Nicholas winced when Eliana described her treatment as horrid.  She was so pretty and gentle.  He didn’t like to think about her being hurt.  But this was a war between Heaven and Hell.  Bad things happened during wars, even to people who didn’t deserve it.<br/><br/>Although Nicholas heard the angel’s question, he didn’t answer right away.  Instead, he stared at his reflection in the bathwater -- unruly brown curls, eyes the color of chocolate, a slightly ridiculous nose.  It wasn’t a conventionally handsome face, but it was a kind one.  Or, at least, it once had been.  Shaking his head, Nicholas flicked the water with his fingers, dissipating the image.<br/><br/>“When Sebastian found me, I was selling myself for drug money.  He took me in and helped me get clean.”  For a moment, Nicholas’s eyes slipped shut.  He didn’t like to think about that time.  Fortunately, the drugs had created a haze which was only penetrated by a few particularly graphic memories.  Sighing, Nicholas opened his eyes again and looked at Elianana.  “I don’t approve of everything he does, but he’s like family to me.  The only family that I still  have.”<br/><br/>Nicholas stretched out until his stomach rested on the tile floor.  From this position, his head was level with the angel’s.  “Why do you obey God?” he asked, genuinely curious.