Holiday shook her head. "I've never heard of them turning someone into a human for punishment. And believe me, there isn't a supernatural alive who hasn't had moments of wishing they were human. That's perfectly normal."

"Really?"

"Of course. We live in the human world. The grass always looks greener on the other side. Truth is, sometimes it is greener. But we can't change what we are simply by wishing it was so."

Kylie nodded. "So you think this is just a fluke?"

"I don't know. But if I were guessing, I'd say it will change just like it's changed numerous other times."

"Will I not have any powers until it changes back?"

The question seemed to stump Holiday. "I ... Wait. Can you still feel me attempting to alter your emotions?" Holiday rested her hand on Kylie's shoulder.

She felt the warmth leak from Holiday's touch through her shirt and flow into her skin. Then the soft heat seemed to form a bubble that flowed into her chest cavity, where it morphed into a soothing wash of emotion.

"Yes," Kylie said.

"Then I'd say nothing else has changed."

"So humans can't sense your touch?"

"No."

Kylie inhaled and found a little inner peace. Then she looked at Holiday. "Do you think I'll ever figure out what I am?"

"Of course you will." Holiday paused. "I didn't want to mention it because it's not a sure thing, but Burnett told me that the real Brightens, in Ireland, confirmed their plane reservations back to the States for the middle of September."

Kylie's heart skipped a beat. "Do they know about me?"

"Not that we know of. Burnett did some checking on the phone number for the caller the detective spoke to the day he'd thought he'd been talking to the Brightens. It wasn't their phone. The call was made from a cell phone, a throwaway, they call them. They can't trace it."

"But Burnett knows how to reach the Brightens now? I could call them, couldn't I?"

Holiday frowned. "I don't think this is something you want to talk about over the phone, Kylie."

Holiday was right, but Kylie was just so damn tired of waiting. She reached back and rubbed the tension in her shoulder and wished Burnett were still here. He'd cut out shortly after she'd started to cry. She wasn't sure if he'd been frightened by her tears or frightened by the thought of her asking him about what she'd seen when she'd walked in on them.

Kylie glanced at Holiday. "So ... you and Burnett?"

Holiday rolled her eyes. "It was just a kiss, Kylie. Don't make it out to be something more."

Kylie let a slight smile work its way to her lips. Right now, she could use any good news at all. "Was it a good kiss?"

"Just a kiss and ... a mistake. We were talking about Perry and Miranda, about how sweet it was. The moment got away from us and ... Definitely a mistake."

"Why, Holiday? Why can't you give the guy a chance?"

Holiday frowned. "The only reason I let this happen was ... my guard was down because..." Kylie saw the shadows of pain in Holiday's eyes.

"You're afraid Burnett's the one in the casket?"

She nodded.

"Which means you care about him. Can't you see that?"

"I care, but caring for someone isn't enough. And we work together. Romance and work never go together."

"It could if you wanted it badly enough."

"Then I guess I don't want it that bad," Holiday said sternly. But Kylie knew that it was a lie.

And she suspected Holiday realized it, too.

They sat silently for a few minutes. "About the whole funeral vision thing...," Kylie said.

"Yeah?"

"I think ... I mean, there's a chance I fixed it."

Holiday studied her. "Fixed what?"

Kylie didn't feel right telling Holiday that Ellie had been going to run away. "I might have done something that took someone out of danger. So maybe a vampire won't die."

Holiday frowned. "I'd love to think that's true. But you can't change Fate."

Kylie recalled that those had been the words the ghost had whispered, but she refused to believe. "Then maybe it wasn't really Fate," she said.

"I wish I could believe that," Holiday said.

"I do believe it," Kylie said. But there was a part of her that doubted.

And when she let herself think about it, it tore her apart.

Holiday's phone rang. The camp leader picked it up, looked at the caller ID oddly, and then took the call.

"What's up?" Holiday asked, and then glanced over at Kylie. "She's fine." Holiday paused. "I'll tell her." She hung up and met Kylie's eyes. "That was Derek. He wanted to tell you that if you needed to talk, he's here for you. As a friend. He insisted I add that last part."

Kylie nodded and her chest swelled with emotion.

A knock came at the door. Holiday looked at Kylie. "Are you up to company? Derek's not the only one worried."

Kylie nodded.

"Come in," Holiday said. Della and Miranda popped into the office, their gazes filled with concern. Behind them came Lucas, Perry, Helen, and Jonathon.

"I'm fine," Kylie told them, but more tears filled her eyes. Tears because she knew that these people weren't just her friends. They were her family.