“They have a knowledge that spans time and powers that are shrouded in mystery. Gilbert went to him, after he killed my mother. He lasted a lot longer than he should have, despite the blood sickness. Maybe the Reaper knows something that can break the blood bond.”

“Maybe he can tell you about this, too?” Daisy stroked her fingers along the green veins in Victorija’s arm, which now reached to her elbow.

Victorija felt a stabbing pain in her stomach, worse than ever. How was she going to make it past even one more day and keep Daisy safe? She heard Daisy moan. Her yearning for blood was hurting Daisy, too.

“I want you to drink from me, Torija,” Daisy said.

“No,” Victorija shouted in frustration. “Stop asking me to do that. It’s suicide.”

“Torija, look at me.”

Victorija looked up and saw Daisy, who was dangling her necklace in her hand. She had made herself completely vulnerable.

Victorija jumped away in anger and fear. “Put that back on.”

“No. You said I had to feel comfortable and trust you before you would feed, and that meant taking this off.”

Daisy tried not to show the trepidation she was feeling inside. This was a calculated risk. It would either bring the real Torija out even more, or Victorija would take control, kill her, or use her for blood for the rest of her life.

Every part of Daisy was urging her to take this chance. She could save Victorija’s soul. Daisy walked forward slowly, holding the necklace away from her. “I believe in you, Torija. Taking this off puts me in your hands.”

Victorija pushed herself right up against the wall. “Don’t, I can’t be that person you want. I can’t be Torija.”

“You can be that and so much more. Your father isn’t here any more. You don’t need to prove yourself—you can embrace Torija.” Daisy could feel the power of Victorija’s hunger. This was either the best thing she’d ever done, or the stupidest.

“Why do you believe in me? I’m a monster.” Victorija snarled.

Daisy stepped closer and closer, her heart hammering in her chest. “Because Angele and Lucia did, and because monsters aren’t born, they’re made. If you had been brought up in the Debrek clan, you would have been a different vampire.” Daisy was inches from one of the most feared vampires in the world, but no matter the cost, this was what she was meant to do. She dropped the necklace on the floor and held out her arm. “I am a Brassard, and I consent to you drinking my blood, without any coercion.”

Tears were watering Victorija’s eyes. “I wish I had your faith in me. I don’t.”