The following night I decided to take some concrete action that might get him to leave for good. I lined the door of my balcony with salt and also hung some charms desperately hoping it would work. After that, I set a chair down facing the balcony and waited. Silence followed for hours as I sat hearing the tick of the clock, counting down every second. Finally, the time of his arrival approached. My breath hitched with anticipation and anxiety.

Thud!

His boots struck the floor as he landed swiftly. I almost fell off my chair startled by it but I regained my composure quickly. I did not want to look timid this time. I wanted to stand my ground.

His eyes went to the charms, then down to the line of salt and finally rested on me. I smirked, thinking I had finally defeated him.

"You decorated I see." His voice could reach me through the glass as he made a vague gesture at the charms. I studied his expression and he did not seem distressed at all which in turn began distressing me. Why weren't the charms working?

I got up from my chair and hurried towards the door to clearly see what was happening. I rested both of my palms against the glass and peeped as much as I could.

"And what is that?" He mumbled to himself and got down on the floor on one knee to examine the salt. He took some of it in his hand and rubbed it between his index finger and thumb. Next moment, he put the sample in his mouth to taste. I was thoroughly shocked witnessing it all unfold in front of me.

"This is called 'salt', right?" He suddenly looked up at me and asked. I remained quiet, my face wearing possibly the most horrified expression I have ever made. So everything I had heard about warding off demons was a lie? That meant I had no defense now.

I didn't realize he had gotten up in the meantime, unscathed by every barrier I put between us save for the glass door that was still doing its job. The next moment that was also gone when he opened it like he had done the previous night and suddenly the support I was resting against was gone. I flailed my arms as my body went forward and I saw myself going towards the one I was avoiding like the plague...

...except he moved to the side smoothly, dodging me entirely and I landed on the floor face first.

Groaning, I got up and resting on my knees, I rubbed on my nose because it hurt the most. Just then, I suddenly realized I was out in the open with him towering above, staring at me with the same blank expression that he had on our first encounter. I quickly got up, more like stumbled and ran inside, locking the door once again. Once I was in I examined the scrapings I had gotten on my hands at face because of the fall.

"I told you I won't hurt you." He stood against the glass the same way I was standing moments ago.

"That doesn't matter. You can't be here. It's my house." I reiterated.

"Why? You don't like guests?" He said with an air of amusement.

"Guests are people I'm friends with or at least acquainted with, not... beings like you." I vaguely gestured towards his huge wings.

"So then let me be your friend." He exclaimed without missing a beat.

"What?No! Why would you even want that? I'm just a human."

"There is no other place in this city where I can rest without being seen and I like how quiet it is here so I am not giving up this place." He paused and then continued with a tired sigh, "And if being friends with a human is what it takes to be here then so be it."

"You completely misunderstood the point!" I exclaimed.

"I think I understood just fine." He crossed his arms nonchalantly.

I felt like I had reached a dead-end with the situation I was in. I was out of options at this time. Maybe I needed to look at the whole thing from a new perspective, I thought.

It was true he hadn't tried to harm me in any way and it was also true that he did not seem at all keen on violence or destruction. It was also true that he must not have been what I have heard demons were supposed to be because if that were true the charms would have worked. I looked up at him once again and found him looking at me with anticipation. There had to be something that I didn't know and suddenly I found myself very curious to find out more about him. I was given this perfect opportunity to be able to interact with someone who I, until two days ago, thought only existed in stories. Provided I approach this with carefulness this could turn into something interesting.

I slowly opened the door once I had made a decision. Steeling myself I stepped out into the balcony and stood in front of him.

"Before I agree to anything," I began after clearing my throat, "is this going to be one of those things where you get to take my soul in the end?"

"No-wha-of course not!" He scrunched his face in ridicule, "Where are you getting these ideas from?"

"Don't even try to fool me! I have read stories! I know things!" I exclaimed with conviction.

"You should read fewer stories." He calmly declared as if he was sharing some great wisdom.

"Well, okay then. You can come here... but NOT everyday! I don't like guests all the time. I need my peace. " I finally gave my answer.

"I heard humans like company." He tilted his head in confusion. It seemed to be a habit of his.

"You should listen to fewer people," I commented and walked back inside locking the door behind me. I figured it was time he left and he did so without saying anything else.