The next morning I woke up feeling perfectly content. Yes, my parents might be really pissed when they find out about my vampire boyfriend, I recently had a near death experience, and we were all still in mortal danger but for some reason I felt content. Don't judge me. The effects of my exchange with Kayne still rebounded throughout my body with a warm fuzzy feeling and I was smiling when I walked down to the kitchen.

As I headed down the stairs I caught my reflection in a mirror adorning the wall. There were no dark circles under my eyes and my skin was nearly glowing with health. Did vampire blood improve skin complexion? They were all so beautiful that it was highly likely that it smoothed out and small flaws. If they bottled that stuff they could make millions...but then there would be people hunting vampires for their blood. Huh, ironic.

I was the first one up today which was a surprise. I didn't really expect Jaz to be even semi-conscious yet but Madina was generally an early riser. It was already 10:00. I suppose everyone needed a good night's rest after all the trauma we endured yesterday. I popped two pieces of bread in the toaster and flipped the switch. Now that the adrenalin and sense of urgency I was suffering from last night had worn off I could think about what the hell was going on. I'll admit that we should have seen this coming.

Up until this point it had been a cold war between us and Alastair. For some reason he wasn't going all out, I suppose no matter how powerful he wanted us to think he was he still had to take on a whole freaking dimension. He had been looking for a way through our defenses and he had found it. I was apparently going to be a huge asset in the upcoming battle that lurked around the corner. He had wanted to take out that advantage by luring me into a trap. Thankfully, he had failed.

Our cities were too well defended at the moment for him to conquer them but his army was growing. He was calling demons from all over Earth to join him and there was no way we could stop them all. At some point he would make a move, which would probably consist of a huge struggle, and we would have to face him. Perhaps in his arrogance he would underestimate us. Though that's exactly what he did on Magnolia street so its doubtful he would make the same mistake again. I sighed. Hey, a girl could only hope.

What happened to my normal life? I had just earned a college degree, my art was starting to get recognition, and I had a normal routine with normal friends. There were no supernatural wars to worry about and I didn't have to fear for my life. But...I didn't really miss it. Ever since I got here I had felt better than ever. I had made new friends, somehow ended up together with a gorgeous vampire, and accomplished things I had never even dreamed of. This really was my home now.

Despite my happiness I wouldn't have wished my parents into this life. Now they were tangled up in a mess that I wasn't sure would be resolved anywhere in the near future. They didn't deserve all of the problems and confusion that was forced onto them with no warning. They should have been able to live normal, unknowing lives. Ignorance is bliss as the saying goes.

And hell, it was going to be very strange with my parents watching my every move like I was two again. They were going to worry about me until all of the dust settled and probably far beyond that. My toast jumped up with a pop and I jumped. I'd faced demons and I still got startled by the toaster? Now that was just plain sad. After I buttered them and sat down there was the shuffling noise of someone dragging their two feet across the floor.

Just as I took a bite of my toast my dad rounded the corner, rubbing his eyes sleepily. His brown hair stuck up in a few places like he had tossed and turned a lot. I couldn't really blame him. I had cleaned up and then collapsed into my bed after Kayne left so I assumed Madina had given them the spare room. I always used to wonder why they didn't live in a mansion, I'm sure they could if they wanted to. I had come to realize that a cold and impersonal house like that just wouldn't work for them.

"Morning," I mumbled around a mouthful of Rye. The food in the house just happened to appear at random. Well, actually I'm sure Madina was responsible for it. I knew that physics had it right when it said matter couldn't be created or destroyed. Matter could only be to the scientists for getting that right. The food most likely disappeared from houses and grocery stores across Earth and I would almost feel bad if I didn't know Madina could never take something without paying.

"Good Morning sweetheart," Dad said, followed by a yawn. For a few minutes there was a bit of an awkward silence as he fixed himself a bowl of cereal. Then he plopped down in the chair in front of me and I couldn't ignore him any longer. Well, I might as well get this over with. I ran my fingers through my hair and hesitated before going for it.

"So did Madina fill you in on well...everything?" I asked quietly. He paused with the spoon halfway to his mouth and then it resumed its course.

"Which part? The part with the psychotic demon ruler? Or the one where every creature from horror movies and fairytales are actually real?" he asked with a snort. "We pretty much got the whole 'Supernaturals for dummies' last night." Then his expression softened. "Don't worry about it kiddo. We're not mad at you," he reassured me. I breathed a nearly inaudible sigh of relief.

"Don't worry. Not every horror movie. Jason is not hiding in the backyard with a machete or chainsaw," I joked weakly. He cracked a smile.

