“Byron, will you look after Daisy for me?” Torija asked.

“Of course we will,” Amelia said. “We are bonded like sisters.”

When Byron’s phone rang, Daisy jumped.

“Yes? I have brought Victorija Dred for you. Will you accept her in exchange for my sister?” Byron nodded and ended the call. “She will accept you, Victorija.”

“Promise me this—can you ground your little sister, or something, for causing this much trouble?”

Byron actually gave her a small smile. “I will. You and I can move forward to the centre of the circle. Amelia and Daisy, stay close to Bhal and Alexis.”

“May I have one last goodbye?”

Byron nodded.

Torija walked up to Daisy, slipped her hands on her waist, and leaned her forehead against Daisy’s.

“Ah, cherie. It’s been a grand adventure, hasn’t it?”

She could see Daisy was trying to be brave. “Yeah, Vamp. It’s been fun.”

“You are going to have a good life and you’ll find love again,” Torija said.

Daisy’s tears couldn’t be held back any longer. “I told you, I’m never going to love again. I’m bonded to this powerful born vampire.”

Torija felt her own tears well up. She kissed Daisy deeply, trying to convey every inch of love she had for her. “I’m dying for you. Thank you for leading me back to the light.”

“Say hi to Angele for me,” Daisy said.

“Cherie, Angele and I will be in very different places. I love you.” Bhal, Alexis, and the rest of the guards stood just a few feet away. She spotted Magda the witch in the crowd. She nodded to her. “Goodbye, Debreks, one and all. It falls to me, Victorija Debrek, to win the day and save the damsel in distress. I take my leave of you.” Torija gave a flourishing bow, and winked and blew a kiss to Daisy.

She then turned and joined Byron.

“Was the grand speech of goodbye and flourishing bow really needed?” Byron asked.

“I’ve lived my life with a flourish, and I see no reason to face death without.”

“Let’s go.”

* * *

Amelia lifted her hand and felt energy spark in the air. She turned to Magda. “What is this?”

Magda stepped forward and said, “The henge is like a huge casting circle. The most ancient kind.”

Amelia remembered the casting circle she had entered in the New Forest. It had brought her the voices of her ancestors. She closed her eyes now and focused on the energy flying around the air like static. She heard wails and screams, and rain. Amelia tried to go deeper, and she started to hear the voices of her ancestors.

Amelia heard them and knew what to do. What every fibre of her being was telling her to do. She opened her eyes and turned to Daisy. “Do you trust me?”

“You don’t have to ask me that,” Daisy replied.