“Jenks!” I shouted, heading into the hall. “Jenks! Is the backyard clear?” I had to get out of here. It was dark. The church was unsanctified. My security had become a trap.

Ceri followed me into the kitchen. She looked miserable at my fear, but I didn’t care.

“Jenks!” I shouted again, and he buzzed in, his green robe furling.

“What the hell do you want?” he snarled. “Can’t you spend one freaking night alone?”

I blinked, taken aback. “Cincinnati is panicking because Al is walking the streets with no one holding his leash,” I said. “Six witches tried to circle him, and he sent them into the ever-after. Everyone’s afraid he’s here to harvest familiars, and because I didn’t catch him, they let Piscary out to get control of him. Is the backyard clear? I’m going to be sleeping in the graveyard tonight.” And tomorrow, and the day after. Hell, maybe I ought to put up a little cottage.

Jenks gaped at me, face pale. His mouth moved, and he said softly, “I’ll check.”

And he was gone.

“Good evening, Jenks,” Ceri said to no one.

The back screen door slammed shut, and Keasley shuffled in. “Let’s go.”

I put a hand to my stomach. “I have to call my mother.”

“Do it from the graveyard.” Ceri took my elbow and led me to the back door. Keasley’s bent shadow went before us, and I let them drag me out onto the wooden landing and into the night.

The back-porch light was on, and in its uncertain flicker I fumbled for my phone. Piscary’s number glowed as the last line called, and in a wash of fear I realized where Ivy was. She hadn’t heard about Kisten and me. Piscary had called her to him. This was a setup. Al and Piscary were working together as they had before. Piscary had called, and she had gone to prepare for him—like the scion she was.

“Oh, God,” I whispered, my knees going weak as my bare feet found the cold grass. Ivy was with Piscary. Right now.

“Ivy!” I shouted, spinning to head back to the kitchen and my car keys.

“Rachel, no!” Keasley called. He reached for me, falling into a fit of coughing. I leapt to the stairs, jerking back when Ceri took my shoulder.

“She’s a vampire,” the elf said, eyes snapping in the dim light. “It’s a trap. A lure. Al and Piscary are working together. You know it’s a trap!”

“She’s my friend!” I protested.

“Get into the graveyard,” she demanded, pointing as if I were a dog. “We’ll deal with this in an orderly fashion.”

“Orderly fashion!” I shot at her. “You know what that monster can do to her? Who do you think you are!” I shouted, pushing her hand off me.