Daisy felt terrified. The horse was a very long way off the ground. “Is this a good time to tell you I’ve never been on a horse before?”

“Just hold on tightly to me. I’ll take care of everything.”

Daisy felt a warm glow in her stomach, and without fear she wrapped her arms around Victorija’s middle.

“Let’s go, Angel. We have a Brassard to save.”

With that they were off at a canter. Daisy closed her eyes and held on as tightly as she could.

If only Byron and Amelia could see her now.

* * *

Drasas was getting nervous. Victorija had been away for a while, and Anka was due any minute. She had promised to produce a healthy born vampire in Victorija, and for that she would be rewarded.

“Leo, go and find the Principe.”

“Yes, Duca.”

Almost as soon as Leo went to find their Principe, the doors to the throne room opened, and in walked Anka in a gorgeous ballgown, her aide Asha, and a large group of her followers. Drasas gulped in fear. Not only was Anka herself extremely powerful, but she was also backed up by a mixture of dark witches, vampires, werewolves, fae, and other paranormals.

The Dred vampires that were dancing and having a good time stopped and parted to allow Anka and her group through. There was a tension in the room—Drasas felt it most acutely. She had to deliver Victorija.

“Drasas, this looks like a wonderful celebration of our new alliance. Where is your Principe?”

Drasas gulped. “Leo has just gone to fetch her. She was otherwise engaged with a female.”

Anka smiled. “Ah, I see. What a wonderful way to celebrate her return to health.”

Leo came out of nowhere with speed to arrive at Drasas’s side. She clearly wasn’t expecting to see Anka already there, as his worried look showed. “Duca? A word in private, please?”

Anka walked up the steps to the dais and said, “You will speak in front of me.”

Drasas nodded when Leo looked for permission. “The female is recovering from a broken neck. She has no idea how she got there.”

Drasas started to panic. She raced off to check the dungeon on a hunch. Leo followed her. Drasas opened the door and found it empty. She screamed in frustration and grabbed one of the guards at the door. “Where is our prisoner?”

“In there? No one’s passed us.”

“Compulsion.” Drasas snapped his neck in anger.

Anka arrived by her side. “Where is Daisy MacDougall?”

“Gone.” Drasas was terrified of Anka’s reaction.

“Everyone leave us,” Anka said firmly.