Hours had passed since I had agreed to travel with the demon. We had already covered miles of ground and a small town appeared in the distance. My heart plummeted as we started down the gentle hill. The valley spread out before us bare and exposed. It was mostly farmland. With my good vision I could see many bodies moving around the fields and on the road.

"You are tense." I jumped at the sound of his voice and intense heat burned through my entire body. Wincing at the pain, I breathed deeply before glancing at the tall dark haired man beside me. "Are your injuries bothering you?"

I shook my head and another spasm of heat washed over me as a horse whinnied from behind us. Luca reached to me and gently guided me to the edge of the road before I could even react to him touching me. Two men were laughing as they drove a cart past us toward the little village. I couldn't stop my body from going ridged with fear. I hated humans. They were cruel, heartless creatures that enjoyed watching suffering.

The cart was halfway down the hill before I could gather my senses. "I'm gonna have to shift before we go farther, otherwise I'll lose my shape in front of everyone." I stepped away from him, miserably, ashamed at my weakness.

"Which form do you choose?" There was no judgment in his voice as he asked.

I studied his concerned face in shock. It took me a moment to gather my thoughts enough to remember he had asked me a question. I shook my head briefly to refocus and responded. "There are a few options that I would be okay with. I don't want to change into anything that is too defenseless. The two that wouldn't look as odd may get one or both of us injured. As a horse you could ride. Problem is that if something startles me, which it will, I will react as a normal horse and probably dump you in the dirt. As a hawk I'd tear your shoulder or your arm open with my claws."

I hesitated, unsure and Luca spoke again. "What would you be more comfortable with, Oriah? I don't really care if humans think I look strange. I'm a demon. My eyes glow silver and I have claws."

I didn't answer him out loud. Instead I released the pent up heat and energy, allowing the power to change my bones into the shape of a wolf. Soft red and grey fur covered my skin. The change wasn't physically painful, instead it was refreshing. The pain eased and my muscles relaxed.

Unfortunately the calm didn't stay. Terror made my fur stand on end. Expecting rejection or retaliation, I cowered in the dirt at his feet. I had already begun to hope, to stupidly crave his acceptance. Maybe I'd never learn. "Get up Oriah." He growled. I obeyed, stiffly. "Do not cower before me. You already claimed you belong to no one. I am not your master." He turned and started down the hill again. Unsure of whether he wanted me to follow or not I waited painfully, tight.

Luca turned back and studied me. I simply gazed back, waiting. The mild irritation left his icy gaze and the silver melted into a slightly warmer shade. Realization washed over his face and he shook his head sadly. "I'm not gonna chase you away, Oriah. Come here." He lowered to a knee and I closed the feet between us in an instant. Gently gripping handfuls of my scruff, Luca pulled the skin in soothing circles on either side of my face. "You change into animals and heal. I'm a demon. That's not strange to me. I won't shun you for it."

He let go and I pressed my nose into his chest gratefully. He smiled and unfolded to his full height. In this form he towered over me but for the first time I felt no fear. I didn't cringe away from him. When he turned and started walking again I fell in beside his lean calves. A feeling of peace washed over me, and then another human approached us and my happiness receded. I switched sides, placing Luca between me and the woman. Her dark eyes flashed nervously as she glanced at me and I bristled, with a hostile glare. She looked at Luca for the first time and froze with a gasp.

He looked at her and she seemed to shrink under his gaze. Boldness washed over her features suddenly, overcoming the fear and she spoke in a soft melodic voice. "Are you simply passing through, Sir, or would you like to speak to the village leader?"

"Who are you to ask me?" He asked her emotionlessly.

"He is my father." Her frame tightened nervously. I knew instinctively what was running through her mind. If Luca desired to control this town politically, this girl was the answer.

Luca smiled once, in an attempt to reassure and said gently, "I would enjoy meeting your father. I only hope the rest of your people are as accepting as you seem to be."

An inner conflict was obvious by her features. After another second she asked him quietly, "Have you come peacefully or are you intending on slaughtering my village?"

Luca shook his head silently. Accepting that as her only answer the girl turned and led us into the town.