from them. It speed had been such that it was only a dark blur and glinting eyes had been seen. Now with it at a complete stop for the first time she was able to clearly see its form. And wished she couldn't.

A lithe form covered in a dark substance that looked suspiciously like dried blood and under that was skin that looked like a grandma's blanket. All different colors of skin patched together to stretch of a form with twisted limbs ending in sharp talons nearly a foot long. Stubby and ragged protrusions rose from the hunched back but if they were once wings she couldn't even predict what they may have once looked like; each had spikes along it and looked deadly sharp and whistled faintly each time it had sped by. But the acoustics in the building prevented her from using the sound to predict its movements and only resulted in her becoming frustrated and desperate.

She began to recite her favorite passage in the bible before the demon began to laugh. It was an almost razor-sharp sound for all it was filled with malicious glee. She heard the children behind her whimper but couldn't risk taking her eyes off the thing in front of her. Grasping the cross with her free left hand she stuttered to a stop when the cold, lifeless metal touched her hand. No. This is wrong. Her faith had always protected her from vampires and demons alike. It glowed from faint to intense and was never cold when active. Her faith was still as strong as ever. So why? Faint clicking sounds dragged her gaze upwards to see it taking leisurely steps toward them.

The only thing that came to mind was the Prayer of St Michael from John's Gospel 8:44.

"Saint Michael the Archangel,

defend us in battle.

Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;

and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,

by the Divine Power of God,

cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits

WHO ROAM THROUGH THE WORLD SEEKING THE RUIN OF SOULS!"

The last line was delivered in a near shout with the children cowering and crying quietly behind her. When the echos of her voice died down it left the click click of talon across scuffed timber and the faint sound of hissing laughter as it drew nearer. The Browning was empty and the extra clips were spent already; prayer nor cross was of any use.

I cannot protect these children. We're all going to die here.

"What are you?" That was her voice wasn't it? But how can it be when her body is rooted to the spot with fear and hopelessness?

"You know who I am." It's voice was deep and raspy and for some reason made her think of blackened meat being peeled from a hot plate. A hysterical giggle escaped her but soon turned into gagging as the stench hit her. Sulfur, sharp and almost acidic coated her throat and made it hard to breath and swallow. But it was the underlying smell of carrion and charred flesh that made her want to vomit. Marshaling what meager strength was left she straightened up to meet it head on. She was not a coward and would go down fighting with all she had. It was almost within striking range.

It stopped a few feet away and bared a maniacal grin that flashed teeth that would look more at home in a shark's jaw. "I am the one who is always behind you." No. " I am the one you need and fear the most." When did I become so weak? "You've grown so tasty over the years." HELP ME. It was now so close she could touch it, but strangely the smell was fading along with her sight. "I am going to devour you."

No more strength in her body. No more cries from the children she'd sworn to protect.

The darkness could not hide those teeth or electric eyes. Or the pain that suddenly consumed her...