Clawhauser's first clue that he shouldn't have had that box of maple-glazed citrus-zest donuts before bed was seeing Officers Lalinxski and Delgato murdered outside the precinct while he was coming back from lunch. Lucid dreams were a rarity for him, but not unheard of. Lucid nightmares were rarer still and this one was a doozy.

It started off with a regular day that turned into a horror show. Nothing new as far as nightmares went for him. Pretty standard, generally. From there, his dream had only gotten weirder. He'd seen mobs of grinning lunatics attacking his fellow officers and civilians left and right, until he'd been targeted. Then, it was that dream theater cliché of running. A twist he hadn't expected, because who would ever expect good things in a nightmare, was running into Gazelle herself.

He'd barely registered her presence at all, until the tiny fox with the huge presence appeared. That was the part of the dream where the bad guy shows up and just as he dives at you, you wake up. Only that didn't happen. The vulpine did not lunge at him to end his life, instead attacking the mob that was chasing him and his pop-star companion. It was a physics defying assault, as the pint-sized whirlwind of destruction never actually touched the ground at any point during the fight, even when he should have.

This twisted little slice of subconscious nastiness was then, yet again, turned on its head by the fox and Gazelle starting to either bicker or flirt. There was a lot of talk using terms he hadn't heard since he'd been dragged to religious services as a kitten and at some point his mind decided to change it up. He found himself lying flat on his back as Gazelle woke him up by patting his paw.

He thought he was out of the nightmare and into a good, old-fashioned fan-boy dream, but the donuts acted up again.

Everything seemed vague and strange. The little fox hovered around them, destroying anything that he deemed a threat, while he and his idol enjoyed a little walk through a warzone. Store fronts were smashed, or burning, mammals were running for their lives. He even saw a group of mammals muttering something before they killed themselves in public.

The final confirmation came when Gazelle snatched their vulpine bodyguard into her arms, grabbed his paw and unfurled a pair of huge, golden wings. The flight was short, carrying the trio over the climate wall from the city center to Tundratown, but it was enough. He decided as soon as his paws touched the ground again that he needed to make an appointment with the precinct mental health staff. He was clearly under too much stress.

Judy felt the presence of her fellow angel a few panting breaths before seeing her. She only had time to register that there were other presences with her comrade before seeing them in the flesh. To her further surprise, her recent friend from the precinct was among them. Under other circumstances she would be thrilled to see him, in truth she was relieved to see he was unharmed, but this was not a good time for mortals to be around.

The shock at seeing the cheetah was compounded at the fact that both he and the other angel were being shoved forward rather unceremoniously by a demon. A few days previously, she would have been panicked at seeing a demon near one of her own. Now, she watched, not without a thrill of trepidation, as the shrimpy, infernal creature gave the two a final, solid heave before abandoning them and heading for the bar.

Judy was already sliding out of her seat when she saw Nick glide out of his own and head off wordlessly towards the other demon. She had a whole slew of new questions she wanted to ask, but priorities had changed. A whole world of trouble was mincing her way over as quickly as she could with a heaving, slightly disconnected felid in tow.

Judy prayed that she had the wits and quick thinking to get through this conversation.

Helping the Cursori settle her mortal charge into their booth was all the time it took for her bond mark to be noticed.

"Lieutenant…", the nauseated quaver in her voice was unmistakable.

"Yes, Cursori?" Judy answered in what she hoped was a steady voice.

"Is that... what I think it is?"

"A Bond Mark of the Summons. Yes."

"I've never seen one like that," the other angel stated, her curiosity obvious.

"I'm not surprised," the rabbit replied.

Judy took a moment to look at what was left of her Mark. The twining sleeve of haggard angles was smaller, barely larger that a long glove, and the depth of complexity in the pattern was staggering. It was supposedly a reflection of the depth of the relationship between the bonded pair, but now, it felt more like a labyrinth trapping her. The thrill and terror she felt at the thought made her feel ill as she watched the other angel work out the puzzle.

