“We did everything to serve Victorija Dred, and where did that get us? Tonight our Principe has chosen a human female over her clan. She has helped Daisy MacDougall escape our dungeon and run away into the night. Does that sound like a Principe? A true royal vampire?”

Her vampires shook their heads in disgust and murmured to each other.

“No. That is not a Principe I want to follow. Anka, a powerful witch, has offered to help us. Anka?”

Anka smiled. “Thank you, Drasas.” She gripped the armrest of the throne. “I lead a group of paranormals who refuse to be hidden, who refuse to stay in the shadows of human society. This was once our world, a long, long time ago. Humans bowed to us, they prayed to us, they feared us. I offered to help your Principe make the Dreds the most powerful vampire clan in the world, and to take down the Debreks. And she chose a human life over her clan. But we won’t accept that. Work with my people to bring on a new dark age, led by me, and your new Principe, Drasas.”

Drasas waited for the response which came almost instantaneously. The vampires cheered and shouted for Drasas. She had done it. This was her clan now, and she lapped up the attention.

She went back to Anka’s side, and Anka said, “You better find them, Drasas. This can all be taken away from you.”

Drasas didn’t want to ever give up this feeling of adulation. “I promise we will. We’ll start now.”

“Take my guard with you. I want Daisy MacDougall dead and Victorija’s power, if she hasn’t descended into madness by the time we catch her.”

“She will be fit and able, Madam. Victorija doesn’t have any self-control. She will be feeding on Daisy savagely by now.”

* * *

Daisy hated this. Victorija ran the horse at full speed without fear. But she was a vampire and could heal herself after a fall, while she could not, and so the ride was terrifying.

Victorija slowed as they got deeper into the forest. She had begun to moan and slump in the saddle.

“Are you all right?”

Victorija didn’t answer but slowed right down and slid out of the saddle. She hunched over on her knees, holding her stomach. “I need to feed.”

Then Victorija sped off into the trees, leaving Daisy on the horse. It felt even more scary being up here on her own. She had to get off.

Daisy held the saddle tightly and slipped her legs off the side, but she was still some way off the ground. Daisy didn’t want to let go.

The horse whinnied and Daisy said, “Angel, please move. I’m trying to help your namesake.” She couldn’t hold on any more and fell to the ground, hitting her shoulder painfully. “Bloody hell.” Daisy stood up and cradled her arm, crying out in pain.