She woke in the late afternoon, more exhausted than when she'd gone to bed. Nightmares clung like cobwebs; flashing fangs, lifeless eyes, pain, pleasure, burning vampires. She needed Jorick, and where was he? He'd stormed off and left her alone in the middle of a vampire fortress!

She peeled off the bandage and checked the wound in the mirror. The puncture marks were bigger and rougher than usual. They nearly blended into one another, as if Verchiel had tried to bite clear ...