”…okay…” She immediately recognized the name of course – He was one of the wealthiest, most influential men in the city. That he would be involved in something that was, to say the least, shady, came as no great surprise to her. Rich men rarely got to be rich men by playing by the rules. ”Do you know why?”

”I imagine I would have been destined for a laboratory somewhere.” She replied, not telling Elisa that there was more to it than that of course.

”Okay… that makes about as much sense as anything I suppose… And, the wings and everything?” She asked. ”Did those… come from a laboratory somewhere, or did you come by them naturally?”

”…Naturally. Humans aren’t the only species that call this world home, detective… At one time, there were many like me.” She explained in a softer voice. ”Whole clans…”

”…what happened to them?” Elisa asked.

”Your kind.” Demona told her accusingly, her eyes growing hard. ”Humans have always hunted us.”

”That’s…” Elisa couldn’t quite think of anything to say to that. She looked into the other woman’s eyes. ”You’re telling the truth, aren’t you?”

”Traditionally, my kind do not lie… though, I have had to learn over the years.” She confessed. ”There are not many of us left, I think.” She admitted.

”…well, I somehow don’t think bringing you down to the station to give a statement would do anyone any good, least of all either of us. But, are you sure you don’t want my help?” Elisa asked. ”I’m not sure what I could do, but… I want to try, if you’ll let me. I know some first aide at least, I dated a nurse for a while…” She told her.

They heard sirens in the distance.

”Sounds like someone called in the disturbance.” Elisa observed.

”I need to leave.” Demona told her, getting to her feet and groaning a little from the effort.

”Can you, um, can you fly?” Elisa asked.

Demona looked at her and a hint of a smile crossed her lips. ”I can manage.” Though, privately, she was less than completely sure of that. She still felt dizzy from all the electricity they’d pumped through her.

”…one of them got away, you know.” Elisa told her. ”I counted when I first came in. One of the two men I shot in the shoulder is missing. Could they have… reinforcements? Nearby?”