So a sort of unrelated, yet related note. I just was able to read Kyrian's story "Night Pleasures" and I think I found an oops on Sherrilyn Kenyon's part. In the Chronicles of Nick books, Alan shot Nick. But in "Night Pleasures", Nick tells Amanda that he was stabbed, not shot, when he was attacked by his gang. I know that CoN is based in a different time line, so maybe that was done on purpose since Adarian is still alive in CoN but dead in DH. I don't know, tell me if you think I'm over thinking that bit.

Also, if anyone would like to be a Beta reader for me, I could really use one. I keep going back and reading chapters I've already posted and had to smack myself on 'glitches'. Like in Chapter 1 when I called Kyrian a Roman General... I don't even know what I was thinking there. If he was real, he'd probably kill me for that disgraceful slip.

The song I listened to was "Love Me Like You Mean It" by Kelsea Balerini. I didn't turn on my music till after I started writing them on the way to their date.

Anywhoways, on with the next installment...

"Will you sit down and let me finish?"

Kim looked at Gabi, who was holding a bottle of concealer. Kim paced her bedroom a few more times before forcing herself to sit at the vanity.

"I can't help it. I'm nervous as all hell. I haven't been on many dates, you know that. The last time I went on a date with someone was our senior year and it was just to the movies. I was seventeen then, now I'm twenty-five, which means it's a big difference. And I'm so awkward in heels, how I let you convince me to wear these damn things-Ow!"

She rubbed her head and glared at the larger woman wielding a brush. "Glare all you want, it won't help the pain. Now stop stressing. Nick seems to be a good guy, and he's hot and loaded."

"Oh yeah. That so doesn't sound gold-diggerish at all." This time, Kim ducked the hair brush. "Give me that!" She snatched it away from Gabi and clutched it in her lap.

A knock came from Kim's bedroom door before Anthony entered, his hands over his eyes. "Momma, Nick's car just pulled up. Want me to let him in?"

She smiled at her son, getting up and walking over to him. She pulled his hands down and hugged him. He took a step back then smiled big.

"Wow, Momma! You look really pretty in that dress."

Kim spun in a small circle, letting the knee-length hem flutter out. It was a silk, orchid purple dress with a lace halter over-lay. On a whim, she had bought it months ago but had never worn it till now. Her black heels were strapped around her ankles and were a clumsy three inches high.

"Thank you, baby. And yes, you can let him in. I'll be down in a few more minutes."

"OK! Maybe I can get him to teach me some magic!" And with that, he took off like a bullet, out of the room.

Kim shook her head and hoped Gabi wouldn't question that comment. Gabi hadn't given Kim and Anthony much space since the attack so there hadn't really been much time to discuss with Anthony how to keep their new world awareness away from the other woman. While she was fairly sure Gabi could handle it as well as she had, it wasn't her place to tell her. Not really. If it came down to where she suspected her friend was in danger, then she'd let her in. But until then... Better to play it safe.

"Oh that's so cool! But I hope you got good control of it. Momma'd kill you if you burn Granny's blanket." Anthony indicated the zigzagged brown, orange, yellow and white crocheted blanket that lay over the back of the couch.

Nick took notice of said blanket and snuffed out the ball of flame in his hand. "I haven't had any backfires in a while but better safe than sorry, right?" He wiped his hand on his black slacks and straightened his black silk shirt.

Anthony nodded before pulling the blanket into his lap. "This was my great-grandmother's. I don't really remember her but momma really loved her. She says that's where she got her resilience from. Granny Lucille was a tough lady. She raised five daughters on her own, owned a bakery, and in the last fifteen years of her life, she had four different cancers and beat them all. All while dealing with a birth defect of having half of her right arm and her left leg being shorter than the other."

Nick sat back some in surprise. "That was some lady."

"Yeah," Anthony got a little sullen. "Momma doesn't like talking much about her though."

"Why not?"

"I think she feels guilty. The last time she saw Granny was when she was around my age. And she died only a few years ago. Momma had the chance to go see her a couple times but stayed home because of her friends in school. I went when I was really little with Mee-Maw cause momma couldn't miss school."

"Mee- Maw? That's your mom's mom, right?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

Nick and Anthony turned towards the stairs to see Kim coming down them with Gabi following her. Nick stood up and walked over to meet her at the bottom. "You look even more beautiful than usual."

"Thanks," she said, smiling. "But why are you two talking about my mom?"

Anthony pointed an accusatory finger at Nick. "He almost burnt Granny's blanket!"

"You know I wasn't trying to burn the blanket, right?"

