Carwyn crouched down and lifted her in his arms, careful to make sure she was covered. Her skin was still burning hot as he sent out his energy to move the earth in front of them, slowly clearing a path out of the mountain. After a moment, he could hear movement as they broke through the rocks and roots, making their way to the surface. Deirdre called out, but he said nothing, conscious of Brigid’s newly keen hearing.

“Just keep your eyes closed, love. You don’t have to see or talk to anyone right now if you don’t want to.”

“Is everyone out there? I can smell them. Smell the humans.” A low snarl ripped from her throat, but her voice was desperate. “Don’t let me hurt anyone!”

“I won’t.” He clutched her tighter and felt the bite of her burning skin. “There’s quite a few out there. They were trying to keep the other houses from burning.”

“Oh, God!”

“Shhh,” he whispered. “Remember, we’ll build again. No one was hurt. Just wood and stone, Brigid.”

“I’m a monster.”

“No, you’re not.”

He took deep breaths, hoping she could mirror his movements. Her arms were wrapped around him and one hand lay over his heart. Carwyn gritted his teeth when he felt the blistering heat burn his skin, but said nothing. The outer crust of the mountain crumbled before him, and he pushed his way through, still holding tightly as he saw familiar faces.

“All humans,” he roared, “get back now!”

His voice must have thundered in her ears because Brigid cringed and tried to escape his arms. He held her even more tightly and felt the bite of her fangs in his shoulder. He swallowed the groan. Deirdre’s worried eyes met his, but he shook his head and she remained silent.

“She needs blood,” he said roughly.

The humans fled and Carwyn searched for Anne’s face. She had followed him from Galway and he was more grateful than ever for the caring and sensitive water vampire. Anne nodded in understanding and he saw her order Deirdre away as one of Ioan’s children ushered them to a barn where Carwyn could hear cattle lowing. The other vampires on the farm looked on with wary eyes as the fire flickered along Brigid’s neck.

“Everyone’s looking at me, aren’t they?” she whispered.

“Just hold on to me, Brigid.” Her burning hands seared him again, but Carwyn held strong. “I’ve got you. Don’t let go.”

Book Two: Fire

You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain

while it blazed with fire to the very heavens,

With black clouds and deep darkness.

Deuteronomy 4:11

Chapter Twelve

Galway

August 2010

Brigid heard a crash down the hall as the ground shook when Carwyn and Deirdre started arguing again. Anne cocked an eyebrow and moved another chess piece, but didn’t say a word.

Deirdre yelled, “Why don’t you call Gio?”

“Gio is on the other side of the world. You expect him to leave Beatrice in China to come here and help her? Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Why does she need to leave at all?”

“Are you mad, Deirdre? She’s a fire vampire. Fire. Not earth. I may be a thousand years old, but I can’t teach her how to control fire, you idiot.”

The earth gave another jolt, followed by another crash. Brigid only pursed her lips and looked up at Anne, moving her rook into position to take a black pawn. “Do you think it would matter if I told them what I want to do?” she asked.

Anne was the picture of calm as she said, “Probably not. Just let them fight. I think they enjoy it.”

Brigid craned her neck to glance down the hall, but only saw the edge of Deirdre’s wild red hair. “Fine with me.”

“I hate that woman, Father. Hate her. Brigid is my child now, and I don’t want her near—”

“That vampire is your sister-in-law, and you’ve been at each other’s throats for over fifty years now. Get over it. She’s family. More importantly, she’s a fire vampire and she’ll be able to teach Brigid things that you can’t.”

Brigid heard Deirdre growl and there was another crash.

She surveyed the board, carefully weighing her options, seeing every move and its consequence as her brain fired at lightning pace. “Is Cathy really that bad?”

Anne shook her head. “No. I’ve only met her a few times, but I liked her. If you ask me, she and Deirdre are too much alike. It’s just that Cathy says whatever the hell is on her mind and Deirdre doesn’t. That’s why they don’t get along.”

“Sorry about your kitchen.”

“I think they’re only breaking dishes. Doubt they can help it. Earth vampires.” Anne snorted. “It’s fine. I didn’t really like that set anyway. I’ll make Carwyn buy me a new kitchen if it comes to it. He’s got the money.”

The two vampires continued to shout in the background as Brigid carefully proceeded with her offense. Anne had taught her to play chess when Brigid first came to stay with her in Galway five years before. Their friendship had remained one of the few constants in Brigid’s life. She was glad to be with Anne, despite the circumstances.

Her first few nights in Wicklow had been a blur. Carwyn and Deirdre quickly dug shelter in the hills behind the ruined house, but Brigid knew she could not stay for long. The enticing smell of human was everywhere. Also, they had to keep buckets of water around to douse her anytime she got too heated. Mostly, she felt numb. Driving back to the misty shores of Anne’s isolated home on the shore of Galway Bay had been a relief.