Horror and revulsion filled her expression as Gazelle choked out one word in a strangled whisper, "Abomination."

"Don't you dare start with me, Messenger. I have had too long a day to put up with the Host's sanctimonious crap." Judy's words flowed hot and venomous, very effectively shocking Gazelle into silence. "I am aware of what this spell is and what it means. Perhaps it would interest you to know that the demon wearing the other side of this Bond Mark is Wraith. I'll let you think about that for a moment."

The horror on her face seemed to increase at that revelation. It took a few moments of fish-like gasping, but the horned ruminant finally found her voice. "Wraith?"

"Yes. The mystery demon, himself. You know his file?"

"Very well," Gazelle said, around some rather unbecoming gagging. "He's been researched many times. I'm obligated to study all the missives and information I carry as part of my duties. His file is extensive."

"And yet, empty." Judy stood up on the seat and nudged a glass of water towards the other angel's hoof where she leaned against the table, openly using it to hold herself up.

"Yes." Gazelle sipped from the glass.

"Why do you suppose that is?" Judy asked as she sat down again, sipping her coffee. "With all the reports, so little information. Why?"

Judy watched as her comrade sipped at her water and the question was considered. "He must be very good."

"Yes, he must be." Judy fought to keep a straight face and not blush at the double entendre. "Very good and very powerful. Now, tell me, how would you handle such a demon?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Frontal assault is a hopeless option. He'd shrug off any major binding you could throw at him and kill you for the attempt. Reinforcements won't help and he can make himself almost untraceable. All of that is in his file. Others have tried all those things and failed. Usually to their undoing."

The grey was leeching out of Gazelle's face as Judy guided her along. The Cursori was no longer about to vomit and black out. The more Judy kept her talking and thinking, the surer she was that the Messenger would not stray from the lifeline she'd thrown her. There was a chance of maintaining the control she needed.

Gazelle's ruminations seemed to leave her unconvinced. "That is perhaps true, but this…"

"Is a way to keep tabs on him for observation. In these few days I've learned enough about him to fill out his complete assessment. Do you think the Summons was worth the risk, now?"

"All of it?" Gazelle asked, surprise clear on her muzzle.

"All."

"That is quite the accomplishment."

"I have a good thing going, here. I'm getting more information every hour and I am not about to lose that, not when it comes to Wraith." Judy could see the discomfort in the Messenger's face. "How else could he be contained?"

"I can't think of any, but it's an enormous risk. How did you manage it?"

"I know." Judy elected to ignore the second question.

"Exile, court martial. Execution, if you've been corrupted…"

"I haven't been."

Gazelle found some iron to fortify her spine with and spat, "I will not trust the word of a foolish angel who is fouled by a demon."

Steeling her gaze, Judy unfurled her halo and wings with a burst of divine power. The little corner of the nearly abandoned bar was suffused with radiance and Gazelle was stunned to silence, again.

Judy couldn't help but be smug as she asked, "Satisfied?"

"Ha-how..?" the Cursori stammered.

"I have remained uncorrupted."

"But… You are bound to him. How is this possible?"

"I want to say I'm just that good, but I honestly don't know." Judy sipped her coffee again, wishing for the first time it was something stronger.

"It means he has not laid a paw upon you. In any way…"

"He hasn't. He's been a complete gentlemammal." Then, grumbling mostly to herself, "Mostly." Seeing the look of awed disbelief on the ruminant's face, Judy added, "I don't know why, or what he's up to, but I know he is up to something."

"He is a demon."

Judy was surprised at the small flare of anger she felt at the comment. "Exactly." The word tasted like acid as she spoke it.

The Cursori's suspiciousness was finally broken. She still looked as though she might vomit, but she relented, much to Judy's relief. "I can not dispute what I have seen. You are pure and my acting commander. What are your orders?"

"The situation down here is unstable. Do you have enough power to get home?"

"Yes, but I will not be able to return."

