Demetri ran as far as he was able before he had to stop. He wasn't as strong as he typically would be. He hadn't been able to hunt for a meal and being inside the church had weakened him. 

He thought about the young girl who had released him from those torturous bonds. He would have to go back to thank her and to make certain she was safe. 

First he must hunt and regain his strength.

He could hear the noises at the church and knew that he couldn't take the time to hunt. He needed to go and make sure they didn't hurt his angel.

He ran back to the church and stayed in the shadows. He stopped where they couldn't see him and listened trying to find her inside. Once he found her, he raced to her room.

He looked around a room that seemed to be empty, but her heart beat gave her away to his overly sensitive ears. He walked over to her and held his hand out to her.

"You saved me. Allow me to return the favor. Come with me."

He knew that his speed of travel was unnatural and would probably scare her. He did not want that, especially at a time when it could endanger them both if she screamed or made any noise to draw attention to them.

He heard them come through her door almost as soon as he had taken her out the window. He could hear them yelling as he ran through the forest with her. Thankfully the trees gave them cover from the moon light. The priests could look for years and never find them.

Once at his home, he bolted the door from anybody looking to come inside and sat her gently on one of the chairs. 

"You may open your eyes now. We are safe."

He nodded and looked around the old home. It was full of old furniture that was probably older than her great grandparents, but it was clean, warm, and safe.

"I have drink and food, if you are of need of it. I can have my butler prepare something for you, if you wish."

He was certain that she had little food given to her at the church. He could tell when he had her in his arms that she was little more than skin and bones. If he had any desire to feed from her, she would have been little more than an appetizer.

Demetri nodded and smiled softly at the young girl. He could see that she was still scared. That was understandable after the treatment she had endured.

"Have you always lived at the church? Did you have a family before that you can remember?"

He wanted to help reunite her with her family if it was possible. She had helped him, and he wanted to help her in return.

He listened to what she said and thought about a story he had once heard. Could this be the girl he had been looking for?

"How old are you? Where you born to a vampire, or created by one?"

He was hoping this was the girl so his search would finally be over and he could stop his travels.

He smiled when she said that. His search was over.

"I have been searching for you your entire life. I was given the task of protecting you. I am sorry that I failed."

Demetri explained to her about her parents and how they had been killed by the priests. He had promised her parents to find her and protect her. He had spent all of his time searching for her.

"Your parents loved you. I promise you that. They died trying to protect you."

"You are safe here, Nattie. If you wish to go somewhere else, I will go and ensure your safety there also."

He realized that he had never told her his name. She knew hers because of her parents.

"My name is Demetri. Your father was my best friend."

He smiled and was glad that she was starting to relax more. He was hoping that she would feel comfortable enough to rest and maybe eat. 

He pointed to the large over the fireplace.

"That is your father and myself. Your mother took the picture not long before your birth."

Demetri looked at the picture of his friend. He missed him a lot.

"He was. He had the woman he loved by his side and was expecting the child they never thought they would be able to have. Everything he ever wanted was right there with him at that moment."

He didn't say it out loud but he couldn't help thinking how just a few months later he would be dead and their child would be missing.

He pointed to a smaller picture on the mantle. It was of a man and a woman on what was obviously their wedding day.

"Your mother and father. You look very much like her. I am sure you have her intelligence and her kind heart also."

He watched her and was glad to see her smile.

He led her to a room near his. He opened the door and let her go inside first.

"This room had been your father's room before he married your mother and moved out. It is still exactly how he left it. They stayed here after you were born. They had used it as a safe house to hide from those who were after you."

He thought about it then gave a small smile.

"I guess you could say that this was your first home."

He kept his eyes on her as she looked around the room.

"This is your home for as long as you want to stay. When you decide to leave, I go with you. I made a promise to your parents to protect you and I intend to keep that promise."

He nodded and smiled softly at her.

"I can take you to some of the favorite places your parents enjoyed visiting. I have been to many of them myself over the years. I think you will enjoy them."

He enjoyed seeing her smile. It made him happier than it probably should have, but he was not going to worry about that at the moment. 

"I will let you get settled. I have to step out for a bit. I will not be far. I will be able to hear you if you need anything. My butler will be able to see to your needs also. You can trust him. He knew your parents well. He actually worked for your father."

He only tuned her out long enough to locate the bear that he was after. Once he had it, he listened for her again. He smiled as he heard her in the shower. He knew he shouldn't be listening so he let his hearing move to the rest of the house and the surrounding area. Everything was clear and safe.

He listened further away and could hear the priests. He smiled when heard them suggest that she was dead or would soon be since it was still freezing cold in this area. He knew this was good news since they would no longer be looking for her.

He smiled at the young girl.

"I did. I thank you very much for your help. You are always welcome at the house. I am sure she would like a friend. I do not think she has any."

"I will let her know that you will be visiting. That way you do not frighten her."

The last thing he wanted right now was for Nattie to be scared. She was finally starting to relax.

"I need to get back to the house. I told her that I would not be away long."

He pointed to the bear laying on the ground nearby.

"I am finished with him if you would like to have him for your pack."

He often gave Rei his kill after a hunt. He knew that her pack would use the meat. He hated leaving the animal to rot when it could be used.

He walked back into his house. He went to his own room for a quick shower to clean the blood from himself.

He tapped on her door once he had dressed. He waited for her response before opening the door.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were already in bed."

He nodded and quietly shut the door. He did not want the butler to see her in her night clothes. That would be highly inappropriate.

"I just wanted to make certain that you did not need anything."

He nodded and smiled softly at her.

"This is now your home. If you need anything, please help yourself. Raul is here to help you also if you need him."