A twig snapped in the distance, and we both turned in that direction. It was darkness, pure and unrelenting black that could hide so many issues. A shiver crept up my spine, fear filling my mind of what might be watching us. What was out there?

"Inside now," Anzide said softly.

Taking my hand, he pulled me across the lawn as I looked back at the forest. I saw the darkness consume the trees as if it was a fog.

"Anzide," I whimpered.

"You asked for protection. Well, you're getting it."

The door was opened, and Anzide looked at the vampires.

"Get inside, or you will die."

They practically pushed me out of the way to get into the house.

"Tell the others to get inside as well. Ensure all the windows and doors are locked. Perform your protection from within the house for tonight."

They nodded, setting to their tasks quickly. Brad was in the kitchen, quietly watching the situation unfold.

"What is going on, and who the hell are you?"

"Anzide in his true form."

Brad was quietly stunned.

"Those that govern the Nephilim's duties thought the façade of the teenager would be more approachable and engaging."

"Right," he drawled out. "But this is the real you?"

"It is."

"And what's got you two in a spin?"

I pointed through the glass. Brad stepped back to look out the kitchen window.

"All I see is a dark night. Lots of cloud cover, which is expected because it's going to rain in Hades. No surprises there."

"It's not cloud cover or the night. It is the demon."

"Yeah, I was going to ask you about that. I don't recall this ever being discussed. You said that it was your principal?"

I nodded, sitting down at the dining table. Brad and Anzide joined me.

"You can tell him."

Anzide nodded. I had to say, his attitude had improved. That was a bonus, in my opinion.

"Demons are notoriously solitary creatures. They are not supposed to reside in this land but many find it to be more accommodating that the place where all eternal creatures should reside. How they are in this land is vastly different to what they are usually. They feast upon the souls of the departed and will reside in towns like this one, which has a strong vampire population. From what we have observed of their time in this land, they create a symbiotic relationship that the vampires are often unaware of because they have no idea that the demon is living in the town. The demon keeps the townsfolk oblivious to the high death rate, and in return, it gets lots of lovely souls to feed on. To keep the population up, the demon will cast a lure out occasionally."

"A lure? Like the things they stick on fishing rods?"

Anzide smiled, laughing softly.

"The idea of what you are asking is correct. A demon lure is very simple. The demon will travel to a town. They don't have specific areas assigned to them, but they do like to remain solitary in their control of the town they pick. A demon will whisper into a few people's minds in various locations that traveling to the town would be a great idea. Sometimes they suggest a holiday, sometimes for work. The reasons are always varied to avoid a pattern that will lead to detection. Then he returns to the town and waits. Visitors come, they might stay, or it might just be a visit. They may die in the town, and they may walk away unscathed. Death is the ultimate goal. If the demon doesn't get what he wants, then he has to cast the lure out again."

"We really are in hell."

"No, no. Hades is not hell, and the demon is not the devil." Anzide offered. "Demons are more common than you think."

"So, do we kill it?"

Anzide shook his head with a determined stare pinned on Brad.

"No. Aside from the fact that you could not do that, it is pointless. He will reappear somewhere else in this town as another figure, and once that happens, you will never find him again. There is also a high chance that this town has more than one demon, even if they don't like to share. You're better off keeping him within your sight so that you know exactly where he is and what he's doing. Keep Evelyn out of his sight as well."

Brad turned to me with a frown.

"Home school."

"We discussed this."

"I am not sending you to that school with a damned demon running the place, breathing down your neck constantly."

"You cannot extract Evelyn. He will know that something is wrong. When that happens, he will alter his form and enter Evelyn's life in another, less obvious way. Keeping Evelyn on a natural path is the only way that this will work."

The frown on Brad's face was the heaviest I'd ever seen. There was also a slight bruise under his eye, which I did not see until he turned and the light hit it. I guess Mardyl got a punch in after all.

"This is not open for discussion and definitely not with you."

"I am the only one in this house that knows exactly what Evelyn faces in that creature. If there is anyone that should be included, it is me. You want to keep her safe? It's done by continuing as if there is nothing wrong."

"What does he want?"

Anzide glanced at me, probably remembering the conversation we'd had about Principal Harlwood in the corridor at school.

"At a basic level, a demon would utilize and harness the skills that she has. It doesn't matter if she knows how to use them or not. He will extract what he wants from her. She is powerful, and he sensed that. She is also young, which is ideal for a demon to prey upon as they are usually impressionable and easily swayed."

"Clearly he doesn't know the real Evelyn," Brad muttered.

I poked my tongue at him, which made Brad smile.

"If he is half as connected as I am, he would have sensed that Evelyn is more than just an average vampire. We thought she was a witchling, and we have since learned that may not be entirely correct. Your mother had vampire and shapeshifter in her. We know nothing of your father. It could be a witch, or it could be a shapeshifter, as my kin suspect."

Anzide reached out across the table, gently placing his hand over mine, which was balled tight. Brad raised an eyebrow at me.

"If that is the case, then there is less of a chance that they will want you to be terminated. A shapeshifter will be able to detect their own, and it is possible that your father knew that your mother was one. They cannot determine the levels, so he would not have known about her being part vampire. Remember that for when they return. You want my help, remember that information. Push them into believing that your father is a shapeshifter."

