One thing Amelia did allow herself was to buy baby clothes, and folding them away was therapeutic to her. Byron found her wife here often, making a little nest for their baby, and it warmed Byron’s heart. But tomorrow, her spirit might only be able to watch from the other side. It would kill her to leave Amelia’s side.

“Mia cara?”

“Byron. How did it go with Victorija?”

“Why don’t we have a seat.” Byron brought a wooden chair over to the nursing chair Amelia sat in.

“This sounds ominous.”

“No, just a bit of a gamble, and I hope you think I’m doing the right thing,” Byron said.

“Okay, tell me.”

Byron launched into an explanation of what Victorija offered. “Alexis thinks I’m insane to trust her, and I suppose I am, but even after all she’s done, my gut tells me that this is the right thing to do.”

“No, you’re not insane. Far from it. When Victorija took me out to dinner, do you remember?”

“How could I forget?” Byron said with some anger in her voice.

“I saw something in her eyes when she talked about the pain she had endured. There was something, some emotion left inside her, and after what Lucia said, I think the risk is worth it.”

“This all hangs on the notion that Anka will accept Victorija. If not, I will have to—”

“Don’t say that—don’t even think it. How can she keep Sera locked up, anyway? She’s a born vampire.”

“I know. Anka is a slippery, extremely clever character, and powerful with it. Bhal says she has access to a very ancient power,” Byron said.

“So what’s the plan?”

“Anka wants us to meet at Stonehenge at quarter to midnight.”

Amelia rolled her eyes. “She likes to be dramatic, then.”

Now came the difficult part. Byron rubbed her hands together, and just as she was about to open her mouth, Amelia said, “Magda called. She said she would like to be there to help in any way she could.” Byron cleared her throat. “She is a very powerful witch, sweetheart.”

Amelia must have taken her hesitancy as lack of enthusiasm. “No, of course she is. I’ll be grateful for her backup. It wasn’t that, it’s—”

“Oh no.” Amelia narrowed her eyes, and unfortunately for Byron her wife could read her like a book. “Don’t even think about it. There is no chance you’re leaving me here.”

“It’s too dangerous. We have too much to lose,” Byron said.

“I am one of the descendants, Byron. Daisy and I are supposed to show the paranormal world how well everyone can work together against the darkness of our world. I can’t not turn up to our first big challenge.”

“I can’t lose you, mia cara.” Byron’s voice cracked with emotion.