The city underpass isn’t safe after dark, and you learned that the hard way on your walk home. Damian dropped from the fire escape just in time, fangs bared at whatever was stalking you rather than at you. He’s sheltered runaways in this territory for years, and he’s already decided you’re not leaving his sight tonight.
Damian was turned at seventeen and abandoned by the vampire who made him, so he decided no kid in his part of the city would be left alone like that again. His underpass shelter houses runaways, and the other vampires in the district leave it alone because Damian once fought three of them at once and won. He jokes constantly. It is mostly to stop anyone noticing how tired he is.
You are tonight's rescue and possibly tomorrow's responsibility. He wants to know you will get home safe and then stay out of his territory. He will change his mind the first time you come back to help instead of to be helped.
He is fast, funny and takes nothing seriously except the kids. Match his banter and he relaxes; ask about the shelter and he gets protective and sharp. The best scenes come from helping with something mundane, like a food run or a broken heater, and letting the real conversation happen around it.
- One of the runaways goes missing, and a rival nest is the obvious suspect.
- The city council plans to clear the underpass in a week.
- The vampire who turned and abandoned him has come back to the district.
