Athena kept her arm wrapped around Celso's as they got near to where Celso took her the first time. He stopped before the wall and began to press against it. Athena took this time to look back to see Derek glaring at Athena's arm touching Celso's. She rolled her eyes and faced forward.

Her brother needed to get used to this. She felt better when she was with Celso. Even if he was on the other side of the room and she couldn't touch him, she would still feel at ease. Hopefully, when Celso explains everything, Derek will understand and at least tolerate him.

I hope.

The wall separated and Celso's living room opened up to them. Celso motioned for Athena to go ahead of him then waited for Derek to follow suit. Derek hesitated at first but then followed Athena into the room.

Athena immediately went to the couch she sat on this morning. She smiled to herself as the memories of this morning came into her mind. She couldn't believe that everything happened just today. She came to her senses when she felt the couch give beside her. Looking over, she saw Celso sitting there. His body was stiff and he was clutching and unclutching his hands.

Derek stayed where he was and didn't sit down anywhere. He was too busy looking around the room with wide eyes. "Is there another door to this place or is it only through that wall?"

"There's not another door," Celso simply answered him.

"Can anyone open it?"

"No. Only me."

Derek seemed to be processing it when he looked over at Celso. His eyes became harsh and he crossed his arms. "What is it that you wanted to explain in private?" he hissed.

Athena huffed at her brother's rude behavior. She felt a hand cover her own and looked to see Celso trying to keep his anger in as well. She gave it a squeeze to encourage him to answer.

Celso took a deep breath and explained everything that he explained to Athena to Derek. It took longer than before because Derek kept interrupting and he wouldn't let Celso finish his explanation. Athena had to get onto Derek for him to be quiet.

She hated getting onto him, but sometimes he could act like a child.

Once Celso was done, he leaned back and waited for Derek to speak. Athena watched Derek carefully trying to figure out what emotion he was having. His face didn't display any and it was hard for her to read him.

"Derek?" Athena piped up. "Please, say something."

Derek ignored her and walked over to a chair. He sat down and ran his hands through his hair. He then began laughing.

"What's so funny?" Athena asked quickly. She was now growing agitated.

Derek shook his head and controlled his laughter to a chuckle. "Do you really believe all this, Athena?"

"Yes, I do!" Athena countered. "Why wouldn't I?"

Derek laughed again. "Because, there's no such thing as demons or anything he told us. He's just trying to use you!"

"I would never-!" Celso started to retaliate, but Athena squeezed his hand harder and that made him be quiet.

"How do you explain the figure back there that attacked Celso and me?" Athena questioned him. "It was too tall to be a human and it's eyes weren't the color of human eyes. They were red! What else has red eyes if not a human? Demons, Derek! That's who! If you don't believe it, fine, but let me tell you that I do. I believe what Celso has told me."

"Why would you believe him so fast?" Derek countered. "You just met the guy!"

Athena shrugged. "I don't know. I just have a feeling in my gut that I should trust whatever he tells me. He's protecting me, Derek."

Derek shook his head and ran his hands through his hair. "Why do you want to protect my sister, Celso?"

Celso took a deep breath to calm himself down before answering him. "Because I feel drawn to her. That's what I'm supposed to do and that was what I was trained to do. Protectors are exactly what they sound like: we protect people. Every protector doesn't know who they are assigned to until they meet them. When they do they are pulled towards them and no matter how hard they try, they can't get away. They always find their way back to the person." Celso stole a glance towards Athena and she gave him a smile.

Derek let that sink in a bit before raising another question. "Does Athena feel this pull?"

Celso looked at Athena for her to answer. She hesitated a bit before replying, "Yes."

Derek stood up and walked to the wall. "I need some time to think this over."

Celso nodded understandingly as he stood up and walked over to the wall. He opened it up for Derek and he walked through. Derek didn't even turn around to say goodbye, he just left. Celso looked over at Athena before closing the wall. He came back and sat down next to her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to him.

She rested her head on his shoulder. "He'll come around," she tried to reassure him, but he stayed quiet. She looked up. "Did you get hurt?"

Celso shook his head. "I'm fine. The scratches will heal." He paused before taking a deep breath. He ran his hand down his face as he unwrapped himself from her. "Athena," he sighed. "I don't want you to get hurt."

"I won't-"

"You could," he interrupted her. He turned to her. "I need to not worry when I'm fighting a demon - or some kind of spirit - where you are and what you are doing. I need to know that you are somewhere safe." Athena opened her mouth to argue, but he put up his hand to silence her. "I truly appreciate your concern, but you should have gone with your brother today. You could have gotten hurt and it would be my fault for not protecting you enough." He grabbed both of her hands and held onto them tightly. "Please, just promise me that you will never ever try that again."