A thrill ran through Judy from the tip of her tail to the crown of her head and she suddenly felt like she was floating. She would be the only angel on the mortal plane. She resisted the urge to glance at her bonded demon as he stood at the bar.

"So be it. Give me your phone." Gazelle offered her device and Judy took full advantage of her new authorities, overriding the security protocols. "I am transferring all of my reports to date to your phone. You will take this to the Host."

"We will assemble reinforcements and-"

"No!" Both females were surprised at her vehemence. "It's not safe. We just lost all the assets we had in the city. It's too high a risk to call in more."

"But you are at risk. We have highest priority orders from Command," Gazelle countered.

"They'll change their minds when they get this data," Judy assured the other angel.

"Lieutenant, you are in danger."

"Trust me, I am the last one you need to worry about in this situation."

"And what precisely gives you that impression?"

"I met the thing that is behind this. It wants to toy with me." Judy repressed a shudder of revulsion at the memory, needing the Cursori to trust in her authority.

"You met the demon?" Gazelle's eyes widened, then narrowed as she leaned closer to the bunny across the table.

Judy laughed hollowly. "It's not a demon. I know how that sounds, but no demon can do what this thing, whatever it is, can do."

"That- is difficult to believe."

"Read my reports and tell me I'm wrong."

The conviction in Judy's voice swayed the ruminant. It also frightened her. "What are your orders, acting commander Hopps?"

"Get home. Get my reports to Command. Once they've assessed the situation, they need to open a line of communication with me, here. I'll be the eyes and ears on the scene until we can get enough information to make an intelligent choice on how to proceed," Judy looked the Cursori in the eye as she laid out her orders. "Until then, we can't afford to put more angels at risk."

"I understand. It will be done."

"Good."

As was her habit, Gazelle read through the information she was to deliver in order to imprint it upon her memory. It was a safety measure in case documents were lost, stolen or misplaced. "Lieutenant, you have omitted Wraith's file."

"I have."

"May I ask why?"

In response, Judy held up her paw. "I had to explain this and some of what it means to him. He extracted a few… promises from me. I'll find a way to get the information to the Host. I just can't, yet."

"You're playing at intrigue with a demon?" incredulity tinged Gazelle's voice.

"I don't have a choice."

Judy was relieved to see Gazelle nod, albeit stiffly, and drop the line of inquiry. "And what should I tell them about your bonding?"

"As it's the truth, exactly what I told you. I'll worry about court martial and exile when this is over. I am prepared to take responsibility," Judy explained. "In the meantime, I have to deal with what's happening down here."

"Please, be careful, Lieutenant Hopps."

"It helps to have a demon bodyguard," Judy smirked and winked. Gazelle's expression softened slightly at the joke and Judy knew she was in the clear.

At that moment, Clawhauser's giggling got their attention. They had quite forgotten he was there, only realizing the depth of their error when the cat glanced to where Judy's halo had been moments ago. The angels shared a glance and turned their minds to damage control. They were not equipped to adjust a mortal's memories, so they had to rely on more traditional means.

Every angel was trained in how to handle mortals if they ever came into contact with them for whatever reason. There were simple psychological techniques they could use to diffuse tense situations, in addition to their celestial powers. Largely considered a joke by recruits, Judy was exceedingly glad the Host was so demanding of excellence in the class that covered these skill sets.

Very slowly, Judy reached out and rested her little paw on top of the felid's trembling paws. He was clasping his paws together so hard, Judy was sure she heard tendons straining under the pressure. While she provided direct comfort, Gazelle took up the support role and allowed her power to suffuse the immediate area a touch. The effect would calm and soothe, but not breach the Wager. The effect was slow, but it had to be, or it would simply make things worse. Judy had earned extra credit in that class for comparing it to treating hypothermia.

"Clawhauser? Can you hear me?" Judy took the high-pitched giggle as a sign he did. "I'm sorry it turned out like this, Ben."

"How do you know my name?"

"We spoke at the café the other day. Don't you remember?"