"Although it was hard to wrap my mind about all the bending of the laws of physics that happens around here. You know me. I'm a practical person. Never really bothered with the stuff that wasn't supposed to be real. Just hard fact," he admitted.

"It takes a bit of getting used to," I agreed with another sigh.

"Well you've been through a lot more than me so don't you worry about us. We'll be fine," he assured with a smile. "You're mom is taking this better than I am. Once she got past the shock she drank it all up. She always did love that fantasy stuff. Complete opposites right? Makes you wonder why we got married," he joked. I bit my lip to keep from smiling.

There was another small silence, this one wasn't nearly as awkward as the other one, and finished our breakfast. Of course I knew this was all too good to be true.

"You know I really want to apologize to your friend now that the shock has worn off. What was his name again?" Dad asked. Oh no. Hell no. This was exactly the direction I did not want to head.

"Kayne. And he really doesn't mind. You were stressed out and there wasn't any permanent damage. I'm sure you don't need to bring it up," I said, hoping to steer the conversation another way. Dad gave me an incredulous look.

"I stabbed the guy. I'd feel much better if I could at least reassure him I won't do it again. I'll talk to him the next time I see him. Does he come around a lot?" he persevered. Alright this seemingly innocent line of questioning definitely had some ulterior motives. I shrugged indifferently.

"He's here occasionally. I'm not sure when he'll show up next," I answered semi-honestly. I didn't know when he would show up. But truth was he actually visited a lot more than "occasionally". Dad seemed to brace himself before forging ahead to ask another question. Just the one I hoped we could avoid.

"So how about you tell me what's going on between you and him?" he asked firmly. I flushed down to the roots of my hair which is all the answer he needed. His expression grew even sterner.

"Are you romantically involved with that boy?" he clarified. Way to put it dad. His clear eyes didn't waver from my eyes, obviously wanting a clear answer. I almost laughed when he said 'boy' though considering Kayne was centuries older than him. Now as for the answer to his so eloquently asked question...well I gave a very un-eloquent answer.

I opened my mouth only to close it again in embarrassment. I think I stammered something unintelligible and then just gave up and quickly nodded before turning my gaze to the table. How was it that even though I was a grown woman he managed to make me feel like a little girl again? When I gathered myself enough to peer through my bangs at him he was frowning slightly.

"I don't like it. And it's not that I don't like it because your involved with someone. I know you can't stay my little girl forever," he admitted with a resigned smile. "But after yesterday's incident I know he isn't human and I sincerely doubt he's a witch. So what is he?" he asked softly. I sighed and propped my chin up on my hand.

"You spent so much time worrying about my human boyfriends and now you wish one of them were sitting in front of you don't you?" I asked with a small smile.

"You're avoiding the question," he pointed out lowly.

"Alright, alright. He's a vampire. Happy?" I grumbled. Dad had raised the glass of orange juice to his lips and now he nearly did a spit-take. He gazed incredulously at me.

"Out of all things. Out of all things he could be he's a vampire? Do you have to be dating the one creature that could take a bite out of you if he gets hungry?" he exclaimed. Dad was shaking his head slowly in disbelief. "No. No no no no no. Tori do you have any clue what you're getting yourself into? Because I don't think you do. I'm not going to let you date a vampire." His eyes were clear with determination. I stared back unwaveringly and my jaw set stubbornly.

"Dad, I've already had this conversation too many times. I'm not going to stop seeing Kayne. He's good to me alright? He's not going to hurt me," I said exasperatedly.

"Oh really? What if he bites you? I mean, I didn't think I'd ever be saying this, but you're dating a vampire!" Almost involuntarily my fingers darted up to my throat and I quickly pulled them back down. The damage was done though as Dad's eyes stayed fixed on my neck. His eyes roamed until he found the nearly invisible scars left from the last bite. In a few more days they would have disappeared and if I hadn't given the marks away he wouldn't have noticed.

"Viktoria," he growled. He never used my full name unless I was in trouble. It was always Tori. "Has that vampire taken advantage of you?" he demanded. I was shocked by the phrasing he used.

"What? No! No, he wouldn't do that. Vampire bites-they aren't...they're not...they don't...hurt," I finished lamely. However the implication was clear. He stared at me for a few moments before he got it. Then his face took on almost a pained expression. I don't think he wanted to go down the subject of what Kayne and I do when we're alone.

"Alright...I trust you to make the right decisions. But if he ever does anything out of line then I'll come after him with a wooden stake and I won't miss this time," he promised. I giggled at his enthusiasm and he cracked a smile. "I should still apologize. Especially considering how ironic it is. It must not be very dignified to be staked by your girlfriend's dad. By a chair leg," he chortled. Glad that the dreaded conversation was over, we sat together and laughed until everyone else came down.

