“Their position is only temporary. We can’t risk them knowing. They might eventually share their knowledge for political gain or monetary reasons. Besides, would you trust our current incumbent? It would be in the tabloids the next morning.”

“And why wouldn’t that be a good thing? People deserve the truth. I’ve searched for the truth with Monster Hunters for a long time, and our followers are hungry for the truth.”

Her grandmother turned to face her. “People, countries, would try to use paranormals for their own gain. If a tyrant or a dictator had knowledge of this world, they could gain unquestionable power over everyone else. Not to mention that the public would be so angry this secret had been hidden, and all their beliefs and certainties would come crashing down. There would be civic unrest, and a dark time would be ushered in.”

Daisy thought about it. Byron had said pretty much the same to her, about protecting their work. She supposed that some humans would seek to leverage the paranormal world to gain an advantage over others, and life wouldn’t be the same.

“So, how did they die?”

“Your dad was killed in Munich while helping your mum with a case. He was a brave man. Your mum was tasked with tracking a particularly vicious vampire who was killing with impunity.”

Suddenly the thought came into her head, “It wasn’t Victorija Dred, was it?”

Her grandmother shook her head. “No, although she has killed many around these parts. No, we don’t believe so. She always gave our family a wide berth for some reason. We really don’t know why.”

Daisy felt all the air sucked from her lungs. Victorija’d had a reaction to her that night in The Sanctuary. If only Daisy had known then what she knew now, she could have…Well, she didn’t know what, but she’d have done something.

“I need to know everything about this, Granny. It’s my destiny.”

“I know that now. I will tell you, but you must tell me everything you know, too.”

Chapter Two

Drasas, Victorija’s Duca, strode into the throne room of the French castle which served as the clan headquarters of the Dreds. She was followed by her next in command, Leo, and a group of elite guards. Since Victorija had gone to Scotland to seek out Daisy MacDougall, she had free rein over the day-to-day business of the clan and the castle. She liked it and revelled in the power it gave her.

All their vampires and human servants were hers for the moment, but she wanted more than a moment—she was hungry for more, and thanks to her alliance with Anka, she was determined she would get a whole lot more.

“I have a report on our Principe, Duca,” Leo said in a somewhat hushed voice.