"I haven't been to a café in weeks. The last few days, I've been on triple duty because you disappeared. We all have!"

"What do you mean?"

"We got an anonymous tip that an officer was in distress. Chief Bogo announced an undercover officer was missing and he had reason to believe their cover had been blown, but gave no details other than your appearance and that you may be with a fox. We were to consider him armed and dangerous. We were not to engage him without SWAT and TUSK units involved. Half the city has been looking for you. What's going on?" The floodgates were opening.

"Sergeant,"

Hysteria began to taint the cheetah's words. "I saw DelGaato and his partner killed! I thought it was a dream."

"Ben…"

"It is a dream, right? It has to be a dream!"

Judy had to stop the panic before it became full-blown manic raving. She focused on the power in her voice. It became full, soothing, and compelling. "Benjamin, this is not a dream. It's real."

"It can't be." He was practically begging.

"Believe me, I wish that were true."

"I can't handle this."

"That's a lie and you know it. You're overwhelmed and scared, but you can handle this. You have to. There are innocent mammals counting on you to keep it together."

The look of fear and hope she got in return was a start, one she had to build on. At this point, Judy turned on the angelic influence; a power she seldom used. It was supposed to be applied to influence mortals as part of the Wager; to nudge their actions or mind towards righteousness. Now was a good time for a little divine assistance for the cheetah, she thought.

"Your fellow officers and the citizens you all serve need you. You're an officer of the law and a good mammal. Please, Ben. It's time for you to be more than just the desk sergeant," her voice rang with the type of forceful charasma used by many in power to strengthen the belief of others in themselves and their cause. As Judy watched she could see Clawhauser straighten in his seat; his shoulders squared, his ears perked, and his paws slowly unclenched beneath the rabbits much smaller one. "You're one of the last officers of Precinct One. They will be looking to you for guidance and direction. Give it to them."

Judy got a firm, if watery smile in reply and a small nod. It would be enough for the moment.

"I have to ask. Are you really an angel?" The words were so quiet they barely made it across the table, but the edge of giggling hysteria seemed to have subsided.

Judy smiled softly, her head tipping to one side. "Do you really want me to answer that?"

"Not really… I also shouldn't ask if the fox over there is a demon, then, should I?"

"Probably not."

At that, Clawhauser laughed. The angels breathed a sigh of relief. He'd be alright, eventually. Of course, that was when he took the rug out from under them.

"I thought I liked the bad boy type, but you've got me beat."

The chubby cheetah delivered his line less than a second before Judy saw Nick and his compatriot coming towards their booth. There was no time to respond. She could only hide her furiously red ears and hope Gazelle assumed it was embarrassment that colored them so.

Nick walked back to the booth he and Judy had commandeered to a scene from a daytime drama, or a blockbuster comedy. He was sure he'd just missed a punchline. The cheetah was looking shaken, but the gentle nimbus of angelic power surrounding him suggested he'd be fine. The horned angel was looking part stricken, part amused, part uncomfortable and one hundred percent awkward. It did nothing to detract from her considerable good looks, he noted. He also noted Finnick's low growl as he registered Nick's interest and the Cheetah's fawning attitude towards her. This was shaping up to be an amusing little meet-up.

The cherry on the sundae was his little angel catching sight of him and her nose twitching like it was trying to escape her muzzle.

In a fit of puckishness, he opened the bond and sent his amusement to her, along with one word.

Adorable.

The twitching somehow doubled in intensity. Her attempts to force her features into a grimace, or even an expression of wan disinterest failed spectacularly, leaving her looking either constipated, or possessing the countenance of a blushing schoolkit trying to hide their feelings in front of their parents. The red ears didn't help.

Nick grinned as he grabbed a chair and dragged it to the head of the booth. That placed him between the angels with the big cat on the other side of the Cursori. The last seat was on the other side of Judy. The little chess-move paid dividends instantly. Finnick's displeasure at having to walk under the table and clamber onto the bench seat was amusing, but the fact that Judy refused to move over, or even offer was very telling, as was the tension in her expression at his proximity to her fellow.

