In the fourth story in Mimi Mondal’s (miminality) fictional “Blood Ties” series, which focuses on the interconnection among six characters in the world of Briarwood, there are rumors of vampires afoot. The story of Leona’s white dog, Sugarbean, reveals how even the smallest creatures shape and are shaped by the invisible threads of love, memory, and connection. In her 12 years on Earth, Sugarbean has sniffed her way through countless encounters. While her family back at the farm barked at every passing car, Sugarbean—just three months old—moved to campus to live with Leona. In the vibrant university town of Briarwood, just when she thinks she’s smelled it all, something new always surprises her. Sugarbean has learned that the world is full of friends—if you greet it with a wag and a smile. That’s how she met Ronny. Every evening, they run together and Ronny stops at a store for a break. Though memories are slipping from Sugarbean’s mind, the rhythm of their days has always stayed t...