I let the shield drop completely as the vampires around me either collapsed or stood stunned, looking around at each other, blinking, waking as though from a terrible dream. Uncle Frank came forward, hugged me, tall, strong body shaking.

"Love you," he whispered into my hair before turning to Gram and hugging her, too.

Sunny just stared at me with horror growing in her eyes, both hands clutching at her skirt, giant fistfuls of satin crushed under her grip. I stepped ...