The creature sat upon it’s perch atop the cathedral, it’s taloned toes and clawed fingers digging into the ancient stone. Membranous wings stretched from the creature three fingered hands to its ankles much like a bat’s. Opening it’s over sized maw and letting out a yattering yon. Silver scales covering it leathery body glinted in the pail light of the crescent moon and the few stars that twinkled despite an over casted sky.

Stretching out it’s arms the beast took wing on the first breeze that could support it’s meager weight. A double ridge of spines ran down the creature’s back from shoulders to it’s stub tail. A crown of horn like bumps combined with too small glittering dark eyes, a pushed in pug like snout, flappy bat like ears, and protruding crooked over sized fangs, gave it’s face a gnarled appearance.

Gliding on the breeze, the beasty let out a joyous whoop of garbled laughter, enjoying the feel of the wind on its wings. But it’s pleaser quickly evaporated, as a high pitched scream, broke through the silence of the night.

The creature backed winged, hovering for a moment, taking in the seen below it before diving towards its intended pray.

* * * *

Diana, walked swiftly, the only sound the soft clicking of her heels, she tugged at the hem of her short silver sequenced skirt, and pulling her jacket around her self more snugly, as she silently cursed Victoria for ditching her at the club for a couple of guys.

She hadn’t even wanted to go clubbing, it had been Vicky’s Then she had ditched Diana at the first opportunity. They had had a few dinks, Diana soda, Vicky something fruity that smelled strongly of alcohol.

Once Vicky had found someone else to hang with she had left Diana to her own devices. Diana had stayed at the club for a while longer to watch over her friend but had eventually lost track of her. She had learned from an acquaintance that Victoria had been seen slipping out the back with two guys, one on each arm.

Diana was pissed, no more then pissed she was furious. How could Vicky be so irresponsible? It wasn’t like they were good friends or anything but they were roommates…

The sound of a shoe scuffing against stone made her jump. She looked about, but saw no one lurking in the shadows behind her. As the hairs on he back of her neck stood, Diana felt a sense of unease envelop her. She barrowed deeper into her too thin jacket and picked up her pace as she head for the collage dorms.

Though she tried to shake it off the unease that someone was fallowing her, watching her, had Diana jumping at every shadow and sound. Her hart was pounding so hard that she was certain that it would beat its way out of her chest.

As the campus gates came into view, she breathed a sigh of relief. Not bothering to check her pace Diana hurried along, intent on her destination.

As a hand slapped over her mouth and a strong arm wrapped around her torso, she was pulled off her feet. Diana struggled and tried to scream as she was dragged into an alley.

She kicked, and scratched, and flailed about trying to get free of her captor. It wasn’t until she managed to bite down on his palm and tasted blood that draped his hand and swore. But it wasn’t until she screamed and caught the large muscle in her though with the heel of her stiletto that he dropped her.

Diana scrambled away, heading for the light at the mouth of the alleyway. But her captor quickly regained his bearings. With a few long strides he caught up to her once more. With one massive blow he backhanded Diana, sending her flying into the wall behind them.

With a sickening crack, her head struck stone, and her body crumpled into a pile amongst the filth of the alley. The man crouched over the girl’s still form, checking for a pulse and breath. With a grunt of satisfaction he picked the girl up and swung her over his shoulder. His employer waned the wench alive, she wasn’t worth as much dead.

He stalked deeper into the shadows, he heard an odd flapping sound. The brute stopped and looked about, but could see nothing, and dismissed the sound.

Rounding a corner in the depth of the alley, he put the woman down on the filth covered pavement. Pulling her jacket open the man admired her silver sequenced skirt and matching top, before he set to work, making sure this was to woman he had been sent for.

Skin like ice milk, and smoky brown curls. He pried open her eyes to make sure of the color, blue gray. He checked fore her purse and swore when he couldn’t find it, realizing she must have dropped it when he had grabbed her.

Not wanting to risk someone stumbling upon her while he searched for it, he tore her jacket from her back. Turning her on her side he began examining her left shoulder searching for… Ah! There it was, the upside-down crescent moon shaped scare.

His employer was a rare sub species of supernatural. His species was so rare that there were only fifty of them in the U.S. and less then five hundred in the entirety of the world.

And this woman, Diana Maillard, was a carrier of his employer’s race. And his employer was a man coming to the end of his years, he needed a breeder to continue his line, and that is was this woman would become. And that is what this woman would become… whether she wanted to or not.

And it was his job she was delivered to the boss.

An unearthly screeching had the man spinning, calling flames to dance across his fingers. He was a son of Ukobach, a minor fire demon. As a demon-born his part of his father’s gift was his to command. Dropping the woman gently on the pavement, he slipped his free hand into his pocket and pulled out a nasty looking switchblade. Opening the switchblade and tossing it into his flaming hand. The flame quickly took to the steel, dancing across its length.

He spun in a slow circle, eyes darting from left to right. Nothing…

The horrifying screech sounded once more, giving the son of Ukobach just enough time to see the his attacker before the beast collided with his head, knocking the demon-born thug to the ground.

Rolling on to his stomach, the man pushed himself up by his elbows. He moved slowly until he had a good view of the creature now crouched beside the unconscious woman.

The beast was some kind of sickly cross between lizard and bat. The man watched transfixed as the monster sniffed the woman, before it rounded on him, bearing its gnarled fangs.

The man gave himself but a moment to consider his chances against the beast, before surging to his feet and stumbled down and out of the alleyway.

Once the man was out of site the creature returned it’s attention to the fallen woman. As the beast nudged her Diana slowly began to rouse. Her head was pounding. She felt dizzy and nauseous Pushing herself up into a sitting position, Diana took in her surroundings.

. She was still in the alley, further in but still… That’s when she saw the beast. It was quite the homeliness little creature she had ever seen. The combination of it’s smooshed in face and crooked, protruding teeth, mixed with that squat little body, it was the oddest ugliest thing she had had ever seen. In fact the beast was so ugly it was cute.

Diana stretched out a cautious hand, and smiled when the monster waged it’s little stubbed tail. She scratched behind one frilled ear, and the beast closed it’s eyes, leaning into her hand, enjoying the attention.

“Are you the reason I’m still here?” She asked softly, the beast just “Gwafed” at her.

“What are you…?” Diana asked in amazement.

After giving the girl rough, licking kisses, the beast jumped away from Diana, and leapt on to a nearby stone wall. It’s talons sinking into brick as it climbed. Diana watched in awe as the creature climbed to the roof of the nearest building and took wing on a current of air.

Sighing to her self Diana climbed to her feet and made her way down the alley. And was surprised to her peruse laying on the side walk just out side the mouth of the alleyway. Digging into the bag Diana fished out her cell phone and called for a cab to take her to the nearest hospital.

* * * *

The creature alighted upon it’s perch atop the cathedral, talons and claws sinking into familiar ancient stone. Settling down the beast stretched out on it’s perch and watched the sky as it began to lighten with the coming of dawn.

The first rays of sunrise glinted off the stone spires of the cathedral and the gargoyles that rested among them.