"Miriam," Uncle Frank said, voice full of tension but calm at least, "we have no idea what you're talking about. What happened to Meira?" His concern was real enough and managed to reach Mom.

Mom's magic flickered white. Then red. Green. Back to blue. I could tell an imminent explosion when I saw one. Anastasia didn't struggle but her white vampire magic rippled and dimmed the longer Mom held her.

I was inclined to believe Uncle Frank. Still, if he was innocent, where ...