I quickly sat on the floor, Meira still in my arms, and told Mom what I'd done.

Her reaction wasn't what I expected.

"You did WHAT?" Mom was usually pretty pale, her porcelain skin perfect. But now she looked almost ghostly, more like her vampire brother did before he had a chance to eat.

"Theridialis took me across," I said while Meira stared up at me.

"What was it like?" Her voice was low, soft, but I could hear real curiosity. At least I'd distracted ...