Chapter 202: Tables Turned

It wasn't until Mom physically had her hands on Uncle Frank I realized how much trouble we were in. He was screaming over and over, a high-pitched keening sound into the early morning light, his body burning slowly from one side to the other. I dove for him, Mom's movement breaking my freeze.

It seemed we all moved at once then, piling on top of him, the very weight of our presence smothering Odette's magic and freeing him from her grasp. The moment her shields collapsed, the lavender power dissolving away with a sigh, a black cloud of energy enveloped Uncle Frank, blocking his undead body from the sun.

I had no idea how much damage was done. He had stopped his unearthly shrieking at least, though I wondered if he still burned and smoldered inside the curtain of darkness.

Mom was sobbing, but in control of herself, as if her tears and her actions were completely unconnected. She carefully lifted the shrouded form of my uncle with her magic, floating him toward the parking lot and ou