Lucia pushed herself up with her stick and stood by Daisy. “There is a dark time coming, Daisy, and you and Amelia are the two people that will bring the paranormal world together and keep them together like glue.”

“I don’t understand,” Daisy said.

A golden light appeared, and Lucia started to walk towards it. Daisy’s mind was reeling from what she had seen. A question popped into her head. “Lucia? How do you love a monster?”

The Grand Duchess, who was almost at the light, stopped and turned around. With a small smile she replied simply, “You take off their mask.”

In an instant Lucia disappeared, and Daisy was back on her bed in the Debrek house. She was breathing heavily and feeling queasy. Everything she had learned was almost too much to process.

But then a thought as clear as day came into her mind. She knew what she had to do.

* * *

Byron walked from the bathroom into their bedroom. Amelia was already in bed, facing away from her. Byron got in beside her and hugged her from behind. “Are you well, mia cara?”

Amelia sighed. “I’m just worried about Daisy. I don’t see that there’s any way out for her.”

“We will find a way.”

“You didn’t when you were bonded to me,” Amelia noted.

“Maybe I didn’t want to find a cure.”

Amelia reached her hand back and pulled Byron’s head to her neck. “And I’m so thankful you didn’t. It’s time to feed from me.”

Byron ran her hand over Amelia’s slightly rounded stomach and thigh. “Are you sure you’re up to it?”

“Will you please stop asking me that every time you feed? I’m not going to break.”

Byron kissed her neck and then whispered in Amelia’s ear, “I never thought I’d have a wife and a baby on the way. Forgive me if I’m a little careful.”

“I need you, Byron. I need to feed you and for you to touch me.”

“But you are worried,” Byron reminded her.

“I need to feel safe.” Amelia took Byron’s hand and pushed it into the back of her underwear. “And you make me feel safe.”

Byron grasped the tender flesh of her wife’s buttock and squeezed. “Anything you wish, mia cara.” She ran her teeth over Amelia’s pulse point and felt her shiver. “Do you want me to go inside?”

Amelia answered with an, “Uh-huh,” and pushed back against Byron’s groin.

“Your wish is my command.” Byron pushed her hand down Amelia fleshy buttock and into her wetness. “You do want this, don’t you?”

“Yes, inside.”