Chapter 1

I always did like to make a grand entrance. Unfurling my wings I slid in between the newbie necromancer and the two paladins. Surprisingly there were enough streetlights working tonight to make it easy to see.

“What’s up boys?” I asked sardonically.

The two men in front of me pulled up and readjusted their weapons. Short swords and pistols.

“Just bringing in a rogue Necro, no concern of yours, fiend.” The blonde haired do gooder replied. His swarthy counterpart stood up a bit taller, probably trying to look more intimidating.

I laughed. Playing with newbie Paladins was so much fun.

“Well far be it for me to interfere with such esteemed paragons of virtue as yourselves.” I replied. “But I have to ask, do either of you have a detainment writ for this poor little lady?”

The look on their face was priceless. I knew they were expecting something different. Damned if I didn’t like stirring the pot.

“Because if you don’t, I would have to take exception to you attacking a fellow supernatural. As the one who would be taking exception to you attacking a fellow super, then I would be honor bound to formally defend her against any threats. Since I now choose to place this young woman under my care and protection, you would be honor bound to attempt to incapacitate me.”

I couldn’t help but smile.

“In other words, bring it.”

It was over quick. They split up with one going to the right and the other going to the left.

I launched a fire bolt at Blondie and rolled into Swarthy’s attack. Coming up under his guard, I hit him the throat then turned the body to act as a shield. Blondie had managed to avoid most of the firebolt and leveled his gun at me. He held his shot so as not to hit his friend. Using a burst of magic infused strength I threw Swarthy at Blondie. As they crashed together to the ground I sent two invisible tendrils of power to them. Once the tendrils locked on I started drawing power from them and using it to give me strength. Strengthening my wing muscles with stolen power I lifted the two wanna be white knights and held them against the wall of the abandoned factory about 20 feet off the ground. Then I summoned hell forged shackles and attached them to the wall with some telekinesis. After snapping the shackles around their wrists I released the soul siphon tendrils and let them hang. Swarthy was gasping for air. I slapped Blondie to get him out of his daze.

“Your compadre is going to need some help. I would get on the Pally head radio and get a big boy or two to come pick up the pups.”

Ignoring both the cursing and the gasping from the suspended paladins, I turned my attention to the cause of our little dust up. The figure was small and huddled against the wall next to a dumpster. The green shield she had up was thick enough to obscure fine details about her. Looking at the energy shield I was impressed. Those two yahoos would have been beating on that for a while. She had some power, why didn’t she handle those guys then? I was intrigued. I dismissed my wings and other fiendish traits. Now I looked like the human I was. I extended my hand to her.

“I am Martin Melshembar, I am not sure how familiar you are with supernatural law but I offer you sanctuary which legally prohibits me from causing you any harm. If you come with me I can get you a safe place to sleep, a couple warm meals, and a hot shower or bath. If you choose not to accept, you can walk away but I would get out of the area as quickly as possible. Pretty soon there will be at least four Paladins in really crappy moods looking for you.”