“I am being reasonable about this,” he retorted. “I want you to have everything, and a good education is part of that, but you know how dangerous the world can be. I’m not sure I want you at such a distance from your mother and me—and the protection of The Shade for that matter.”
“There haven’t been any problems for ages, and even those were minor,” I argued.
“Rogue vampires are not minor,” he replied, referring to the problems in Kansas. “Lives were lost—parents left without their children.”
“I know that, Dad, but I can handle myself. If I was to live on campus, I would know exactly who to call in an emergency. It’s not like distance matters that much, the witches can reach me in a matter of moments. I really don’t see what the big deal is. You’d let Phoenix go!”
“I would have the same concerns if it were Phoenix asking,” Dad replied. I didn’t believe that for a second. Phoenix snuck out frequently to visit the mainland, getting up to God knew what in Hawaii…and all I was asking for was to go to school.
“Tejus,” my mom chided softly, “give her a chance. We can at least go and visit these places. You’re being over-protective, but she’ll be eighteen when she attends. An adult in her own right.”
My dad raked his hand through his hair, his jaw clenching. I tried to hide a gleeful smile—I knew that look. It meant Mom and I had won.
“You’re right,” he sighed. “But Serena, you’re always going to be our little girl. Things like this are a big deal for your mother and me. We’re used to knowing that wherever you are, you’re safe and secure. Once you’re out of The Shade, we’re going to worry.”
I smiled, walking over to give him a hug. I loved my parents to pieces and I knew Dad was always over-protective. He couldn’t help it—it was just the way he was, especially when it came to Mom and me.
“I know you’re going to worry,” I replied. “But trust me, there will be nothing to worry about. The worst thing I’ll face is the mountain of homework and some human guy hitting on me during orientation.”
My dad grimaced. “I’m not worried about boys—I know you can handle yourself against humans. My concerns are strictly supernatural.”
“What concerns?” Phoenix strolled into the kitchen, covered in sweat and dust.
Ugh. Bad timing.
“We’re discussing open days at some of the universities that Serena wants to attend,” my mom informed him.
“Mom!” I groaned, knowing that I would have to fight another battle—my brother, only a year older, was just as bad as my dad.
“What?” Phoenix ignored me, looking directly at Dad. “Do you think she should leave The Shade?”
“Like you do every night?” I snapped at him.
“I’m older than you—and I’m a guy.”
“What?! So?” I exclaimed. “I hope Aida handed you your ass today.”
I just didn’t get it. My brother was totally awesome almost one hundred percent of the time, until it came to protecting me. He suddenly turned into a fuddy-duddy, almost worse than Dad.
“I have to agree with Serena,” my mom retorted, frowning at Phoenix. “That’s not how we raised you, and you know it.”
“All right, I’m sorry,” my brother replied, holding his hands up in a mock-guilty pose, but not looking the slightest bit sorry. “Maybe we should just think about providing her with supernatural bodyguards.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” my dad mused.
“Are you kidding?” I exclaimed. This conversation was fast descending into madness. Thankfully, my mom burst out into peals of laughter.
“Absolutely not,” she replied once she’d calmed down. “Both of you are out of your minds. Serena’s a capable young woman, and if she wants to go to college, she’s going to go to college. I’ll get these dates in the calendar and see if Corrine wouldn’t mind taking us.”
“All right,” my dad growled, smiling at my mom with barely concealed admiration.
“And for that comment,” my mom continued, trying to glare at Phoenix but failing miserably, “you’re going to help me make dinner.”
“Happily,” Phoenix replied with a smirk, taking a ridiculous floral apron off a nearby hanger and placing it over his training clothes. I snorted. If only his many admirers could see him now.
“Thanks, guys,” I replied happily, glad to have gotten my way. “Aida’s coming over—is it okay if I wait outside for her? Or will my life be in peril?”