"So, what have you girls been chatting about?"

Gazelle blinked owlishly at him for his comment, Clawhauser giggled quietly and Judy rolled her eyes, but it was Finnick who responded.

"Wilde, this is not the time for your smarmy bullshit. It looks like a warzone out there. We need a plan of action."

"Which we have, unless I am mistaken." Nick looked at Judy and got a blank, fidgety stare in return. "it seems, I am mistaken." That earned him a punch to the shoulder.

"We don't have a full plan, just our end of it," Judy commented as the rest of the table blinked at her audacity. "Gazelle will return to the Host with the information we've gathered on our enemy. I will be the eyes of the Host here once Command makes contact. Clawhauser will return to the Precinct and help to stabilize the city." She turned back to Nick and crossed her arms. "And what will you contribute?"

Nick turned to the Cursori. "I have to ask, is your name truth in advertising, or just convenience?"

"It's her name. That's all you need to know, Nick."

"Oh, fine. You and I will find and take care of this little problem and Finnick will provide information," Nick supplied.

"He can do that?"Judy directed the query at Nick and was startled when the response came from the opposite direction.

"Damn right, rabbit," growled the petite fox.

"Finn isn't just an adorable little imp, he's quite well connected," Nick added in a sugary tone, smug pride showing through his words.

"Shut it, Wilde! You may be my boss, but I will turn your red ass into a hat, you keep talkin' cute."

Gazelle chimed in, rather imperiously, "So violent."

"You weren't complaining when I saved your tail, toots." There was a flash of sharp teeth with those words that caused a momentarily flicker of alarm in the Cursori's eyes.

Nick smirked as he watched the fireworks fly. Seeing his fellow demon bickering with the angel was diverting. It was also extremely telling. He was in no way surprised when he felt annoyance that was not his own moments before he heard the rabbit's voice in his mind.

What are you up to?

Whatever do you mean?

You goaded both of them into squabbling. Why?

Just doing a favor for a friend.

I fail to see how.

I've exposed her weakness. Now, he just has to figure it out.

You what?!

Judy was horrified. He was speaking truth. He had to. However, the idea that he had discerned it so easily was frightening. An angel was exposed to temptation and they had already lost so many. Before she could react, Nick spoke again.

Keep your fur on, Hopps. There's no need to do anything. The odds are long that Finn will even catch on, let alone care.

Wait a second. Why bother, then?

Because it's fun, for one thing.

Judy huffed into her paw as she leaned onto the table and side-eyed the fox.

And?

And he needs all the help he can get. I won't hand him anything. That's not our way. However, I can nudge things a bit to help him out, if he's smart enough to see it. He usually isn't.

Judy had to pause at this newly unearthed facet to the red-furred demon. Somehow, he was being kind to another demon and not really risking Gazelle. Or so he said. Judy wanted to ask, but there were higher priorities for her to address. She made a mental note to ask about it later and turned her mind to the matter at hand.

So, what is the actual plan, then?

Exactly what I said. The Cursori goes home after she pays her debt to Finnick…

Debt? What debt? She made a deal with a demon?!

The flat look she got from him told her that she had no room to talk. Embarrassed, she tried to save a little face.

How do you know? There's no mark on her.

Finnick is special. He doesn't leave marks. He can't. If you want the details, you can ask him. However, he never does anything for free. I don't know the terms, but your little pigeon over there owes him. He will collect, one way or another.

You intend to leave them to sort it out while we deal with that deer.

It'll keep them distracted until we get rid of her. By then, he'll have other things to think about. We need to work with as few tethers as possible.

Agreed.

Is that why you left my file out of the reports you gave her? Because you knew they'd send help if you did?

Judy's heart all but stopped. Her eyes darted to his arm where her Bond Mark was resting. It was as small as hers and it scared her.

I see you figured out there's a passive use for it, too.

