Drasas’s rarely beating heart was pounding like a human’s. This must be how humans felt when faced with her. When everyone had gone, Anka backed her up against a wall. Anka didn’t have to say anything to make Drasas fearful—her silent stare into her eyes was enough. In fact, Drasas would probably have preferred screaming and shouting.

Instead Anka gazed over her face, examining her carefully. Then she drew a finger slowly down Drasas’s cheek. “You wanted me, Drasas, you wanted power, the power I could give you, and all I asked was that you give me a healthy Victorija, so I could have a born vampire’s power, and finally”—Anka stood back and continued—“I needed you to secure Daisy MacDougall. She is a descendant, who, along with Amelia Debrek, are the only two who can stop mine and my master’s plans. It is crucial that she is killed. Not only have you lost her, but you have lost my born vampire. How am I to give you the power you yearn for?”

“I can get them back for you. I promise. I don’t understand this. Victorija would never choose a woman over her clan, a human woman at that. I don’t understand it.”

“A blood bond can do strange things to you, Drasas. Follow me.”

She followed Anka back to the throne room. Anka’s guards stood in formation on either side of the throne, holding weapons that looked like machine guns. Drasas doubted they shot traditional bullets. They must be able to at least subdue a paranormal.

The Dred vampires took a collective intake of breath when Anka sat on the Principe’s throne. Drasas felt it, too.

But the sight of Anka on the throne flanked by her guards was a powerful sight and produced such a sense of strength and fear in the Dred vampires. Drasas wanted a piece of that, and if that meant handing over her vampires to Anka, she would do it.

She would do anything for Anka. Her choice was made.

Drasas walked up onto the dais and took her place at the side of the throne. Leo and those selected vampires who knew about tonight’s goal joined the guard around the dais. The others looked at each other worriedly.

Anka looked at Drasas, and Drasas knew what she had to do.

She took a step forward. “Vampires, you all know our Principe was suffering with blood sickness. It was making her weak, but still I and Madam Anka tried to help, Madam Anka with medicine to ease her discomfort, and I, her Duca, by bringing her blood bond to her.”

Drasas saw and heard one of her guards say to Leo, “Her horse is gone.”