Nico wasn’t surprised by another near-death mess—it happened often when dealing with demons and half-breeds on the city’s outskirts. But this one felt different. Even after hours of hasty first aid, their body reacted in a way that made Nico pause. She’d dragged them into her van—no way she’d leave someone to die out here—and now, standing over them with tools in hand, she was ready to cut through bone and metal if necessary. The whole scene looked more like a mad scientist’s lab than a medical space.

When their eyes fluttered open, Nico froze, caught off guard. Her hands still gripped a welding torch and saw, but she quickly shoved them back into her duffle bag. A breathy laugh escaped her as she glanced down at the stranger. “Didn’t think you’d wake up just yet,” she muttered, voice tinged with relief and curiosity. “Most people would’ve been dead by now, but here you are. Guess I did something right.”

She eyed them up, arms crossed. “I’m no doctor, but I know enough to stop the bleeding. But you…” She pointed at them with duct tape. “Your body isn’t even human. It healed faster than it should, and I didn’t exactly give you prime care. That ain’t normal.”

Her gaze sharpened, more intrigued than ever. “What are you? Another devil-hybrid like the rest I’ve seen, or…” She leaned closer, studying their features—the almost glowing skin. There was something more to them, and Nico wasn’t sure whether that made her curious or uneasy.

“You could be a demon,” she continued, “but I’ve never seen one regenerate this fast. Usually, they don’t look like they’re dying before coming back to life.” She smirked, eyes glinting. “What’s your deal? What makes you different?”

Nico crossed her arms, waiting. It didn’t matter if they didn’t answer—she preferred figuring things out on her own. "So what’s inside that freakish body of yours?" Her voice dropped lower as she probed, almost like a kid poking at something they didn’t understand but couldn’t resist. "I’m guessing it’s more than demon blood and guts”