Indeed. Quite useful to be able to listen in on your conversation, quietly. Your skill at equivocation is impressive, Carrots. I approve.

Burying the giddiness that his comment sparked in her, she forced herself back on topic.

What do we do?

First, we get you outfitted and get a hold of whatever information your CO had. They were looking for a demon, but we know better. All the evidence they had collected will help us understand what we're up against.

Then, we'll know how to fight it.

Yes.

Can Finnick really help us with intel?

I was joking when I said that, but I wasn't lying. He has a huge network in Hell. I think we're going to need it.

While Nick and Judy carried on their silent conversation, the others were quite verbose. Finnick's and Gazelle's comments weren't exactly pleasant, but they weren't nasty. A fact that was pointed out by a certain felid in terms of how odd it was that an angel and a demon were being so conscientious of each other's feelings in a conversation. At that point both entities realized they'd been bantering, not arguing.

Clawhauser's giggle at their shocked expressions queued the return of Nick and Judy to the regular conversation. A few minutes of awkwardness later Nick was standing with Judy, watching the others disappear back out into the night. Judy was uncertain about what was about to happen, while Nick, to her eyes, was enigmatic. It had been faint, but she'd caught the last whispered exchange that the fennec fox had with her infernal counterpart.

"The Templars are moving. You know what that means," rumbled the smaller of the two demons.

"It means Buffy is moving," Nick stated.

"The Devil would only mobilize his House guard for one reason, Nick. You know what's coming."

"I'll handle it, Finn."

"Hellhounds, Watchers and two Praetori Centurions, at least," Finnick hissed.

Nick sounded impressed despite himself. "Really, now…"

"He's serious, this time."

"So am I. I'll handle it, Finn.

Narrowed eyes peered up at the todd. "You better."

Judy was sure those two words were as close as the tiny demon would ever get to showing he cared for his friend in any way. However, she was more interested in the intelligence Nick had received. She wasn't supposed to know, obviously, but she did. The question was how she would handle it once Nick started making plans. She would have to wait and see.

She chewed on the problem the whole way back to his hotel.

The trip had been quiet in its own way, Judy mused as she dropped her jacket onto a chair. It was after midnight and the streets had grown quiet by the time they left their temporary sanctuary. Debris littered the streets and there was more breakage than usual, but the majority of the damage was out of sight. That was due, in part, to the fact that enough time had passed for clean up efforts to begin. The majority, however, was the route Nick chose to return by. Judy saw a full spread of side streets and byways on that early morning trek. That being the case, the trip took notably longer than expected.

Judy took her time and really considered the demon who was nonchalantly rummaging through the minifridge of his hotel room.

The entirety of the pedestrian route had been seemingly to avoid the worst of the damage, but had also obviously resulted in avoiding mortals or enclosed spaces. Not really a surprise, but the fact that he subtly kept within arm's reach of her at all times was significant. The incident in the catacombs kept coming back to mind as she thought through his recent behavior. Training as a guardian wasn't a huge surprise, but the instant reaction he had to a significant threat was; both for its immediacy and the fact that she was treated as the principle.

Only the highest and most stalwart of Guardians were forced to train to that degree and they were never, ever quick to choose a principle to defend. They were among the rarest of angels and, to her knowledge, there hadn't been a new angel raised to their rank in eons; not since the court marshal of the traitor angels, long before she herself came into being.

"You ok, Carrots?"

Judy snapped back into focus, realizing she'd been staring. "Yes! Yes, I'm fine. Just a bit tired."

"I can believe it. Why don't you hit the hay?"

"No, I'll just have some coffee…" Judy shook her head in protest. There was far too much to do.

Nick arched a brow at her before asking, "You sure you don't want to just keep ogling me, instead?"

"I wasn't!"

"If you stared any harder, you'd burn a hole on my back pocket, sweetheart."

"I wasn't!" she insisted. "If I was you'd know I was lying when I said it!"

