Anka put her hand on Drasas’s knee and squeezed. “I know, my little vampire. You are so important to my plans, and I trust you would do anything you could to help me.”

Drasas was hungry for every touch Anka gave her. Around Anka she felt like she was constantly on the edge of orgasm, but never quite got there. Drasas would crawl for Anka, as she had before, to get any attention from her.

“I would do anything for you, Madam.”

Anka smiled and rubbed her hand up and down Drasas’s thigh. “That’s good, because I have a job for you today, and after losing Victorija and Daisy, I know you will do this to perfection.”

Drasas’s body was on fire. She could hardly think straight. “I won’t fail you.”

“Good, because this is the first test to see if you can handle great power.”

That thought doubled the fire scorching over her body, and she started breathing heavier and heavier.

Anka took off her gold ring and handed it to Drasas. “Put this on.”

When Drasas did, she felt a surge of power run through her. It made her feel confident and full of boundless energy. “Wow, what is this?”

“This ring is powered by some of the greatest paranormals the world over. I have collected that power diligently for many, many years. I had hoped that Victorija would be the last one to have her power taken and given to the one I deem fit enough to hold this power.”

“I can still get Victorija for you if you give me another chance,” Drasas said, as the ring fuelled her confidence.

“We will get a born vampire, one way or another, but the Reaper is an unintended bonus. He has great power”—Anka turned and stroked Drasas’s face—“and it will make you so much more powerful than I imagined you could be.”

Drasas was nearly shaking apart. “Yes, Madam. I need you to touch me.”

Anka sat back abruptly. “Later, if you accomplish what I want you to.”

The car finally stopped, and when Drasas got out, she found she was at an area of desolate ground, by the banks of the river Seine. Anka walked around the car to join her. “Where are we?” Drasas asked.

“We are at the current location of our man of the moment, the Reaper.”

“But there’s nothing here,” Drasas said.

“Just trust me, Vampire.” Anka led them slowly down to the river’s edge.

“Are there many Reapers in the world?” Drasas asked.

“Ten. There is a large world out there to cover, and ten is a perfect number in many ancient cultures. Come with me.”

Drasas followed Anka, but all she could see was wasteland.

Anka held her hands up and then, as if undoing a zip in a tent, brought her hands down, and an old fishing shack appeared out of nowhere.