"Mrs. Glade's eye's misted over. I wondered how Mom would take it if I was gone for nearly two straight years. I was sure she missed Tami more than I ...id."Okay, if neither of you can make a decision, I will," Mom started. "David, you can't move to Chicago for the summer."Mrs. Glade looked relieved. Mom was going to take the bullet on this one. I gave her a fake pout and Dad whacked me in the back of my head. I just stuck my tongue out at him. I knew what it cost Mom to do this. Tami and she had. " Has what?" ...a large.... phallus."The word hung in the air and it was the priest's turn to pause beforespeaking."Joseph, I'm sorry to tell you this, but it's critically important thatyou know... You are in serious danger." What do you mean, Father? What kind of danger?" I have seen this phenomenon before. Too many times, unfortunately. Theforces of darkness seek to corrupt our village with stunningregularity. All Hallow's Eve is a common interval for such acts.Thankfully, it has prepared me. "It's not that I want something to happen, Dad," Jason said as he put on his jeans. "But I can handle it better now if it comes down to that."Henry narrowed his eyes. "And what is that supposed to mean?"Jason paused to secure his jeans and turn towards the closet again. "Just what I said. I could handle it better now with what I've learned." You don't mean ... you'd take control of her?" Well, not enslave her if that's what you mean." Jason took a flannel shirt from the closet and threaded his. Away?’ Toe to toe and yelling up into his face, Sophie punctuated each word with a stab of her finger into his rigid chest. And, brought to bay and with blood still heated from his earlier terror, Cole’s fragile hold on his control snapped. ‘Because of you! You, Sophie. She hated you. She told me that – ‘ Seeing Sophie’s face blanch as it stared up into his own, he broke off. Knowing he should stop, laugh, tell her he was jesting, instead he framed her face with shaking hands, stroking a thumb.