"Ah, yes… The bond." Nick paused and Judy thought for a moment she was safe. "You want to though."

"No!"

"Lie!"

"I'm going to bed," Judy announced, rather more loudly than was necessary, before turning on her heel.

"Probably wise," Nick conceded sweetly. "I'll see you in the morning."

Abruptly she stopped, half turning to look at the fox. "Hang on. Where am I sleeping?"

"You're asking that now? You must be flustered." Before Judy could retort, the fox continued. "Take the bed. It's clean and probably the safest place in the suite."

"And where do you think you're sleeping?" The challenge in her voice was clear as day and she hoped it didn't sound hopeful.

Nick smiled. "I'm sleeping on the couch, but before I do I need to have a little chat with my armor and deal with my hungers."

A sick thrill rolled through her as Judy digested the implications of his statement. "I told you that I wouldn't let you feed on mortals."

"Are you volunteering to be dinner?" Nick's lascivious smirk stole Judy's voice entirely. He chuckled and leaned back against the doorjamb to the bedroom. "I don't need to feed, rabbit. I have a few… countermeasures I can use to put it off. However…" Nick locked eyes with her and Judy's heart rate skyrocketed. "Don't think I can do it forever. I will need to feed my sins, eventually."

With that statement hanging on the air, Nick slipped into his bedroom and Judy followed timidly as far as the door. She trusted him to a point, but her apprehension warring with her excitement left her uncertain of what to do and extremely uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, Nick was pleased. His gambit had paid off and the rabbit was too wrapped up in her head to pay too much attention. He quickly extracted the metal key hidden in his arm and opened the compartment in the back of his chest. He managed to get a pawful of coins into his pocket, the compartment closed and the key returned to its hiding spot before the rabbit worked up the courage to peek in after him.

Opening the top of the chest in her view, he pulled out a pair of silver Coins. Before he let the lid fall closed, he palmed a small cloth bag and turned to her. Holding up the silvers, he stated, "I can use these to blunt the hungers, but it's only a stopgap measure."

"Is it safe?" Her voice sounded timid and concerned to his ears. It was pleasing to his Pride to hear her sounding so concerned. He didn't expect to feel so elated from it, however, and pushed it to the back of his mind.

"It is, but not terribly comfortable. While you have a rest, I'll talk to Lefty and the gang, then use the coins."

"Should I stay with you?"

Nick chuckled darkly. "That would be a bad idea. It'll be easier if I'm alone."

The changing emotions on her face were quite an amusing show. Nick found it cute how badly she wanted to ask. Her decision not to was wise of her and convenient for him. He was good at bending words and he hadn't lied, but any further and he would have to work hard to get what he wanted. He was also running short on time.

Finally, she relented, sagging visibly to his eyes.

"Alright. I need sleep, anyway."

"Good bunny," Nick commented as he passed her, patting her head. Judy smacked at his paw, but didn't seem too angry as she did so. There was a hint of a smile on her face, as well. "Sleep well, Carrots."

"Are you sure you'll be ok?" she asked one last time, unable to help herself.

Nick theatrically rolled his eyes. "Yes, Carrots. I'll be fine."

Nick watched, a sardonic expression on his features until the door closed. Then, the mask fell away and he was pure focus. He opened his senses. The Bond would give him away if he used it, so he relied on his own powers. A silver coin shimmered out of being and Nick's ears told him everything he needed to know. He quietly waited and let the sounds of the next room paint a picture in his mind.

Mercifully, Judy was true to her word and quickly settled under the blankets. The moment her breathing evened out and deepened another silver coin vanished. Nick wove spells in silence, drawing on the air. One to give ease, another to deepen sleep and another to alarm the door. If she were to wake and leave the room he would know, no matter how far away he was.

Once he was done, he settled his coat back on his shoulders and slipped out the door of the suite. Spells rose around his temporary home, defending it and her. Nick grinned as he pulled the little pouch from his pocket. It had been too long since he'd hunted hellhounds.