A Gift of Three (A Shade of Vampire #42)(10)

I jotted down some of the tour dates, making sure that the Brown ones were at the top of the list. Even if I couldn’t win Dad’s approval, there wasn’t much he could say about me visiting a campus for a day—especially not if Corrine and Mom went with me.

My parents were laughing in the kitchen. I’d specifically chosen a moment when my older brother, Phoenix, would be out of the house. I’d begged Aida to keep him busy for as long as possible, and so far, it looked like my plan was working.

“Mom, Dad?” I peered around the kitchen door, finding them both playing an old-fashioned board game that they’d originally bought for my brother. Downtime from GASP duties sure made my parents creative at ways to entertain themselves.

“There you are!” my mom exclaimed. “Do you want to play? I’m beating your father, and he’s not liking it.”

I looked unenthusiastically at the board game.

“I’ll pass,” I replied. “There’s actually something I wanted to talk to you about.”

My voice had come out a bit too squeaky, and my dad’s eyes narrowed.

“I know that voice—what do you want?” he replied.

“That’s not fair!” I said immediately. “I really did just want to talk to you both.”

Dad leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, and eyed me warily. My mom rose from the table, shooting Dad a meaningful look, and smiled brightly at me.

“We’re listening,” she replied.

“Good,” I replied, suddenly all business. The way forward was getting Mom on my side, and then she could reason with Dad. “So I’ve been thinking more about applying to universities, and there are a couple of open days that I’d like to attend, just to get a feel for the different campuses and see what—”

“Where are these universities?” my dad asked quickly.

“Tejus,” my mom interjected. “Let her speak.”

“All over North America, Dad, you know that. And you know that I want to study the traditional way, but I just can’t here.”

My dad nodded silently, but his brows were still furrowed.

“I think it’s a good idea,” my mom replied, pursing her lips at Dad. “I’m glad that you’re taking your education seriously, and we both want the best for you—let’s have a look at the dates.”

I handed her my notepad in relief. As I’d hoped, Mom was on my side. It would just be a matter of getting Dad there too.

“Dad, please can you be reasonable about this?” I pleaded.

“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?”