Amelia covered Daisy’s hand with hers and said, “I’m glad you came last night, Daisy. You put yourself in danger for me. I was so taken in by Victorija. I really believed she understood my pain, and even now I’m sure she was truthful, but yet she was willing to kill me. I think she’s a very mixed-up person.”

Daisy smiled. “Most villains are, aren’t they? But is Byron the hero of your story?”

“Not a chance. She lied to me, made me think I was going slightly mad with all the weird things going on around me, and then just broke my heart.”

“I know. I’ve watched your hurt over the last few months, but she did come back to save you at least.”

Amelia shook her head in disbelief. “She’s a vampire, Daisy. They all are. Sera, Alexis—my mind can’t even process it.”

“Amelia, how did that bite on your neck happen? Did she hurt you?” Daisy asked.

“No, it wasn’t like that. It was a passionate thing—I told her to, but she didn’t bite me properly like Victorija did to you. I think she was fighting her instincts.” Amelia felt her anger rise again, and clenched the bedcovers tightly. “Why am I making excuses for her? She broke my heart.”

“Because you still love her, don’t you?” Daisy asked.

Tears sprang from her eyes on cue, and tumbled down her cheeks. “I love her with all my heart, but I’m so angry at the same time. I don’t think I can ever forgive her for lying to me, and leaving me.”

“What happens next?” Daisy said.

“I go and talk to her, get some answers, then leave this creepy house and never look back.”

Chapter Eighteen

Amelia followed Katie down the corridor to the stairs. From first impressions, the Debrek London mansion was so different from the estate in Monaco. Where the Monte Carlo house was light, airy, and glam, this house was dark, and somewhat a relic of the past. They started to walk down the large dark oak staircase and she could quite easily imagine servants in traditional outfits walking these stairs and floors in the past. There were imposing portraits everywhere, and they all seemed to have an uncanny resemblance to Byron and Sera.

“Katie? Is Sera here?”

“Not yet, but she will be coming. She’s collecting something very precious to the family, then travelling to London, so I’m told. Not that I’m told a lot.”

As they passed various members of staff milling around the house, she noticed they all bowed their head to her.

“Katie, why are they doing that?”

“What?” Katie looked at her quizzically.

Amelia leaned in to Katie, as they passed a male member of staff, and whispered, “The bowing thing.”