Kim laughed and rolled her eyes at her date. They were in his car, on their way to whatever place Nick had chosen for their first date. For some reason, he was being stubborn and wouldn't tell her where they were going.

"Yes, I know."

Nick reached over and grabbed her hand in his, moving them to rest on the shifter. He rubbed the back of her hand with his rough thumb. He mentally noted the sharp contrast in their hands. His was calloused, dwarfing her soft hand easily. Not to soft though, as he felt her own calloused finger caress one of his knuckles.

Kim leaned her head back against the headrest and looked over at him. "So, you gonna tell me where we're heading, or what?"

He smirked at her, "Hmmmmm, no. But I'll give you a hint. There's fish involved."

"Fish?" She arched her eyebrow at him, sitting up straight. "Ok, I know I'm a southern girl but if you are taking me fishing for our first date..."

He laughed, "No, I'm saving that for our second date."

"And mud ridin' for our third? Gator hunting on the one after that?"

Nick visibly shook, "Ah heck no! I ain't going near any walking boots. If you want that, I can ask Bubba or Mark."

"Friends of yours?"

"Yeah. You know, the Triple B?"

She scoffed, "You mean the world's only computer and gun store that teaches zombie survival classes? I should have known when you said Bubba and Mark in the same sentence."

He nodded. "Nawlin's is smaller and smaller it seems. Did Ash introduce them to you?"

"Noooo," she deadpanned, "Anthony saw a flyer for their survival classes and thought it was like one of those escape room things. We went as a joke and were shocked when they took us out into the swamp and had us running around chasing shadows. And I ended up kicking Mark in the nuts when he dumped a bottle of that nasty shit he wears on Anthony and tried to put it on me, too."

"Oh Gods!" Nick used his knee to drive while rubbing his face, "Not the duck urine."

She sat forward to gape at him. "Is that what that shit was?! I had to throw away Anthony's clothes and use ten gallons of tomato sauce, five gallons of buttermilk, and some German stuff I couldn't even pronounce to get the scent off his skin."

"Good to know there is a way to get it off. After the first time I smelt it, I made sure to stay far away from him when he has it on."

They drove in silence, through the french quarter. Nick parked in a parking structure near the Canal Street station and got out, hurrying around to open the door for Kim.

"I hope those heels are comfortable, cause we're gonna have to do some walking."

The grim expression on her face gave him all the confirmation he needed. Without another word, or warning, he scooped her up in his arms and began walking out of the parking structure.

"What are you doing?"

"Being a gentleman. You didn't know we'd be walking alot this evening, so you didn't know to wear appropriate footwear." He smirked at her, "Besides, I like holding you like this. No better way to keep you safe."

Kim looked hesitant, "Speaking of safe, is it safe to have dates when the sun is down?"

"Are you questioning my ability to protect you?" All playfulness went away. The man from the alley was back for the first time since the night they'd met. He sat her down on her feet to stare into her eyes.

"I don't know. I don't know what all is out there. You say your some powerful demon with magic powers, but all I've seen was you shoot a fireball from your hand. Which was impressive, but how do I know it's enough? How do I know there's not some creature out there that can defeat you? I'm majoring in Art but I'm minoring in Mythology. Ya'll say the gods are real? Well, I've read plenty on gods that are vindictive and evil." She subconsciously rubbed her arms, like it wasn't seventy-five degrees and humid like a sauna. "What if we get seperated, like I go to the bathroom and there's a Daimon waiting for me there?"

Nick grabbed both of her hands in his and held them up. "One, my powers are way beyond just blasting inkblots with fire. Just short of bringing people back to life, controling fate and timetraveling, I have the same powers as Ash, for the most part. And while there are a few beings that can take me on, I can still hold me own against them. And I have plenty of allies to back me up, should I need them."

Kim pulled her hands free from his and began rubbing his chest in soothing circles. "And what about me and mine? What if these powers that be, find out you have a new weakspot? What if they come after me or Anthony to get to you?"

Nick's eyes turned red and the air around them grew thick. Thicker than any humidity could cause. It was oppressing. His hands gripped her upper arms and claws dug into her, biting.

"Nick!" She looked down at the trickles of blood that ran down her arm.

"I will never let anyone get to you or your son. I've lost too many people to my enemies. Noone will hurt you."

"You're hurting me!"

Nick jerked back, letting go, as if he'd been suckerpunched in the face. His eyes returned to blue and his claws receded. He looked at the blood beginning to stain his fingertips. His look of utter shock and confusion didn't make her feel any better.

"I don't have to worry about your enemies coming after my family." Kim began walking backwards, "I have to worry about protecting them from you." And she took off down the road as fast as her heeled feet would take her.