She followed him, and they were out at the east wall of the house.

“Come this way,” Jacque said. Down at the corner of the house a honey-coloured horse waited. “You wait for the Principe here, okay?”

“A horse? We’re making our escape on a horse?”

“The Principe asked me to have everything ready. We wait for her.”

Daisy thought this was probably the worst idea ever. How were they going to outrun the Dreds on a horse? She heard movement up above her. Daisy looked up but couldn’t see beyond a window ledge in the dark.

Before she knew it, Victorija landed in a crouch beside her with a thump. She stood up slowly, trying to not show her pain.

“You organized a horse for our getaway? I know you lived through the medieval period, but there are quicker conveyances than horses, nowadays.”

Victorija held her stomach, clearly in pain, but then straightened herself up and pulled herself together. “Horses can go places motor vehicles cannot.” She walked over to the horse and stroked her neck. “We can get lost in the forest on her and buy us more time. Besides, this horse is special.”

“Why?”

Victorija rubbed its muzzle and said, “This is Angel.”

The penny dropped and Daisy said, “Angel is going to carry us, carry you, to freedom.”

Victorija didn’t respond, but that was clearly what was happening here. She turned to Jacque. “Is everything I asked for in the saddlebags?”

“Yes, Principe.”

She patted him on the shoulder and went into her pocket. “Thank you for your faithful service, Jacque. I wish I could say goodbye to your father, but alas, we must go. Tell him I will miss him.” She handed him a set of keys. “Take your father and mother and get far away from here. These are for two safety deposit boxes at my bank. There’s money, and jewellery you can sell. It’ll be more than enough to start a new life, Jacque.”

Jacque looked really touched. Daisy’s heart ached unexpectedly. Was this the bloodthirsty vampire who, Amelia said, referred to humans as lunch? Or was this Torija, the vampire who Lucia had helped unlock those long-buried emotions?

Angele was right, Daisy thought. Victorija did have a chance. She could be redeemed.

“Thank you, Principe. You are kind.”

Then Victorija handed him a bottle and started to speak rapidly in French. Jacque nodded in understanding.

What did Victorija not want me to hear, Daisy wondered.

Victorija jumped onto the horse easily and offered Daisy her hand. “Come on. We don’t have much time.”

“Jump? I’m not a bloody vamp—I can’t just jump,” Daisy said with exasperation.

“Take my hand.”

As soon as Daisy grasped Victorija’s hand, she was on the horse. “Thank you, Jacque. Good luck.”

“The same to you, Principe.”