“No, of course not, Madam Anka. But they have been so elusive. No one has seen them, not even a glimpse. It’s as if Victorija has disappeared.”

“I need Daisy MacDougall brought to me—she cannot be allowed to survive. Victorija has either succumbed to madness or fed from Daisy.”

“Maybe she’s killed Daisy MacDougall?” Drasas suggested.

“No, she is alive. I can feel it. You will find her, Drasas.”

“What about Victorija?”

“Luckily I’m not reliant on you.” Anka stroked the side of Asha’s hip, and Asha looked at her with triumph in his eyes. A jealous surge of anger flushed through Drasas’s body.

“I need a healthy born vampire, but if I can’t, then I have a plan B in action. Find them, Drasas, or Asha will take the power you were offered. Don’t disappoint me.”

“I won’t, I promise, Madam.”

Drasas turned and strode off as confidently as she could. There was no way she was ever going to let that lickspittle Asha steal the power promised to her.

“Leo, let’s go.”

* * *

Byron got out of the car and looked up at the former industrial building. This whole area of the town was once the garment district, but most of the buildings were empty now. She looked at Alexis and said, “She might not even let me in, Duca.”

“Give her a chance, Principe.”

Byron nodded and together with Bhal they walked up to the buzzer. She pressed the one for the top loft apartment.

“Hello?” A broad Irish accent came over the speaker.

Byron cleared her throat. “Brogan? It’s Byron Debrek, and I wondered if I could have a word with you?”

Silence was the only thing that greeted her.

“I have Alexis and Bhaltair with me.”

Again there was silence, but the door clicked open.

“Well, that wasn’t very warm,” Alexis said.

Bhal patted Byron’s shoulder. “At least she’s let you in. It’s a first step.”

Byron nodded and led them all through the door and into an old-fashioned caged lift. She pressed the button and the lift creaked as it ascended. Byron adjusted her tie and smoothed down her coat. The lift came to a stop and opened onto a big loft area.

“This place hasn’t changed a bit,” Bhal said.

Their footsteps echoed on the exposed floorboards as they walked into the centre of the room. All around the walls were paintings, and some canvases were up on easels, waiting to be finished.

Alexis, who had walked further into the room, said, “Come and see this one.”

Byron and Bhal went over and saw a big bearded man with trees and leaves coming out of his face.

“Who is that?” Alexis asked.

“The Green Man,” Bhal said, “or the Horned God. He’s called both. He’s a Celtic God who marries the May Queen. She forgives him his sins, and then the new season can come.”