"I could really use your help right about now."

The shrub said nothing as my bundle of flowers fell over. Sighing heavily, I propped it back up again.

"Niko," I whispered sadly.

Wiping away the tears, I sat upright and tried to find something positive to tell him. There wasn't much, and I knew that it would slowly degrade into the negative. We take the good with the bad, like always.

"Kannon took me for my first driving lesson. It was fun once I got past the scariness of it all. You didn't hear it, but we might have taken the next step. We're official. I suppose that's a thing, right?"

It will undoubtedly annoy Audrey to learn that we're dating. I would like to think that she's only trying to upset me, but I had a sneaking suspicion that she was after Kannon as a way into the vampire world. It certainly made sense considering she was desperate to be included in this nonsense with Drakkus.

"We've made the connection. Brad filed the paperwork today. My fingers are crossed, and I hope yours are too. The Nephilim guy appeared again. He said my dad is a witch, and that's why they're coming for me. I don't understand why they care. I know what Kannon said, and it kind of makes sense, but really, why can't they leave me alone? Am I hurting anyone by being alive? This would be so much easier if you were here to explain it to me."

But he wasn't, which was more crushing than I thought possible.

Hearing a crunch, I knew that Kannon was closing in on me. He'd gone for a walk in the opposite direction and said he'd take a slow walk back here so that I had time with Niko. I think that he was more worried than what Brad was. Brad didn't like that I came in here but let me because he knew where I was and that I wouldn't stay for too long.

I was slowly letting go, not that I wanted to. It had only been a few days with Niko, but there was something wonderful about what we had. It was like there was a sense of understanding that I couldn't find anywhere else in this world. Not with Brad, not with Kannon.

I should be used to death by now. Before my mother died, we lived in the roughest part of the city. Death was as common as the sun. I'd open the curtains of a morning and see a man running down the street, stolen goods in his arms. Seconds later, the cops would be chasing him, and the gunfight would happen. Sometimes it would be a robbery, and the victim would fight back. Drug users unable to pay. Drug runners stealing. It was why I wasn't surprised that my mother died. I was used to it and expected it, but in a way, I didn't really expect it.

I think that I knew it would happen. Like a whisper in the back of my mind that would never leave, it reminded me that it was only a matter of time before she left me. I hoped that it was wrong. Unfortunately, it wasn't.

Rising to my feet, I flicked away the leaves and said goodbye to Niko. Kannon was leaning against a tree trunk at the end of the path. Within sight but far enough away to still be respectful.

"Do your parents know where you are?"

Kannon chuckled softly as his arms wrapped around me. Mine was around his waist, hugging him tightly. I was falling hard.

"They do. I got the lecture about behaving myself and being respectful to our new leader. Not sure what they'll say about the rest of the stuff."

Ah, the rest of the stuff. He leaned down and took a kiss, adding to the list of stuff. It was the most that we'd done, but there was a lot of it. We were addicted to each other.

"Come on, Brad will be worried."

I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

"You'll soon learn that it is normal for Brad."

"Still not a good time to be in a place that you should not be."

"Everyone fears the woods but never says why. Do you know why?"

"Yep. Witches used to hang out in there, casting spells and stuff. It's a little further into the center, you can't miss it, but you should. Well, maybe not you seeing as you are half-witch anyway. A lot of the kids go out there to make a mess of the place. It's like a big game. There are no witches in this town, but there's some kind of spell that rectifies all the issues. They turn a rock the wrong way, and the next day it's back in the correct place. Break a branch. It's fixed."

We walked through the forest, hand in hand. Before we reached the edge, Kannon lifted our linked hands, kissing the back of my hand. I smiled, feeling a whole lot of things that have never been inside me before.

Returning to the house, we did homework. It was as thrilling as it sounds, but I suppose that it kept Brad happy. He managed to acquire a dining table that was perfect for the two of us to work at.

Life, like always, liked to throw mighty curve balls at me. When I was at my happiest, it reminded me that death was always a step behind me.

Or, in this case, standing behind Kannon.

The Nephilim boy stared at me, and all I could do was wonder how long I had before the rest of them turned up.

"I'm glad you're back," Brad said as he approached. "They had space, so they've set the meeting for today. The woman said that everything was in order and there shouldn't be any issues, so she offered to get it done."

"So, we're going now?"

He nodded, grabbing the keys off the kitchen counter.

Kannon came with us, pointing things out in the town as we passed them. I was yet to check out Hades. Before Niko's death, I didn't want any part of the town. In the short time of knowing him, the place had improved. Now though, it felt cold and lifeless.

