Drasas couldn’t help but laugh at the twist of fate that had chosen a Brassard, a vampire hunter, to be the blood bond of one of the most powerful vampires on the planet. “Amazing.”

Victorija had only one rule after she turned Drasas. None of the Dred clan was to kill or turn any member of the Brassard family. Drasas could never understand why. Victorija was ruthless. Why would she protect vampire hunters? It made no sense, then or now. In fact, years ago, when Drasas was being tracked by a vampire hunter, a Brassard, Drasas killed her and her male companion, and never told her Principe. Could they have been Daisy’s relatives?

“So, has she got Daisy yet?”

“No. The guards I sent to follow her watched her go into Daisy’s bedroom and leave without her,” Leo said.

“Did she feed on her?” Drasas asked.

“I don’t believe so. The guards reported her hands shaking, and that she was drinking greedily from the potion Anka made for her.”

Anka wanted to keep Victorija as calm as she could, and her blood sickness under control, until she got her blood bond where she wanted her. Once Victorija was drinking from Daisy, then she would have her full control and powers back. And Anka would steal them. Anka had been building her power for a long time now, draining it from the world’s most powerful paranormals.

Anka had reported that the last one she had drained was Dante Wolfgang, Alpha of the Wolfgang pack. Now she needed a powerful born vampire. Byron Debrek was the most powerful vampire in the world but would be too difficult for Anka to get to, whereas Victorija would now be easier, in her weakened state.

Drasas was promised that, in return for her assistance, Anka would make her the strongest vampire on earth, and that was just too good to turn down, even after all that Victorija had done for her. It was survival of the fittest.

“What do you want us to do?” Leo asked.

“Send our best guards, pick up Daisy MacDougall, and bring her back here. The Principe needs her, and she’s going to get her.”

Just at that, the large oak doors of the throne room burst open, and Victorija came striding in.

“Getting comfortable, Drasas?” Victorija sneered.

Drasas jumped up quickly. Victorija might be compromised by her sickness, but she could still end Drasas’s existence. “Sorry, Principe. We were just talking about you. We were concerned. Have you brought Daisy MacDougall back with you?”

Victorija’s eyes were bloodshot, giving her a frightening and unpredictable look.

“No, I couldn’t find her.”

Why was Victorija lying, and why did it look like she was struggling?

“Shall I send some of the guards to pick her up?”

“No,” Victorija barked, bringing silence to the whole room. “I want some time to think. Nobody is to touch her for the moment, understand?”

“Yes, Principe.”