He explained how one or more of them would scream fire when they got in the building.

"We'll grab Clarissa and Erin and get out."

Leggett put up his hand. "I'll do it. I'll scream fire."

Ronan grabbed Leggett's collar and said, "Teleport to the community center. Now."

Clarissa jammed on the bar door handles at the same Erin did and they stepped into the empty vestibule. Both rooms in the separate wings of the community center held at least a hundred people milling about in costumes. The popular songMonster Mash filtered out of both rooms. Clarissa figured she'd see some murder or mayhem going on after that scream. Instead everything looked normal, people walking and talking, dancing and laughing.

Another screech erupted, sending chills up and down Clarissa's spine. A low groan followed. She figured it out. "It's a soundtrack. They're playing noises along with the music."

Erin sighed. "Thank goodness." She looked into one room, then the other. "Where do we go first?"

Clarissa made a command decision. "The main room with the stage is to the left. Let's go there first."

They plunged into the crowd and Clarissa felt a renewed strength simmering deep in her body until the power percolating in her system felt more intoxicating than wine. Earlier she'd been aching and feeling a little dizzy, but ever since the exhilarating run through the woods, she'd felt much better. She expected fear to make her heart operate like a jackhammer. It didn't. Fright didn't seem like an option any more. All these people depended on her and Erin whether they knew it or not.

Plowing through the throng, they bumped into people dressed like ghosts, goblins and assorted devils. On occasion a little kid costumed as an innocuous cat or bunny rabbit wandered into their path. Clarissa's heart ached and her throat went tight when she thought of anything happening to the children. They'd made it almost all the way to the stage up at the front.

A rumbling overruled the sound system, and several people stopped dancing, looking around as if they heard the noise.

"What was that?" Erin asked.

Clarissa didn't get to answer. The lights went brighter and the stage made a strange cracking noise. Another crackle came from the speakers and a husky laugh drowned out the music.

"I don't think that was planned," Erin said.

"Definitely not. Do you know where the main plug-in point for the decorations is?"

Erin made a thumbs-up gesture. "I do. I'll unplug it."

"One less thing to catch fire. I'll get the music unplugged, too."

"While I'm at it, I'll check the circuit breakers outside."

For a second their eyes locked, their friendship cemented by mutual peril.

"Be careful," Clarissa said.

Erin managed a smile. "You, too."

Erin headed toward the area beyond the stage and the backrooms.

Within seconds the twinkling orange, yellow and brown lights around the stage and in the autumn leaves arrangements around the room stopped blinking and the last few strains ofMonster Mash faded.Groans and mutters of surprise filled the room.

Before Clarissa could move the ancient one's cruel voice filled her head.They must all die.

Clarissa sent a confident message.They don't have to. This isn't necessary.

If it was up to me, I'd consume them when I needed, one by one over the days and months ahead. But that's not what thedarkestwants. And thedarkestwants you and Erin and all of Pine Forest to be shattered.

You've already turned the town into a major crime center. What else could you want?

A sinister chuckle filled her head.The darkestmust have complete domination. Chaos.

Ruin.

She didn't know if psychology would work on a creature like the ancient one, but she tried.What about what youwant?

A long pause lingered until the ancient one said,I am only the servant, not the master.

These words, whispered with a tone filled with savory delight and resignation, formed a cold, hard pit in her stomach. She'd thought her nastiest worry would center on the vampire, but perhaps she'd been mistaken.

She recognized that to get everyone's attention she would have to make a scene. She moved to the steps leading to the stage with a preternatural speed and stood upon the stage. She started for the podium. Danger simmered in her blood, pulsed through her skin. She knew anyone who looked could see the glow radiating from her eyes. People started to notice before she reached the podium. They pointed, a combination of fear and annoyance holding them captive. Instinct took over as new strengths swelled in her body.

I have your friend.This time the putrid voice was a combination of the ancient one and something more baleful.Cease your efforts or she dies.

"Listen!" Clarissa called out above the noise. "Everyone needs to leave this building now. Something bad is about to happen."

Voices went up around the crowd. "What is she doing? What is going on? Whois that?"

A commotion at the front made people part like the Red Sea as Jared and Micky pushed their way through.

"She's telling the truth." Jared's voice carried way above the crowd. "Everyone's got to leave. It's like we said at the meeting the other night."

"Who are these fruitcakes?" a man dressed like a pinecone asked. "Is this part of the party?"

"Get down off there!" A man attired as a stereotypical vampire, white-painted face twisted with annoyance, jeered at her. "Stop scaring people!"

Blinding emotion made her say again, "Listen to me."

She noticed people bunched up at the front of the building in the foyer.

"Fire!" A male voice came from the front entrance above the restless murmurs. "Fire!"

She glanced over and saw Jim.Jim.

People whirled at the sound of his voice.

Everything seemed to switch to slow motion, despite the instantaneous reaction of the people.

Clarissa saw Ronan's beloved face behind Jim and heard his husky Irish tone in her head.Clarissa, it's all right. We're here now. Leggett's trying to get everyone to move out of the building by saying there's a fire when there isn't.

Overjoyed at seeing him, she wasn't prepared for the popping noise on stage. Screams went up as two huge hands clasped her shoulders from behind.Sharp nails and bone-hard fingers pressed into her flesh with splinter intensity pain. She saw Ronan's eyes widen before the cruel fingers spun her around to face their towering owner.

All previous description didn't prepare her for the reality of seeing the gargoyle face outside of her vision.Gray and hard as stone, the face held the curves and sharp cuts associated with a gargoyle's lines. With his bald head and somewhat pointed ears, the creature stood out. His lips drew back in a caricature of a smile, the canine teeth extraordinarily long and sharp. Cloaked neck to toe in a huge black cape, the gargoyle- like vampire fit in with a few of the other fake vampires wandering the room.

She heard Ronan's voice in her head.Clarissa, do not look into his eyes!

More voices gathered inside her, their murmurs and pleas frantic for her attention.