"Eeek, Tommy," Rae winces on his behalf. That sounds terrifying. "Let these heal, and then I'll be ready to compete in a scar-comparison."

Until then, they had both better stay safe.

"There've been a lot of scrapes, scratches, tears and bruises, but this is the first time anything has been outright broken. Thing is, though I've been lucky in this, too. Most people in my world who go up against vampires either live or die outright, with very few being seriously injured but surviving. Retired or invalided-out SOFs - there aren't many - usually go on to tend SOF's apple orchards."

Someone has to make sure the mistletoe stays happy.