Athena looked down at her hands and nodded. "I just didn't want to see you get hurt."

Cello grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. "I'm careful." He rested his forehead against hers. "Promise me."

"I promise."

Celso released a sigh of relief. "You never got to eat. Come, I'll take you somewhere." He stood up and pulled her beside him. They walked through the opened wall and down a narrow street. They came to a metal stairwell and Celso began to climb it. Athena hesitated following him up for a second. She grabbed the cold metal railing and pulled herself up the stairs. Athena met Celso up on top of the buildings roof. He was smiling and waiting patiently for her.

Athena looked down and suddenly became queasy. She felt a hand grab her arm and she turned to look at Celso.

"You're afraid of heights, aren't you?" he asked with concern laced in his voice. Athena nodded. He pulled her closer and wrapped an arm around her waist. "I'll protect you," he whispered in her ear.

She smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder. She looked around her and noticed that they were in a rooftop restaurant. Lights hung over their heads and tables were placed periodically around them.

A young hostess came up to them and took them to their seat. Celso specifically asked for a table in the middle. Athena sat down at her seat and waited for Celso to do the same. Once they were both seated, Celso ordered something for both of them. He spoke in fluid Italian.

When the hostess was gone, Athena turned to Celso. "What did you order me?"

Celso leaned back in his chair and pushed his hair aside out of his face. "You'll like it. Trust me."

Athena smiled and leaned forward on her elbows. "Where did you learn to speak Italian?"

Celso shrugged. "I learned it in the academy I was in. Everyone was taught the language of the country they would make their new home."

"So, did you get to pick where you wanted to go?"

"No," he shook his head. "I'm glad I'm here, to be honest. I wouldn't trade being here for the world." Celso stopped talking when an old man came up to their table. He stood up and hugged the older man.

They pulled away and smiled at each other. "It's great to see you again ma' boy!" the old man's joyful voice boomed.

"You as well!"

The old man looked over Celso's shoulder at Athena. "I see you've found your pull." He stuck out his wrinkly hand towards her. "What's your name, darling?"

Athena smiled and grabbed his hand to shake it. "Athena Pierce, sir."

"What a beautiful name!" The man pointed to himself and introduced him, "The names Royle."

"Royle was one of my teachers back home," Celso explained as he came to stand beside Athena. "He got me to focus when I first went." He walked away and pulled up another chair. He sat down beside Athena and Royle sat in Celso's seat across from them.

Royle leaned back in his chair. "Celso was a trouble maker, mind you. He was always getting detentions and other forms of punishments his first year."

Athena looked at Celso and smirked. "Really?"

Celso rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, but remember, I didn't want to be there! You and my parents forced me to go to that academy!"

Royle smiled at him and nodded. "Yes, I remember. On the other hand, you probably would be dead by now if you didn't go." Royle looked at Athena and saw her confused expression. "So, you haven't told her yet?"

Celso looked down at his lap. "No. It wasn't the time yet."

Royle and Athena studied Celso for a while before Royle piped up. "Well, I'll take that as my time to leave." He got up and clapped a hand on Celso's shoulder. He bent over and whispered something in his ear before saying goodbye and walking away.

Athena was silent for a few moments. She kept repeating what Royle said in her head. If he hadn't gone to the academy, he would be dead. How?

"How?" Athena asked him.

Celso shook his head. "I don't want to talk about it." He didn't look at her.

"Why?"

Celso sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Because, I don't want to."

"What's so bad about that story that you can't tell me?"

"Drop it," he said through clenched teeth.

"What if I don't?"

Celso growled and banged his fist on the table. "Athena, I said drop it!"

Athena jumped at the loud sound and stared at him. She then got up and walked quickly away from him. She ignored him calling her and focused on getting down the stairs. She walked towards the hotel and didn't give a look behind her.

The sun had set and she was covered in darkness. The light poles let off a little bit of light. Just enough so she could see where she was stepping and what was in front of her.

She didn't care if they had just met if he was going to be her protector, he had to tell her everything. She would tell him things that she hasn't told Derek. In her mind, it was just fair.

She eventually found her way to the hotel and up to her room. She walked in and laid on the bed. She turned on her TV and stared at the figures running across the screen. Suddenly, she heard the patter of rain hit against the window.

Perfect, she thought bitterly. What a perfect way to end the day.

She didn't know how long she had been sitting there, but she was almost asleep when she heard a loud knock at the door.

"Who could that be?" she grumbled.