"Perhaps I was not clear enough for you. Leave now, or I will call the cops."

The vampire chuckled mercilessly. It sent a shiver up my spine. The dark tone of his amusement was another attempt to threaten Brad and, in turn, me. I'm sure he could detect another heartbeat close to him.

"We own this town." the vampire hissed. "Your precious cop is on our master's payroll. I know that you are fully aware of what I am and what you are facing. You know the danger that is in front of you, yet you foolishly hide Niko with the belief that he will protect you when our master comes calling. You will regret that, Mister Newton. That little chain will do nothing for you. You best get yourself something worthy to protect her. Otherwise, you will be on the ground dying, listening to her beg you for help. Will he come to her defense? Will he save you before death takes you? I don't think so."

I could see Brad's jaw clench tight. He was struggling to remain strong.

"Until next time."

The shadows slowly faded from the glass panels, Brad watched, and after a few seconds, he closed the door.

He turned and looked at me. Both of us were lost. Brad had just faced off against a vampire that essentially threatened our lives because he would not hand Niko over to them. Someone that he barely knew, Brad protected, and it could be the death of us.

"I hope you know what you're doing here, Evie."

"Me? I know nothing."

"Why are we trusting our lives to this vampire?"

"Because it's the right thing to do."

Brad's eyes shifted to the empty room. Walking quickly, he checked out the area and saw that we were alone.

"Pack your things quickly. We're leaving."

"Niko said that it won't help me."

"That was about the Nephilim thing. These vampires have directly threatened us, whereas that boy just keeps appearing. He's not the threat here. They are."

"You're wrong. He said they're coming for you. That sounds like a threat to me. Our best option is here with Niko. We have not been a part of this world. We've got no idea what the right thing to do is, but he does."

Brad gestured to the empty room.

"You mean the vampire that left when danger showed up."

"He would be somewhere close, don't be so judgmental."

"Why are you so insistent on keeping him safe at the cost of your own life?"

"You did too."

"No, Evie. I stood my ground to keep them on the other side of the door. Because of that, they will return, and next time, we won't be so lucky. Come on, what's the deal? Are you in love with him?"

"No," I hissed.

I moved to avoid Brad's hard glare, but he shifted back into my space, blocking me from leaving.

"Get out of my way."

"Not until you tell me what's going on."

Brad moved in step with me, getting in my way and generally being annoying.

"Stop it."

"No. You are going to tell me why you are insisting that we stay here with this creature."

The frustration began to set in, overwhelming me to the point that tears were rolling down my cheeks.

"Because I want to, alright?"

"No. It's not alright. You've done nothing but complain about being here, cut school, whined, and done all that you could to drag it down. Now when I give you the green light to leave, you don't want to. There is only one thing that has changed, and that is the vampire who I know for a fact won't leave this town either. So, either you tell me what's going on, or I will assume the worst. Given that you are still a minor, I will be packing everything, and we will be leaving. If he's touched you, he'll find a stake in his heart."

"It's not like that."

"Then tell me what it is like."

"I need him."

Brad's frown deepened. His jaw clenched tight again. I wiped the tears away, smiling despite how sad I felt at the moment.

"It's not like that. It just feels like he completes us, you know?"

I got nothing from Brad.

"Almost like I've got two dads. We're like this weird family. I haven't had a normal one, but this felt like it fitted me. Of all the places that we've been to, I've never felt like it was right for us. Niko changed that. I had someone else to talk to, and please don't start about friends. That doesn't work. I've tried and failed so many times. I don't like this town, but he made it less terrible."

"Two dads, huh?"

I nodded, trying not to laugh.

Brad sighed, dragging me in for a hug. They were rare for us. I think that Brad didn't want to invade my space, letting me adjust to the new world that included a man that I barely knew. We were getting there. Slowly but perfectly.

"Alright, Evie. We'll stay and fight with the vampire."

Niko emerged about ten minutes after the conversation. Brad and I were sitting at the breakfast counter, eating the quick dinner that he'd made. It was grilled cheese sandwiches, and they were delicious. I don't know how he did it, but they were always so much better than when I made them.

"Where the hell did you go?" Brad snapped.

"To the other side of the street to watch from a different angle and to remove myself from the house. They would have detected me if I remained, which is why they left so easily. Had I been here, they would have pushed through the door and searched for me. Without me here, they would have resorted to plan b, which was to frighten you into leaving."

