As Daisy and Torija walked down the early morning London streets to the Debrek mansion, nerves weren’t what Torija was feeling, but resignation and sadness that she was leaving Daisy, the Brassard that saved her.

The Reaper and Sybil both told her that she had to walk willingly into death to be redeemed, and that’s what she was doing. After all she had done, Byron would take her head and her heart. She would then face those she had harmed in the next world, till the end of time, no doubt.

They approached the steps to the house, and Daisy said, “Stay out of sight for a second. There’s cameras on the front door, and I need time to explain before they go crazy.” Daisy went up the steps and pressed a buzzer on the door, then waved at the camera above the door. “Hi, it’s Daisy.” The door lock clicked, and Daisy turned to her and said, “Give me five minutes.”

Daisy disappeared through the door. This was Torija’s moment. Walk willingly into death? She ran in so fast, she arrived in the middle of the entrance hall before Daisy.

“I told you to stay outside,” Daisy said with annoyance.

“Born vampires don’t follow orders.”

Daisy rolled her eyes. “It’s really quiet. Normally there’s vamps all around.”

The front hall area was empty, but not for long, Torija knew. “Give it a minute, and there’ll be vampires everywhere.” Time to do the right thing. Torija dropped to her knees and put her hands behind her back in a sign of surrender.

“What are you doing?” Daisy asked.

“Trust me.” Ten seconds later there were guns pointed around her head. “You do know I’m immortal—”

Before she could finish her sentence, Torija found herself flying through the air and smashing into the wall. Plaster and brick crumbled around her as she slid to the floor. Immortal or not, being smashed against a wall by another vampire still hurt.

Torija tasted blood in her mouth and spat it onto the floor. She heard Daisy’s voice saying, “No, please wait. She saved me—”

But the vampire who had thrown her so hard wasn’t listening. Alexis was bearing down on her, with pure red fury shining from her eyes. She lifted her again and smashed her repeatedly into the wall. “Fight back, what’s wrong with you?”

“I won’t fight you, Alexis.” Torija coughed up blood on the floor.

Daisy ran over and used herself as a human shield. “Stop, Alexis.”

“Get out of the way, Daisy. She turned me and killed my girlfriend.”

“Please give us a chance to explain,” Daisy said.

“Duca?” Byron’s booming voice cut across the chaos of the scene. “Stop.”

Alexis was breathing heavily. Torija didn’t blame Alexis. She had years of resentment piling on top of her.

Then Bhal was on her with her sword at her throat. “Where is Sera?”