Lilac Valley

Sisters

Amber stands in the lobby of town hall.

"You're back," Carter says. "Wouldn't this be a demotion?"

"Secretary Wilkinson wants me here," Amber explains. "Lilac Valley and Harper's Cove are the biggest targets."

"I understand Massachusetts," Carter says. "It's where everything started, but why New York?"

"New York is where everything happens," she tells him.

"Where are you living?" Carter asks.

"Across the hall from you," Amber answers. He smiles. "I know my father. I know he's planning something."

"Are you here to keep us safe?" Carter asks.

"Something like that," she answers.

~

"Amber!" Sabrina exclaims. She wraps her arms around her sister. Two girls hugging in the middle of Amethyst Café is a normal occurrence, but this is not a normal circumstance.

"What are you doing here?" Amber asks.

"You don't know?" Sabrina asks. Amber shakes her head. "I'm dating Eddie Rosen. I met him at a diner in the city. He's really cute and nice and smart and funny."

"And you're using him," Amber assumes. "Stay away from him."

"I'm not going to hurt him," Sabrina says.

"If you don't, dad will," Amber says. "That's how you two work. You're just like dad, can't make a relationship work to save your life."

"What about you?" Sabrina asks. "You choose career over romance over and over again."

"I'm trying to make this world a better place from people like you." Anger rises in Amber's voice. Sabrina chuckles.

"It's not Eddie, I'm after," Sabrina explains. "He's the most boring vampire I've ever met. Then again, he is half-human."

"Con," Amber figures.

"Bingo!" Sabrina says. "And dad is after Carter and his parents and Autumn and her parents."

"Was dad responsible for what happened at Washington Square Park?" Amber asks. "All the other attacks?"

"You know he was," Sabrina says. "But he had help."

"Stay away from my friends," Amber begs. "Stay away from this town."

"I'm not going anywhere," Sabrina says. "We're going to war. You need to choose the right side."