Anka walked back to her chair, picked up her leather gloves, and slowly pulled them back on, one by one. “You wanted to know why you weren’t the born vampire I wanted, why you were just the bait, and I’m telling you why. Your great-aunt Victorija and your sister Byron will always be better than you, because they have a darkness in their souls that makes them ruthless, but you? You’re more concerned with drinking cocktails with your friends in Monaco, or skiing in St. Moritz, or saving puppies or whales or kittens.”

Sera said nothing but glared angrily.

“Your great-aunt Victorija I thought would be the easiest target, since your sister is the most powerful vampire on earth, but I didn’t expect her to feel compelled to save her blood bond, Daisy MacDougall.”

Sera was shocked. “What? Victorija saved Daisy?”

“Hmm…quite annoyingly, yes. I don’t know what came over her. They are on the run together as we speak.”

Sera laughed with surprise. “Wow, I’d never have thought Victorija had it in her.”

“My only option was to go for Byron, which was always going to be trickier. Hence why I needed you as bait.”

“Why do you need a born vampire anyway?” Sera asked.

Anka smiled. “To bring on the darkness, of course.”

“Byron will kill you, you know.”

“People have been trying that for centuries, but I always come back.” Anka started to walk away. “Sit tight, Serenity. Your time will come.”

* * *

Daisy’s eyes flickered open, and she heard shuffling around the room. She saw Torija packing a bag and trying to be as quiet as possible. Daisy got a sinking feeling.

She sat up quickly and said, “What the hell are you doing?”

Torija sighed and swore under her breath. “Go back to sleep.”

Daisy jumped up and crossed the room to Torija. “I bloody will not. What are you doing?”

“I’m going to find someone who can give me death.”

“But our plan was to go to Byron’s tomorrow,” Daisy said.

“It wasn’t my plan. I always had the intention of leaving you with your grandmother.”

“What?” Daisy was shocked and angry. “Why?”

Torija zipped up her bag and then turned to cup Daisy’s cheek. “Because I don’t want you shackled to me for all time. I want you to have a normal happy life, and I don’t trust that I won’t let the darkness take me over again.”

“I won’t let you do this,” Daisy said firmly.

“You don’t have a choice. I move too fast. I’ll be out of here before you know it.”

“I’ll come after you, or I’ll let Anka capture me,” Daisy said.

Torija turned back to her bag and put it over her shoulder.