*Lena*

I clutched Penny to my chest and released the full force of my powers of light. I prayed that the burst of sun and heat hadn’t wounded her. I heard the Vampire King scream, his voice so shrill it made the entire castle tremble.

I opened my eyes, my breath catching in my throat as I pushed Penny away, holding her at arm’s length to check her for injury. But then I felt it, that dark embrace, that blackened net only one person could cast. ...