leaving me plenty of room to maneuver. He settled where I’d indicated, and I glanced over the room one more time, ensuring everything was ready. I was grateful once more to Mom for the circle on the carpet. No way I could have done this in time if I’d had to draw it by hand.

I turned to the altar and concentrated for a moment, preparing to close the circle. It was pretty much like last time, with me placing the candles, lighting them and saying the appropriate chants. Nothing new this time. Although when I got to the part about decreeing the space sacred, my heart did skip a beat. If you’re thinking that it’s odd to have a vampire in a “sacred space,” don’t think you’re the only one.

Circle cast, I felt the usual soft thrumming of power around me. Ou...

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