Funny how an ordinary basement can feel like a tomb. I emerged with a huge sigh from my forced confinement into the warmth of the last of the sunlight flooding the kitchen on the other side of the door. I actually paused for a moment to enjoy it, but not long enough for my mother to catch up, just in case.I heard her first footfall on the step below as someone knocked on the kitchen door. Relieved to have another warm body to use for a buffer against her, I rushed to answer it just as Mom reached the top of the stairs.Alison Morgan, my best friend and rescuer, grinned at me from the doorstep, her normally long, flowing blonde hair pulled back into a tight ponytail, contact-tinted blue eyes sparkling. I can only imagine my expression since Alison laughed at me without me saying a word.Goofy, best bet. And desperate, I imagine.She walked in without asking, brushing past me to greet my mother. I silently prayed she would just say 'hi' and let it go.Why did my best friend have to

I officially decided I hated field parties.What was it about my age group and their belief they needed to get drunk, stoned and stupid in order to have a good time? I dodged a puking sophomore just in time to save my shoes and kept moving. At least this time I wasn't responsible for the throwing up, but somehow knowing it didn't make me feel any better.Alison made sure I stood in the thick of things from the moment I arrived, immediately hooking me up with Brad so she could wander off. Having Beth and Simon hanging from me kind of put a damper on our greeting, but I could tell Brad was really happy to see me and had a momentary glimmer of guilt that power drew us together. I discovered the previous fall Brad had a latent talent, born with the goods but no way to access them. Because of that, he had no involvement with magic but was, it turned out, instinctively drawn to me and my demon. I felt bad when I wasn't with him. Only then did I understand I was somehow taking advantage of

I tried not to shiver but was losing the battle. Something about that much negative magic along with a chilly late April night proved enough to cut me to the bone and I was so wrung out I didn't have enough energy to even really care.So I gave up the effort and stood and shook, hugging myself and clenching my teeth against the steady rattle as I watched Mom, Uncle Frank and Sunny do a tour of where the party had so recently been.I was right they already knew and didn't need us to tell them we were in trouble. In fact, Quaid and I just barely caught our breath when Uncle Frank, carrying my mother, landed next to us."Syd." Mom had been breathless despite the fact Uncle Frank had done the flying, panting with the need to reach me. She crouched close and hugged me hard. "Thank goodness you're all right." She latched on to Quaid and drew him in as well. "We came the moment we felt it."I heard the rustling hiss of another vampire and looked up. Sunny settled on the grass with Erica P

I retreated to my bedroom and took a few minutes to write down what Gram said so I could tell my mother before stretching out on the top of my quilt. My brain fell suddenly quiet and I closed my eyes, grateful for a moment to rest.I felt the heavy weight of Sassafras land on the end of my bed and the movement on the mattress as he quietly padded his fat cat body to my side. He circled and settled against me, taking a moment to clean his tail before landing his nose between his paws with a sigh.In the stillness of a Sunday afternoon, exhausted and stressed, I finally found peace and fell asleep.There is nothing more disorienting than waking up fully clothed on top of your homework with no memory of the night before. I dragged myself from my bed and squinted into the sunrise. It only took a moment of confusion before I kicked myself and swore softly under my breath.I slept the night through and missed the vampires.In the bathroom across the hall, I surveyed the past few day's d

Despite my attempt to fake normal, I knew I still looked pretty pale from what I'd overheard. Alison confirmed it by getting to her feet and offering her hand in an instinctive gesture."Syd?" She had genuine concern on her face and I cursed inwardly at my lack of control. "Are you okay?"Which, of course, meant everyone had to make a big fuss over me. I took some deep breaths, very grateful when my demon offered her support without me having to ask."I'm fine, I'm fine," I tried to reassure them. "Really. Just tired all of a sudden. I'm sorry, I have to go home."There were regretful murmurs, but no one seemed pissed and even Blood had a look of understanding on his made-up face so I didn't feel so bad."Thanks for everything," I said, throwing my coat on and grabbing my purse."We didn't get to presents!" Alison shoved a small box into the top of my purse. "And at least let one of us drive you home!"I knew the fresh air would do me good."I'm okay, really. I just have my stu