PENRYN- I held my breath nervously, I hadn't seen my dad since he had left when I was 13. Plus I never fully had forgiven him for leaving me and Paige with my mother.

Raffe placed a warm hand on my shoulder "we'll be out in a minute" Raffe told Sam. Giving us a minute alone, Sam left back outside, "what's wrong?" Raffe said low in my ear. I released the breath I was holding "nothing, just surprised" I lied and gave him an attempted reassuring smile.

He gave me an I-Don't-Believe-You-But-I'll-Go-With-It look. Standing nervously, I walked over to the door. Raffe on my heels, giving myself a mental prep talk, I opened the door and walked out.

My dad stood standing, his light brown hair that was usually in a clean haircut was outgrown and shaggy, he wore a tan t-shirt and jeans, with hiking boots. Walking over to him, Raffe stepped away from me to give me space.

My dad ran toward me his arms stretched out in a hug, backing away from him I arched a brow "what do you think you're doing?" I asked.

My dad dropped his arms, "giving my daughter a hug… Penryn. It's me" my dad gave me a soft look. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest, "yeah I know", "you're still mad aren't you?" he asked. I forced a smile, "wait where's Paige?" he asked, "inside" I said. "Can I see her?" he asked, I pursed my lips "alright, but you're not going to stare" I warned and began to walk inside.

Going over to Paige's room, she smiled when I entered "hey sweetie. Want to know who's here to see you" I smiled. Paige tilted her head "dad's outside. Do you want to see him?" I asked. Paige nodded excitedly until her scars began to stretch. Holding her hand I walked with her to the door, "ready?" I asked softly.

Paige looked up at me and smiled, opening the door. My dad's smile faded as he looked at Paige, I narrowed my eyes in a warning to him. He forced a smile and Paige hugged him, "Penryn we need to talk" my dad said. I arched a brow and Paige let go of him, my dad yanked on my arm and dragged me away "how could you let this happen to her?! I put you in charge"- I felt rage boiling hot in my stomach and warm my skin.

Shoving my arm back to my side, I resisted the urge to slap him. "Don't you do it. Don't you dare tell me it's my fault. You're the one that left. I'm the one that went looking for her, where were you?" I snapped back him.

RAFFE- I watched while Penryn's father grabbed Penryn again, quickly walking behind her. I unsheathed the scythes on my wings making sure they stood out, he released Penryn immediately.

She didn't look at me but she leaned into me, out of thanks or support I wasn't sure. "Raphael?" he looked at me in surprise, I held my breath in recognition.

Penryn wiped around, disbelief in her midnight eyes, "It- it's been a long time" he shuddered. Penryn backed away from the both of us "one of you start explaining. Now" she demanded, her voice was laced with fear and worry. I opened my mouth to say something but I closed it…. Her father looked at her, "I once knew Raphael, when you were seven. I- I tried to convince him Nephilium weren't evil." Penryn shot me a worried look.

"I told you it was true…." He mumbled, I could see Penryn taking deep breaths "what are you saying?" Penryn turned to him. "Her name was Mari. I'm sorry Penryn, I should have told you, let me ex"- Penryn's skin went from its beautiful sun-kissed ivory color to a dead white. "Uriel was right" Penryn whispered and her breath began to shallow out. "Get out of here" I growled at him and held Penryn in my arms.

Penryn went limp in my arms, picking her up, I quickly got her inside and raced upstairs to my room.

Once inside and safe, I pulled her back to my chest and she took deep breaths.

"Shh, it's okay. Nothing's going to happen, it's okay" I said softly. Penryn went tense and rigid in my arms, "Raffe….. Uriel was right. I'm Nephilium. Raffe what am I supposed to do?" she whimpered. I held her tighter "don't worry about it. I'll get to the bottom of this, I promise… Nothing with hurt you. Not Uriel, not Hellion's or demons, and especially not me" I vowed to her.

"What was he trying to convince you about?" she asked, "Penryn I don't thi"- "Tell me." She said sternly.

I sighed and stroked her hair, "he tried to tell me… That once, Nephilium grew older. The evil wore out. I didn't believe him, I had always killed the things when they were young… ages of 3 three I would guess." I admitted to her.

Penryn held her breath, "great. So I'm a demon that you've hunted for thousands of years" she brought her knees up and buried her face into them.

PENRYN- My whole world was officially thrown upside down, I didn't know if I should believe my father or think he was lying.

Raffe rubbed my shoulders, "shh, I'm right here, I always will be" he whispered softly. I leaned into his touch and let him calm me down, "do you think it's true?" I asked quietly.

Raffe continued to rub my shoulders, "in all honesty. I don't know, but I do know. No matter who- or what you are. I do and will love you." He kissed my cheek.

"If you want, we'll leave in the morning" he mumbled. "Raffe, you don't have to bring me along anymore. Our deals done. You have your wings, I have Paige" I regretted the words. Raffe kissed me again, "I know, but I could use some help with finding someone to re-attach them" he smiled. I sighed and nodded, "yes. I'll go with you" I smiled.

Raffe hugged me from behind "I already knew you would" he said. I playfully elbowed him. He chuckled and twisted me around to face him, tilting my chin up, he gave me a lopsided grin and pressed his lips to mine. I smiled and kissed him back.

Lightning flashed across the window and thunder rumbled through the sky. I pulled back in surprise, "what? Is my warrior afraid of thunder and lightning?" Raffe arched a brow. "I thought I lost my warrior status?" I asked. "It takes a warrior to express their feelings, but it takes a stronger warrior, to hold them in to not worry others. You regained it a while ago" he shrugged.

I rolled my eyes, rain began pitter-pattering against the window. The door downstairs opened and closed, "where's Raffe and Penryn?" Sam's voice echoed through the house. I began to get up but Raffe grabbed me, and pulled me back. "Let them guess" he grinned devilishly.

I arched a brow at him "what do you mean?" I asked. Raffe pulled me to his chest, "I heard Sam, You, Lou and Lisa's conversation this morning" he grinned. I blushed widely, "ha- um. Oh, really?" I stuttered. Raffe tucked my hair behind my ear "yeah, I did. Pretty entertaining I might add. What was with the gagging noise? The idea of us- that bad?" he teased me. "No! Wait…Yes, dammit Raffe." I crossed my arms over my chest in defeat. He laughed, "relax I'm just teasing you, but I will want an answer one day" he nudged me.

I rolled my eyes with a grin and leaned against his chest.