The lad was seventeen and had worked in the castle stables since he was a young boy. His father was her dresser, and they were two of the humans that she could be accused of being fond of and were off limits to her vampires.

“Jacque, I’d like to take Angel out for a ride.”

“Yes, Principe, I’ll get her ready for you.”

As she was waiting for her horse to be saddled, she saw Drasas running out the door to meet her. Victorija stood a little straighter and tried to appear as well as possible. “Drasas?”

“Principe, Leo said you had fed from Daisy. How are you feeling?”

“Excellent, Drasas. I think after a few more days, I will be back to full strength, the born vampire that I always was.”

Drasas looked uneasy. “Wonderful, Principe. I was thinking, since you’re feeling better, why don’t we have one of those grand balls we used to have? We could invite Anka and her witches, toast our new alliance?”

Although she had already overheard Drasas’s plans, hearing it now whilst looking her right in the eye cut even deeper. She forced a smile and said, “What a wonderful idea, Drasas. Set it up.”

“Yes, Principe.”

When Drasas walked away, Victorija said, “Oh, Duca?”

Drasas turned around. “Yes?”

“I will pay you back for your loyalty to me as Duca. Where would I be without you?”

Drasas looked slightly unsure but then walked away.

Once she was out of earshot, Victorija said to Jacque, “Stick around. I want to talk to you when I get back.”

Plans were already formulating in Victorija’s brain. They were giving her much needed energy, and the adrenaline was helping with the blood sickness.

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?”