"Wait. Your father is a vampire." All feeling in my hand faded as my grip loosened, dropping the biro. "But how is that possible?"

If I remember correctly, vampires couldn't reproduce, meaning I had my facts wrong, or I was having a sleepover with a household of vampires.

Ethan shrugged, fishing his phone from his pocket. "She'll fill you in with the details. Sex ed isn't my thing."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, not giving him the satisfaction of my annoyance.

Fiona dismissed Ethan, rubbing her palms on her silk dressing gown. "A male vampire still carries sperm and can impregnate a human woman. The woman has a shorter pregnancy than most, giving birth to a dhampir."

Searching the throw for my pen, I scribbled the word onto the page.

"Half-human, half-vampire." She knitted her brows together, watching me with interest as I jotted notes on the paper. "There was a legend about how vampires, both male and female, conceived and gave birth to their kind. I would say this is pretty rare, but it can happen."

I shook my head in disbelief from my ignorance. Vampires shouldn't reproduce or even conduct sexual activities. It was unethical and uncanny.

That's it. I'm officially mind blown.

"Trust me, when I found out my grandfather can still have kids, I wanted to vomit," Ethan said, scrolling through his phone.

Fiona coughed, averting the conversation back to the relevant topic. "Prepare your plea and make sure your story is adequate. You will go to trial tomorrow."

Ethan didn't seem fazed in the slightest as his mobile continued pinging, signalling a message.

After she said goodnight and padded up the stairs, Ethan put his mobile on the coffee table with the screen facing downwards. "I've got a plan."

I pushed the throw to the side and edged forwards, angling my body towards him.

"You can testify." He pondered, licking his bottom lip. "You were walking when he approached you, taking you by surprise. I heard a scream and went to investigate, carrying my quiver and bow."

Isn't this what happened?

It was like I was an outsider, watching the madness unfold as tonight blurred all into one.

He clicked his knuckles within his palms. "Look, nobody should be walking alone at night, and if they do, they're asking for it."

How dare he insinuate that I'm asking for a vampire chase?

A fit of helpless anger simmered in me. To Ethan, I was a naive girl, lost and waiting for him to save me. "I didn't ask for this."

"It's one of their rules that if the locals venture out at night, and an attack happens, then it's on them. I shouldn't have been out at that time, and neither should you," Ethan said.

"So, why were you out that late?"

He shrugged, jiggling his leg. His calm demeanour had changed as he appeared anxious. "Stargazing."

Bullshit.

"I'm not lying for you." I stood up and centred myself against the armrest for support. The blood rushed to my head from the sudden movement. "What will happen if they find out that you were outside past your curfew?"

"It will be hard to plea for self-defence if they knew I was outside with no apparent reason," he said.

Perching on the armrest, I drummed my fingers against the settee. "Is there a way to transport my mother into this realm?"

Ethan let out a brittle laugh. "You don't understand. Humans can't leave Shadowbrook. Remember earlier, I told you about the missing teenagers. Well, many end up as lunch because they have nowhere to go."

The meaning behind his words was apparent and reflected earlier through his actions. The way he didn't hesitate when releasing the arrow, saving me from a fate I couldn't comprehend. He either had an intention of killing the vampire, or he rescued me without a doubt.

I made my way to the tall shelving unit beside the fireplace. A brass Buddha ornament sat in the centre, surrounded by photo frames. "How am I able to pass the borders?"

"I'm guessing it's because you're here spiritually. Your physical body ties you back to the real world like an anchor."

I was in two places at once—one being physical, and my soul was in another.

Does my spiritual side have anything to do with having cancer? Am I a step closer to death's door?

"Anyway, we're going off-topic. How can your mother help me exactly?" Ethan asked, leaning forwards in the armchair.

"My mum is a barrister. She can support your case." My eyes hovered over the black and white photographs. A scrawny Fiona in her school uniform with the Shadowbrook high crest embroidered on her chest. "How about a phone call or Zoom?"

He saved my life twice, and that was the main reason I offered to help. Mum needed another case, adding one more win under her belt. That was what I admired most, the way she was hardworking, chasing her destined career path. Her work was what kept her on the straight and narrow road to recovery.

Maybe this is what she needs so she can say adiós to alcohol once and for all.

Ethan tutted, running his fingers through his messy fringe. "The vamps have strict rules about communication from the outside. They listen to incoming and outgoing calls and texts. You've got to speak in code here."

These vampires are the next MI5.

"Who am I kidding?" He grabbed his mobile off the table in a hurry. "I'm wasting my time."

"Wait." The photo frame in my grasp weighed heavily as the silver border intricately decorated the edges with carved baroque patterns.

Fiona's hair gathered and clipped on the crown of her head, taking a large amount of hairspray to retain the bounce in her curls that fell and covered half of her face. My finger traced the adolescent man standing beside her. The familiar hooded eyes and roman shaped nose stirred something in me.

It couldn't be.

Everything clicked into place. It was like I could see for the first time. The questions in my journal were answered with a single photograph. "Dad never told me about this place."

Between the mixed emotions and the sweat that coated my palms, I lost grip on the frame. It hit the carpet with a thud, breaking the stand upon impact.

"Shit." Ethan rushed to my aid, snatching the remnants of the frame and left me empty-handed. The act sparked embarrassment as if I had 'idiot' written across my forehead.

"I didn't mean— "

He studied the metal backing with trembling hands and tried to wedge the corner in the correct place. After several attempts, he heavily exhaled and turned to face me, releasing all his pent-up anger. "Wherever you are, danger follows. If it wasn't for you showing up tonight, I wouldn't be in this mess."

His words hit my skin, laced with truth. Ethan's arrogant self disintegrated beneath the floorboards as a powerless boy stood before me. Using weapons was his alternative.

Why should he be prosecuted for doing all he can to survive?

"Ethan, that is no way to speak to Erika." Fiona stood in the doorway with her hair tucked in a silk turban, folding her arms across her chest.

Ethan strolled towards his mother, handing her parts of the frame. "It's true." He edged past, making his way towards the stairs without looking back.

"I apologise for his behaviour. I don't know what's gotten into him recently." She slid the glass from the structure, placing the photograph between her fingers. "You look like him. You have his lips."

I sank onto the settee, overcome by the surreal prospect of Dad living in this world.

"Richard didn't want you involved with this town. He wanted you far away from the vampires." Fiona sat on the footstool, admiring the photo. The corners of her lips turned upwards into a smile. "I remember this day, sitting in the courtyard during lunch, and usually, your dad cracks some silly joke. On that day, he decided to impress Penelope by trying to do a cartwheel."

I fiddled with my gold star studs, twisting them back and forth. "Penelope?"

It was awkward asking, but I couldn't imagine Dad liking anyone other than Mum.

Fiona forgot herself, shaking her head. "Oh, never mind." Her radiant smile faded as she asked, "How is he? It's been a while since I've spoken to him."

"He's okay."

If you count the fact that he works around the clock, cooks when he can and makes sure Mum doesn't choke on her vomit when she's passed out. You know, apart from that, he's dandy.

Remembering Dad, I recalled our conversation. "He said we need a plan B. Fiona, what does he mean?"

A/N

Word count: 1,469

Do you think Richard (Erika's Dad), had a good reason to keep Shadowbrook a secret?

Is Ethan hiding something?

Have a fangtastic day!

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