The Complete Crimson Forest series

Bryxx: Chapter 13

Daniel explains the shocking family history he learnt from the Bryxx council to me during supper. As it turns out, our great something grandma and grandpa on dad's side were human Bryxx who gave up one of their twin daughters to demons in order to guarantee the other's protection from the vampires and the wrath of the Bryxx.

When the Bryxx heard of the deal their family made with the demons, they enacted their own deal with the demons, knowing how important the family was to them. The Bryxx offered to protect the family alongside the demons if in return the demons continued to keep humans in the dark about the supernatural world.

Each generation then on would give their life, blood, and soul to the demons as a sacrifice for their children, ending with my and Daniel's own father. The demons could come at any time and take them away, meaning that our father didn't die of a heart attack, instead he'd given up his soul for us to be protected and able to live long, normal lives. I can't help but wonder if our father knew what happened to Daniel.

"Where was this protection when you died?" I squeak in shock.

Daniel bows his head. "Mayflower, Dad wasn't my biological father, so I wasn't protected under the agreement. He thought I was protected, but somewhere in the fine writing I wasn't, and I didn't really need any protection since I didn't have the Bryxx blood. If I did have the blood, I probably would've died rather than made the change to Bryxx. Those with Bryxx blood rarely make the change, remember? Our mom had me before her and dad got together. I don't know my biological dad and I probably will never know who he was."

My jaw drops. I never would've guessed that Daniel wasn't biologically related to me. We look so similar. "How long have you known that you weren't dad's?!"

"Since yesterday," he admits quietly. "The council told me."

"Oh my gosh, Daniel!" I blurt. "Are you okay?"

He shrugs. "It doesn't change anything, May. You're still my sister."

I'm about to argue but I decide against it when Kai covertly shakes his head at me behind Daniel's back.

Kade gathers up everyone's sandwich dishes and places them neatly in the dishwasher.

"You'd make a good housewife," Kai teases, lightening the mood, a thin smirk on his lips.

Kade doesn't seem bothered. "I don't like clutter."

"What do you guys do for fun around here?" Kai wonders while wandering around the kitchen like he's bored out of his mind. "Kind of boring out here."

Daniel rolls his eyes. "We're on vacation. Relax a little, please, Kai."

"Vacation? I was hoping we'd get to kick some vampire ass," Kai retorts and picks up a flipper from the utensil vase, flipping it in the air and then catching it. "What kind of vacation is this?"

"Yeah?" Kade goads. "Try it. Let's see how many times I can pin your ass to the ground before you give up." Kade's tone is cocky and rightfully so. I've seen the guy fight.

Kai grins. "You're on, vamp!"

"Take it outside," I groan and point to the door. I know just how much of a wreck these people can cause in a fight. It's like having two bulls in a china shop for heaven's sake.

Kade zips out the door and Kai follows him. Daniel waits for me to make it out the door before he follows and closes it behind him.

The scrapple has already started and ended by the time we get outside. Kai is pinned to the ground groaning in pain.