Victorija was taken aback, not for the first time, by Daisy. She allowed herself to be pushed out the doorway and had the door shut in her face. Victorija heard the shower turn on and felt her body come alive with hunger, for Daisy’s life-giving blood, obviously, but more than that—sexual hunger.

It was something that had been lost to her until Daisy came into her life. Victorija’s mind was mentally picturing the scene behind the door, Daisy undressing and slipping under the warm water.

She placed her forehead against the door and felt her mouth water. She was sure her eyes would be glowing red. But instead of easily pushing the door open, she forced herself back to the bed.

How Daisy had the confidence to lower her guard and have a shower, Victorija did not know. Being denied what she wanted by someone who had no physical power over her was intoxicating.

Daisy had a power greater than any weapon, any superpower, and it made every cell and nerve in her body thrum with excitement. Then she heard singing coming from the bathroom, a beautiful voice to match a beautiful woman.

“Will this torture ever end?”

Victorija knew it would, one way or another. Either way unhappily.

She put her drink down and lay back on the bed. The pains in her stomach grew worse, and she rocked, clutching her head tightly.

“Don’t fall asleep, don’t fall asleep.”

* * *

Daisy finished drying her hair with the towel and walked out of the bathroom. She threw the towel down when she saw Victorija asleep but pushed up against the headboard, terrified of whatever she was seeing in her dreams.

“No, no. I don’t, I won’t—I can’t. No, don’t scream!” Victorija covered her ears with her hands and screamed and thrashed. “The rain, stop the rain!”

Daisy had to wake her. She shook her, trying to wake her gently. Before Daisy knew it, she was on her back, with Victorija holding her down by the wrists. Her eyes were red and her teeth sharp and scary.

Daisy’s heart was pounding, and her bite mark was throbbing, but she could only follow her instincts. “Torija, don’t hurt me. I know you won’t. Torija, listen to me.”

Victorija blinked once, twice, and then the fierce red in her eyes was replaced by clear but tortured eyes. “I can’t face them, I can’t.”

Daisy got the biggest surprise when tears filled Victorija’s eyes, and she collapsed onto her shoulder and wept. Daisy was frozen. This was not what she expected, but clearly the walls around Victorija’s emotions were coming tumbling down, just as Lucia thought.