Margaret left us, presumably to talk with her Council, and even though she'd come around, I was still happy to have Mom alone for a little while.

She hugged me again, not letting go this time as she led me to a settee and drew me down beside her. The segment of her magic tied to vampire power, thanks to Batsheva herself no less, connected with mine and, in that moment, the world opened up again.

Beginning with a very angry tirade from Gram.

When I get my ...