“Of course she’s alive. It takes more than a firebomb to take this girl out. Right, McFay? And you didn’t really need those eyebrows.”

My hands flew to my face. My skin felt hot to the touch and suspiciously smooth above my eyes. I sat up and looked around the grove. The ground was scorched black, the honeysuckle trees grey skeletons against a smoky sky. A wraith-like creature in a long tattered dress appeared out of the smoke and hurried toward us. I thought it was the angel of death until she got closer and I saw it was Soheila, her face covered with soot. She held a dripping piece of cloth in her hands. “From the Undine spring,” she said, pressing the cold wet cloth to my face. “It will heal you.”

“What happened to everyone?” I asked. I shuddered, recalling the claws that had ripped through Bill’s throat. I didn’t ask where Bill was. I had seen him vanish before the door closed. I would never see him again.

“The Stewarts helped anyone who was injured to the hospital,” Frank told me. “The two pipers who were by the door were badly hurt. The Grove have beat a tactical retreat along with the nephilim …” Frank hung his head. “I’m sorry, Callie. I thought the spell would be enough to destroy them.”

“You couldn’t have known how powerful they’ve become,” Soheila said. “They said they’d be back in the morning to discuss the ‘new administration.’ I think they plan to take over the college.”

“We won’t let them,” I said, pushing the wet cloth away and struggling to my feet. “We’ll fight them …” Frank and Soheila each grabbed an arm as I started to sway.

“I’m afraid we’re not strong enough. All our people have been sent away.” Soheila looked longingly toward the charred remains of the doorway.

“Nonsense,” Frank said. “Did you see McFay knock that nephilim bastard back on his ass?”

“I think I budged him a couple of inches,” I said. “I finally got rid of the wards on my power. If you two will work with me, maybe I can learn to use that power.”

“What do you mean two?” Mac said, hurt in his voice. “I can help. And my family too. The nephilim are the ancient enemy of the Stewarts. We were able to hold back two of them and it was my Nan who gave Mr. Delmarco the spell, wasn’t it Mr. Delmarco?”

“Yes, Mac, it was. Your grandmother once told me your family had encountered the nephilim before. We’ll welcome the Stewarts help. We’ll have to rally everyone who’s left – the witches, the vampires …”