Hands reached into the dark, secret room they'd been hiding in and grabbed Bethina, pulling her away from Katelina and the children. The woman-child hissed and struck out at her captor. She bit and scratched, but they took her anyway.
Katelina's hands scrambled to clutch at Alexander, but they pried him away and then they grabbed her. Her free arm attempted to bat them away while the other held the baby close to her. Despite her struggles, she was dragged from the tiny room and into the cellar, as though she weighed nothing.
When they released her, she jerked away ferociously. Five pale vampires were gathered around, an identically evil smile pasted on each of their faces. One was dressed all in black leather, another in red. They both had long matching coats of black and around their necks hung amulets made of three silver bands twisted together in an intricate knot.