Amelia looked back to Daisy. She felt overwhelmed. Could she believe this? Then she thought of all the strange behaviours that Byron and her sister exhibited. My God, was Byron a vampire?

She nodded to Daisy. It looked like she was the only one she could trust.

They sat and waited, and waited, and then there was a commotion at the door. Amelia saw Bhal, Alexis, and their people by the entrance to the club.

Daisy nodded and she slowly and quietly edged around the room, as tables and chairs went flying in an erupting bar fight. Victorija’s people met Bhal’s and Alexis’s people in the centre of the room. Amelia held her breath and prayed she could make it to the bathroom too.

* * *

Victorija had just ripped out the heart of one of Byron’s turned vampires, when something caught her eye—a girl in heavy clothing walking hurriedly towards the back of the club. Then the face came to her. Daisy MacDougall.

She turned back to the throng of vampires and bar patrons fighting and caught sight of Byron rushing down the steps into the room, dispatching ten of Victorija’s vampires in seconds, breaking their necks like twigs, and biting their necks. Byron was such a strong vampire. Victorija didn’t want to face her here without a new plan, but she didn’t have much time.

Victorija hurried to follow Daisy and watched her slip into the bathroom where she was sure Amelia now was too. She burst into the bathroom and found Daisy and Amelia embracing.

Victorija shut the door and said, “Ooh, can I watch?”

“Amelia, run! Get out the window,” Daisy said.

Daisy ran at Victorija, who grabbed her by the throat, and pushed her up against the wall.

“Stay where you are, Amelia, or I rip your friend’s throat out,” Victorija said.

“Victorija, don’t, please,” Amelia begged.

Victorija grinned. “If you wish. Stand there and don’t move, Amelia. I need to compel your little friend to cause a diversion.”

“I can’t be compelled,” Daisy said matter-of-factly.

Victorija gave her an incredulous look, and moved to within inches of Daisy’s face. “I doubt that, little girl.” She stared at her and said, “Kiss me.”

“In your dreams, vamp,” Daisy shot back.

Victorija couldn’t believe it. She could compel anyone. She held Daisy’s hands together tight. Daisy started to struggle. “I’m ordering you to do everything as I say it. Understand?”

Amelia watched with bated breath the scene that was before her. Daisy was standing up to a vampire, trying to protect her. A vampire. What has happened to my life?

“When hell freezes over, vamp,” Daisy replied with venom.

Amelia ran towards them, but Victorija batted her to the floor. “Let her go, Victorija,” Amelia said. “It’s me you want.”

“I do, but this little girl is annoying me. I knew she was trouble when I met her.”