Oh, I certainly had some blackmail on Kayne.

Kayne showed up sometime early afternoon. As soon as he stepped into the house my dad bee-lined for him and pulled him off. I knew how this conversation would go already and I could only hope Kayne would behave himself. I'm sure he would. He could act especially pleasant and respectful when he wanted to and he would handle my dad fine. I had no worries about my mom. She would be delighted by his charm.

There was a little swinging bench attached to the back of the house. Madina was at some important meeting and had left us to our own devices for the day. She had practically ordered us to relax. Well my dad was sitting in the living room talking to Kayne, Jaz was listening to her ipod, and mom was cleaning. Yes, cleaning. For some reason that was how she relaxed and it would be pointless to explain that we could clean with a spell. So I let her do her thing.

Meanwhile, I took my sketchbook and headed to that little swing. I relaxed and drew absently. When I finished it was a strange sight to be sure. But I didn't control what I drew, I let my fingers lead the way and my mind wander. The sketch was done in pencil so I couldn't tell what color anything was but I could still tell what was going on. A bonfire was blazing in the center of the clearing, reaching for the stars. Hooded figures with runes inscribed into their clothing surrounded it in a circle. A ceremony or ritual was obviously being held as incense was burning and runes were traced into the ground.

Now, why would I draw something like this? Ancient witches had held ceremonies like his as tributes to their gods but that was a time when religion and superstition was flourishing. Gatherings like this hadn't been held in centuries as far as I knew. I would have to ask Madina about it as soon as she got back. Maybe she could clear things up. There was a small rustle to my right and I turned to Kayne with a grin.

"I take it my dad finished reading you the riot act?" I asked teasingly. Kayne shook his head with a small snort.

"Mhmm. And then he turned back to his crossword and waved me off. Maybe he wouldn't be so dismissive if he knew I've outlived him by several centuries," he muttered. I shook my head, grin widening.

"Oh stop whining," I said playfully. "You survived didn't you?"

"Just barely. I think I deserve some sort of consolation prize." With yet another grin I leaned forward. As soon as our lips met there was a pointed cough to our left. I jerked away and glared in the direction of the interruption, which turned to a mortified blush as I saw my mother with her hands on her hips. She pointed with her broom in the direction of the house and looked expectantly at Kayne. He grumbled something under his breath and then Kayne was nowhere to be seen. Mom blinked in shock.

"Sorry mom. He's a little testy today," I raised my voice at the last part, making sure he could hear it. Deafening silence. I giggled and mom sat down next to me with a sigh.

"You're dad already got me up to speed with you and Kayne. And I don't like it," she admitted. Oh, really? What a surprise. "He seems dangerous. But, then again I've thought all of your boyfriends seemed dangerous. I worry about you that's all. You're so headstrong and I couldn't ever control you, even when you were a little girl," she said with a laugh. Then she shook her head. "Look, I'm not going to stop you. It's your life after all. I just want you to be careful. Can you promise me that?"

"Of course I can mom. I know what I'm doing," I reassured her gently and gave her a hug. After a few moments she pulled back and looked my dead in the eyes.

"And please tell me you're using protection," she said bluntly. I froze in embarrassment and incredulity.

"Mom! We're not...we haven't...Mom!" I exclaimed yet again. It wasn't that I hadn't had sex with anyone. It was that I just knew that Kayne was listening. I could almost feel him shaking with laughter. "Shut up," I muttered. "Not you," I added at Mom's wounded and confused expression. "Dracula's listening in," I grumbled. Her confusion didn't lesson any so I tapped my ear. "He can hear us," I supplied. Her hands flew up to her mouth.

"Oh! I'm sorry dear," she apologized ruefully. I dropped my voice so that even Kayne couldn't hear us.

"Besides, even if we were," I emphasized the 'were'. "Even if we were, then it wouldn't matter because vampires can't have kids. Their kind are created through blood exchange. And again we're not," I whispered violently. She sighed.

"Alright then I suppose I'll leave you to your-" she was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. She looked at me in confusion. "Are you expecting someone?" she asked.

"We shouldn't be," I said with a shake of my head. I stood up and headed around the house to the front, mom trailing behind me. When I turned the corner there was a guy standing at the door. Wait a minute. I recognized that shock of brown hair.

"Martin?"

A/N: I still haven't edited the last chapter but I swear to get around to it soon XD

Anyway I'll rename this chapter later like I did last time. I figured you'd rather read something new then wait for me to come up with one little chapter name... :)

And btw I HAVE 100 REVIEWS and it makes me so HAPPY :D