To say Amelia was overwhelmed was an understatement. She retreated to her room, and apart from a text to her uncle to let him know she was safe and with Byron, she had lain on the bed and stared into space, trying to sort out her thoughts.

The bite on her neck was almost continually burning now, and every hour or so it became painfully intense, and her urge to go to Byron was almost uncontrollable.

Something had changed inside her.

There was a knock at the door and a voice said, “Amelia, it’s Daisy. They’re letting me leave now. I just wanted to check on you first.”

Amelia sat up, and wiped her tear-stained face. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, and her bite was burning red. It was like her bite and her heart were trying to tell her to do something. To act in some way that she just didn’t understand.

She opened the door to find a concerned looking Daisy. “Are you okay?” Daisy asked.

“I’m okay.”

“What did Byron say to you?” Daisy asked.

“She explained why I’m in danger, and there are also some things I need to come to terms with.”

“Alexis the vamp says I can leave, if I take a guard. I don’t know why they’re worried about me. Are you staying?”

Amelia nodded. “For the time being. I need to work all this out in my head anyway. I’ll walk you out.”

As they walked downstairs, Daisy said, “If you need me, I’ll be here in a second. You know that?”

“I know. I won’t be here for long. I’ll let you know,” Amelia said.

At the bottom of the stairs Alexis, Wilder, and a couple of people she didn’t know were waiting for them. Amelia made eye contact with Wilder, but Wilder quickly averted her gaze, and Amelia felt such a deep sense of guilt. For months Wilder had been the only one to make her smile, and yet she had gone out with Victorija, and now was apparently married to Wilder’s boss. It was one big mess, and by Wilder’s demeanour, she obviously hadn’t just been doing her job. Wilder had genuinely liked her. She needed to talk to her, alone.

“Miss MacDougall—” Alexis started to say, but Daisy corrected her.

“Daisy—I’m no Miss.”

Amelia smiled, and knew Katie would enjoy the look of displeasure on Alexis’s face.

“Very well, Daisy. Wilder will take you home safely, and leave two of our warriors to guard your residence for the time being.”

“Fine, and don’t panic. You won’t be all over YouTube tomorrow. At least not until I get the okay from Amelia.” Daisy winked at her.