His hand slid from mine. Anzide turned to look at Brad.

"As for the demon, there is only one solution that will keep Evelyn safe. Permanent protection, which I will give for as long as I can remain here."

Before the conversation worsened, I got up from the table.

"I'm going to lie down for a bit."

Anzide followed me to my room. I don't know what Brad wanted to say about Anzide's offer. I was too tired to care. My body flopped to the bed, and as the world faded, I heard Anzide say that he would ensure that I was safe.

I woke to the sound of the door shutting. Voices and the soft murmur of laughter. Sitting up, I blinked and tried to focus on my room.

It was still a mess, boxes unpacked, stuff everywhere. So far, I'd been too busy with homework and all that other nonsense that was going on. One of them was here, not so much of a nonsense anymore. Now he was something else, and I don't know what exactly.

"Hey,"

Anzide turned from the window to look at me. He was sitting on the bench seat, not affected by the frostiness coming through the glass. I could see the heat he exuded as the breath escaped his mouth.

"Hey."

"Who is here?"

"The vampires. Did you hear me when I said that I have little trust for them as well?"

I nodded, sitting further back on my bed. Leaning against the wall, I pulled the blankets higher, trying to keep myself warm. The weather in this town was ridiculous.

"I'm sure you don't trust anyone."

Anzide stared, then turned back to the window.

"That's not entirely true."

Anzide's solution for my protection was a little odd, but I was grateful and found it comforting. The problem was that I worried about Brad as well.

"Can I hire the services of a Nephilim?"

Anzide turned to look at me, plain-faced but clearly curious.

"For Brad," I explained.

"Removing all obstacles. You remembered."

A soft smile crossed his features.

"But what of the boy?" he murmured. "I find it curious that you did not ask for him as well."

I was about to say something when Anzide turned to the doorway. Heavy footsteps were running up the stairs.

"Speak of the devil."

Kannon appeared at the doorway, all smiles until he saw that I was not alone.

"Hey," he said cautiously.

He gestured to Anzide, who had returned his gaze back to the window.

"Anzide, the Nephilim. This is his true form."

"Oh."

Warily he walked into the room, sitting on the end of the bed.

"I thought that you fixed that yesterday."

"Temporarily. They've gone to get answers to a few questions I had for them."

Kannon frowned, quietly accepting but probably not understanding.

"Dad said that Harlwood was in the forest last night. That's creepy."

"Yeah, he was probably watching."

"He would have been watching from the moment he made the connection to you," Anzide said without turning from the window. "You should have heeded my warning."

"It would have been rude."

"And now you pay the price for your civility."

Kannon rolled his eyes. I smiled despite the fact that Anzide was right.

"He would have figured it out regardless." Kannon offered.

"True. However, it would have taken him longer without the physical connection. It could have given Evelyn time to deal with my kin and the monster that is ruling this town."

Brad appeared at the door, flicking his head slightly.

"Dinner is almost done. Hurry up. Jess is waiting."

Kannon stood from the bed, walking to the door. He turned and looked expectantly at the biblical creature that was still looking out the window.

"Dude, it's polite to let a woman dress in private."

I looked at the clothes that I was wearing, wondering why Kannon thought that I'd be changing them.

"Walls will not stop a demon, dude. Shut the door on your way out if you're so worried about privacy."

Kannon was stunned into silence, then looked at me. I shrugged as I walked over to him.

"It's okay. He won't look."

"No, it's not okay, but if you're alright with it, then I guess I am too. See you downstairs."

I nodded, closing the door behind him. Turning, I glared at Anzide.

"Stop being an ass to him."

"He has defined interest in you, and it is not what you desire."

"How would you know what I desire?"

Walking to my cupboard, I pulled out a jumper. It was the only change that needed to happen.

"I know that you desire to be a part of a family. To feel complete. That is why you mourned Niko's passing, why it affected you more than your mother's death. He gave you what you desired. A family unit that was comforting and warm. He nurtured you, he listened, and he valued your life. Just like what your uncle does. Your mother never gave you that, and I suspect that you know that the vampire will not either."

"You can't predict the future."

"No, but I can see more than what is in front of me. The vampires in this town are far from what you want in your life."

"And I suppose that you are, is that right?"

Anzide turned and looked at me, saying nothing.

"Your kind wants to kill me, Anzide. You are wrong about him because you are jealous."

"I know little of that emotion," he murmured.

"Somehow, I don't think that's entirely true. Maybe you just figured out how to lie."

Turning, I stalked to the door. I opened it, but it slammed shut. Darkness encroached my shadow.

"I am not the liar here," Anzide whispered. "I am not the one deceiving you. I said that I know little of that emotion, but that does not mean that I do not know it at all."

Slowly I turned around, leaning against the wooden door. Anzide wasn't angry, just leaning over me. My heart raced to a heavy tempo as I looked up at him.

"My time in this world has been limited until now. Of course I know little of these emotions. I am learning them and figuring out my place in this world. What I do know is what I can detect. The boy, his family, and the followers, they are not to be trusted. That is the warning that you are getting from me because you said that you wanted my help to guide you in this world. That is what I am giving you. My perception, what I see, what I can detect. Interpret as you will."