We entered the meeting room, and I was surprised to see the large turnout, given that it was a spur of the moment thing.

"Who are these people?" I whispered to Kannon.

"A few of those who know everything, some who know nothing, the panel, and my parents."

He gave me a sheepish grin.

"I sent them a message. They wanted to be here for it. You know, support and all that."

I nodded with a vague smile, unsure of what to say, aside from a little gratitude.

In the council meeting room, the Heritage Trust sat in panel formation at the top of the room, facing rows of chairs.

Brad and I walked in when our names were called. The Heritage Trust watched as we approached, and those who were in the seats turned to see who was walking in. The last of the Corbin family.

Kannon smiled at me. In the seats beside him were a couple that I presume were his parents. They offered smiles, I tried to smile, but it probably looked weird. I was nervous.

Brad and I sat in the seats allocated to us. The copies of the submitted documents were safely stowed in his folder, along with other things he thought we might need.

"We are here to review the application for the acceptance of beneficiary of the Corbin Estate by Evelyn Newton, overseen by her legal guardian Bradley Newton."

The man whacked his gavel. I said nothing but thought it was curious that he had one. I didn't think that this was a courtroom.

"You have provided sufficient evidence of your relationship to Niko Corbin. The death certificates have provided a list of all offspring which proves that there are no other living beneficiaries. You have also provided a will for Niko Corbin, which states the original beneficiary of his estate is his daughter or if she has passed before claiming the estate, her next of kin shall be the beneficiary. In ordinary circumstances, we would ask to see the will documents from each of the beneficiaries so that we can see the chain as it passes from one person to the next. However, we find the maintenance of the house to be a strain on the funding that we get from the government. It does not cover the house as the government does not see it as a house worthy of heritage listing and claims that our officials were wrong to take it in as a noteworthy place. We have unanimously agreed that passing the house back to the original family is in the Heritage Trust's best interest, and therefore, we approve your application."

With another whack of the gavel, I became a homeowner.

"The transfer documents will be created, lodged, and you will be advised of the change of ownership in due course. There is one notation that we'd like to add to this approval. We will be putting the ownership in both names as we believe that your parents, Bradley, would have given to each of their children equally. Evelyn, you will retain your mother's portion of her inheritance, and Bradley will retain his."

Still just as amazing. I'd happily share the house with Brad for the rest of our lives.

"Thank you," I said.

Brad collected the documents he didn't need. A woman approached with a temporary document that proved we'd been given approval and we were now the legal owners of the house.

"Thanks," he said, adding it to the folder.

"It is our pleasure. We've waited a long time to see the Corbin family return to this town."

The woman smiled at me, and I saw the fangs.

"You have more allies than you realize. Be strong friends. With perseverance, we will win the battle."

She returned to her position behind the panel, and the guards ushered everyone who didn't need to be there out.

"Who was that woman?" I whispered.

"Natalia Eastwell. After Niko disappeared, she got a position on the panel and convinced them to retain the house as a heritage-listed place. She is the only reason that Drakkus couldn't get his hands on it. Which, I don't know if he would want the house, maybe just a few things inside it."

"It's not about the possessions. It's about domination."

The man held his hand out with a beaming smile that was so familiar.

"Eddios Lothaire,"

I smiled, feeling somewhat awkward as I shook his hand. Kannon's mother was next.

"My lovely wife, Iralya,"

The woman was all too eager. As I shook her hand, I wondered if she was seconds away from a curtsey. Or, God forbid, a hug.

"It's so lovely to meet you. Kannon has told us a lot about you."

"Mom," he hissed.

I looked at him and saw those blushed cheeks again.

"Oh, it's alright, honey." she cooed.

Brad edged his way behind the vampires, looking at me with a smug smile. Meeting the boyfriend's parents was such a fun time.

"You know what we should do? Celebrate the positive outcome."

Iralya turned to Brad with shock and hope in her eyes.

"Do you guys consume anything other than blood?"

"In small amounts, we can digest a few things."

"Though most often, we regret it. Many choose to avoid it altogether, but I find some items to be quite indulgent. I'll pick up some things, and we'll stop by later. Say, seven?"

"Sounds great."

Kannon smirked at me. Were his parents and my uncle about to have a party and get drunk? Maybe. Would they spend the night and early hours enjoying good company and not notice anything else? Perhaps.

I smiled and said nothing but my mind was going faster than what I could keep up with.