"So, what happens now?"

"They will have returned to the leader's house and discussed what they found. With me not being in the house, they will try to figure out where I am. It is unlikely that anyone that has been trapped in pure darkness for so many years will easily go out into the afternoon sun, so they will assume that I am in the forest. They might pre-empt their leaders' thoughts and search the forest before returning, but I doubt it. Most followers lack initiative and do not want to presume what their leader wants, especially one that is known for being so volatile. They will return though, do not doubt that for a second. The best-case scenario is after eight pm, when the humans in this town seem to retreat to their homes. Worst case is anywhere between now and then which shows that they do not care what the humans see."

"He said that they own this town, cops included."

Niko moved around the kitchen bench, gliding his fingers over the work surface.

"Yes, that is standard. Vampires tend to leave a trail of death, so ensuring that the local law enforcement looks the other way is rather necessary."

Brad picked up the empty plate in front of me, adding it to his own.

"It's going to be a long night. Evie, you better prepare yourself in case we have to flee the house."

Sliding off the stool, I looked at Brad, who was occupied with cleaning the plates. Niko looked between us and offered a vague shrug. Something was off, and I think I knew what.

Moving around to the hall, I leaned against the wall and waited. It didn't take long for Brad to say something.

"She has this ridiculous notion of making you a part of an odd family with us. I hope for her sake that you're not planning on stabbing us in the back when things get ugly."

"I would die for her," Niko whispered. "And you too, if you were wondering. The two of you have accepted me. You let me remain in this house while knowing that I could be your death. You have kept your word by refusing entry to my enemies. You have put yourself and Evelyn in danger, and you are still here. For that, I would show you and Evelyn endless devotion."

"Do you love her?"

"As a father would a child. You are right to be concerned, but you needn't worry. Evelyn reminds me of my daughter. She was a child when I begged her mother to flee. It was a mistake. I know that now."

"They're dead?"

"Unfortunately, yes. I kept her hidden for as long as I could, but the weight of his presence meant that I had to either introduce her to this world or continue to hide her in another location. One held a greater risk than the other, so I went with the best option. I said goodbye to the best things that ever happened to me, and I have spent every day and night since then regretting that decision. To learn of their passing was not easy, and it is why I am so incredibly happy that you are here and not leaving this town. I don't know what will happen, but I do know that running away will not solve our problems."

Quietly, I walked up the corridor to the stairs. My room sat at the front of the house, over the guest room. Dressing for warmth, I tightened my laces and pulled my jacket on. I could feel the cold permeating through the windows. Crossing the room, I thought that if we managed to get any sleep tonight, I'd prefer that it wasn't so frosty in my room.

Looking out the window was a mistake or the best thing I've ever done, depending on how a person looked at the situation. With a gasp, I turned and rushed down the stairs.

Niko and Brad were still in the kitchen, turning to me as I skidded on the wooden floor.

"There's a lot of vampires out on the street."

Niko pulled the curtain back, looking at the forest.

"Empty. Interesting."

"Then run."

"I will not abandon either of you."

"No, but you will lure them away." Brad offered. "Is it better to fight as a group or on your own? We are pretty much useless."

"And I have been trapped behind a wall for sixty years. No part of this is going to work easily. Come with me."

Niko led us to the hall cupboard, opened the doors, and lowered to the floor. With a thump of his fist, one of the wood panels came free. He reached in and dragged out a rifle, handing it to Brad. Next came the bullets.

"Just the one?"

"There is only one of me. However, the cavity is full of bullets."

Niko handed another box of bullets. Our pockets were full of them now. I zipped my pockets shut, hoping they wouldn't make too much noise if I had to be quiet.

"What's the plan?"

"Approach, let them speak their mind, and then shoot anyone that takes a step closer."

"Will this work?" I asked. "I thought that their head had to be removed."

"Unfortunately, it is only a temporary measure, but it is enough to show that you are a threat and that you will do everything you can to stop them. Regardless, a bullet wound does pose a problem in the immediate future. They would lose a lot of blood which is a dangerous situation for a vampire. Any that are shot would need to retreat to somewhere safe, remove the bullet and then feed to ensure continuing health. They would do this at their own dwelling as it is common to pass out because of the blood loss."

"So, you're saying shoot all of them, so they have to run away?"

Niko offered a devilish smile.

"Soundstruly perfect."