“The last time we met, in Monaco, you said we are not dissimilar,” Byron said. “You’re right, I have darkness in me, and if I had been brought up by Gilbert, I could well have been in your position.”

There was noise down the hallway, shouting and scuffling. “I want to see her. I won’t let you hurt her.”

“It’s Daisy.”

Byron stood and took the seat back to its original position. “Determined woman, isn’t she?”

“Determined, stubborn, single-minded, nobody can tell Daisy MacDougall what to do.” She started to hammer on the door. “You see?” Torija said.

Byron said, “Indeed I do.”

* * *

“Let me see her now, Alexis.”

“You are insane if you think Victorija Dred has changed.”

Daisy took a breath. As angry as she was for being kept away from Torija, she understood Alexis’s particular history and tried to be understanding, but she was just so worried about what Byron would do.

“I know what you’ve been through, Alexis, but she is trying to change and to find redemption.”

“There is no redemption for that much blood on her hands.”

Before she could respond, Byron opened the door and said, “Calm down, both of you. Daisy, Victorija wants to talk to you, and Alexis, Bhal, I’d like a word upstairs.”

Alexis turned to the guards by the door and said, “Only Daisy can come out of there. Are we clear?”

“Yes, Duca.”

Byron said to Daisy, “Just ask the guards to let you out, or if you need anything.”

“Thank you.”

Daisy went inside and threw herself into Torija’s arms. “I was so worried about you.”

Torija squeezed her tightly and rubbed her back. “Don’t worry about me. I’m a born vampire. Come and sit down.”

Daisy looked at the small sleeping area, the toilet facilities, and despaired that this was how their journey would end. She sat on the bed but kept a tight hold on Torija’s hand. “What did Byron say?”

“She listened, mainly. I told her of our journey to get here, and of course Byron can’t imagine that I’d changed, which I don’t blame her for.”

“And?”

“And she explained how Sera had been abducted by Anka.”

Daisy rubbed her forehead. The tension was giving her a headache. “Yeah, Amelia was telling me.”

“Anka wants an exchange for Sera. She wants a strong born vampire. Since they couldn’t find me to use for their plan, Anka set her sights on Byron.”

“There must be a way out. Byron can’t hand herself over to Anka,” Daisy said.

Torija lifted her hand and kissed it. “There is. Me.”