Katelina lay in the grass, watching with terrified eyes as Bren walked towards Jesslynn. The vampiress was held between two captors, fighting to get free. As he walked, he swung the baby like a toy, and Oren roared, "Leave them alone!"

"Tut, tut," Bren chastised. "You know the Laws. This is an abomination and must be destroyed!" He raised his arm as if to pitch the screaming infant into the fire, but Jesslynn broke free and lunged for him.

She caught the child in her ...