Suddenly and completely wide awake, I scrambled to climb out of bed, gathering my power while my demon roared to full awareness and slammed the blonde vampire so hard she impacted the wall with a thud shaking the entire upstairs.

My demon kept her pinned while I trembled with alternating bouts of fear and fury and tried to decide what to do with her.

She didn't struggle, but the hurt in her eyes was its own form of attack.

"Syd," she whispered. "Please, you have ...