“If you play along, Serenity won’t be harmed. I want a strong born vampire, and since I can’t get my hands on Victorija Dred, you will have to do. I’ll be back in touch soon about the exchange.”

“I can’t lose you, too, Byron,” Amelia said with worry in her voice.

Byron pulled Amelia into her arms. “You are not going to lose me. I’m Byron Debrek, and no dark witch is going to hurt my family.”

“I will die before Byron or Sera is harmed, Principessa,” Bhal said passionately.

Alexis came striding into the room. “All our people are on alert. If someone comes for us, they won’t last long.”

“Thank you, Duca.”

“Everything’s so confusing,” Amelia said. “Daisy and Sera going missing, and Victorija—who knows what’s going on with her.”

Byron kissed Amelia’s brow. “We’ll get to the bottom of it, I promise, and all will be well.”

Chapter Eighteen

Put your foot down, for God’s sake. You’re driving like an old woman,” Torija said.

Daisy looked to the passenger seat of her granny’s car and gripped the steering wheel tightly. They had left her granny’s house at the crack of dawn this morning, to drive down to London. Although Daisy and Torija had sorted out the near-ending of their relationship last night, things were tense between them. They were five hours into their journey, and Torija had been getting worse, mentally and physically.

“I’m not going to reply to that comment because you’re in pain.”

“Oh, how good of you. I don’t know why you wouldn’t let me drive.” Just at that moment she clutched her shoulder and grimaced in pain.

“Well, for one, you’re ill and in pain. Two, you don’t have a driving licence.”

“Vampires can’t exactly apply for a licence. When were you born? Hmm, quite a number of centuries ago.”

Daisy just replied with, “And three, you were born in a time when the fastest vehicle was a horse and cart. So just calm your jets, as we say in Scotland, and we’ll be there in no time.”

Torija shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “You know I’m not an expert on love, but aren’t you supposed to be nicer?”

“Look, it’ll just be a little while longer.”

Five hours later, they arrived in London, and things were even more tense. Torija was in pain and, having been stuck in the car for all that time, was deeply uncomfortable. Her mood was also dark because she knew what she was walking into. They found a place to leave the car and walked the final mile to the Debrek house.

“Don’t be nervous, okay? I’ll explain everything,” Daisy said.

“Born vampires don’t get nervous.”