“But you can do better. We can do better together. You heard what the Reaper said—this descendant thing I’m meant to be, you, me, Amelia, and Byron can draw all corners of the community together against Anka.”

Little did Daisy know that Byron would take her head if she went anywhere near her home. But the warmth from Daisy’s hand had now spread all over Torija’s body. She felt lighter, energetic, and aching to touch Daisy.

She cupped Daisy’s cheek and said, “Why would someone like me, having done the things I’ve done, help bring the community together?” She felt Daisy shiver at her touch, and every sense was on fire.

“Because you recognize the darkness. You’ve been in it, you’ve drunk it in, then found that there was still light there to grasp hold of and hold on to.”

“I want you so much it hurts me here.” Torija thumped her fist against her heart.

Daisy responded by moving in and giving her the sweetest kiss. It totally disarmed Torija. She was not used to kisses like that. Soft, loving lips that were a balm to her soul. Daisy took her hand and started to lead her from Angele’s bedroom.

Once they were in the guest room, Torija stopped. She was at a loss as to what to do, how to handle this. She had never felt like this, not even with Angele. They’d never got this far. Victorija was used to taking pleasure. This was different. Her heart wanted simply to touch Daisy and show her what was in her soul.

Daisy turned around and stepped closer. She stroked Torija’s blond locks from her eyes. “Torija, I want you to feed. I need it as much as you do.”

Torija leaned her forehead against Daisy’s. “How do you know that’s not the blood bond talking?”

Daisy placed small, tender kisses on her cheeks and lips. Torija felt hunger in her heart for the first time. She knew it didn’t come from the same place as blood hunger—that, she was certain of. She watched as Daisy pulled off her shirt and unclasped her bra, letting her full breasts tumble out. They were simply beautiful, and her hands ached to touch them. Then Daisy encouraged her to take off her T-shirt.

Her body was athletic and breasts small, so she rarely wore a bra. Daisy dragged her nails between Torija’s breasts, and she shivered as her nipples hardened. Torija was never this passive when having sex. Never had been, but this was different. This wasn’t purely a physical need for release. This was one heart, one soul, bringing light and love to an old, dark heart. Daisy stepped into her arms, and their two naked torsos came together.