She was going to defeat both Drasas’s premeditated attack and the blood sickness, and save Daisy for Angele.

Chapter Nine

Daisy lay on the uncomfortable bed in the dungeon, wondering why she had done this. She could be at home now or at the Debreks’—but no, she had to listen to some weird visions. If she’d interviewed someone like herself for Monster Hunters, even she wouldn’t have believed.

“I’m here to save Victorija Dred’s soul. Bloody nuts.”

If Skye and the guys knew where she’d gone—not to mention, her granny—they’d go crazy.

She jumped when the dungeon door opened and a confident-looking Victorija walked in, but as soon as the door was shut, her whole demeanour changed. She slumped, and pain was etched on her face.

Daisy jumped up and was about to speak when Victorija put her finger to her lips. Daisy didn’t say a word and watched Victorija carefully. She pointed to her ear and then pointed towards the door. Victorija was clearly worried about being heard by the guards at the door.

“I’m here to feed,” Victorija said.

“Please don’t.”

“Do you think I care what you say, human?”

As Victorija got closer, Daisy saw her pull an envelope from her waistband. She handed it to her, and Daisy broke the seal.

The first line said, Don’t say a word. They’ll be able to hear.

Daisy looked up to Victorija and saw her clutching her midriff in pain. Victorija must have loved Angele so much to be working this hard to keep her vow.

She began to read the letter.

In two days, Drasas is holding a ball to celebrate our new alliance with Anka and her followers. That’s when you will make your getaway. This is the plan. My trusted human servant Jacque will guide you to a place where I can meet you, and then I’ll get you out of here.

Wow. Victorija really had changed, a bit anyway. This was Daisy’s chance to get through to the light in her soul. Daisy gave her a thumbs-up. Victorija nodded and pointed at Daisy’s neck. She had to feign the bite again.

Daisy brought out the small penknife in her pocket and screwed up her eyes as she cut into the wound. It stung really badly, and she made sure she made lots of painful noise. She watched as Victorija’s eyes went red and her fangs popped out at the sight of her blood flowing freely now.

“No,” Daisy cried out, “you’ve had enough, stop.”

Victorija covered her face with her hands and sped out.

* * *

The night of the Dred ball had arrived. It was a day long awaited by Anka. She would bring to fruition her master’s plan for the dark time to take over the earth once again.

She was sitting in her casting circle, set deep in the catacomb system in the basement of her house. Her attendant Asha carefully placed candles, a skull, and other dark totems she had collected over her long life.