“Of course, sweetheart. You made a mistake and lost control when you were young and couldn’t handle your abilities and needs. Bhal told me you are the most powerful vampire to ever have been born, and that’s got to be hard to handle when you’re young.”

Byron could still feel the terror of coming out of the fog of hunger, and finding herself with two people, apparently dead. “It was the worst moment of my life. I’d let my clan down, my parents down, and thought I’d taken the lives of two innocents. In that moment I believed I was just like my great-uncle Gilbert and Victorija, not a Debrek.”

Amelia cupped her cheeks, and looked directly into her eyes. “You are nothing like them. Would they have felt guilt and shame at what they had done? No, you knew you were wrong, and have been making up for it ever since. Byron, you are the noblest person I know. You and your family do many great things for the human population that keep you alive. Bhal saved the lives of the two people you hurt—it’s time to forgive yourself.”

Byron cleared her throat nervously. She had no idea how much Amelia knew, so she asked, “Did Bhal tell you who the humans were?”

“No, she said they grew to love you, but she said who they were was your story to tell. Will you?”

“Yes. I’ll tell you anything,” Byron said smiling. “The family is Katie’s. She is the newest member to join our staff. Her mother and father are travelling with my parents. We are very fond of them. The family gave me the gift of forgiveness, and I and my family pledge to look after them for all time.”

Amelia smiled. “That makes perfect sense. Katie is so loyal to you, but also extremely kind. It must run in her family.”

“It does, and I just hope that I never let that monster out again.”

“It’s not a monster. You just struggled and had to learn to control your powers,” Amelia told her firmly. “The woman that Victorija killed, Rose, you said?” Byron nodded. “Did you love her?”

“I cared for her deeply, but I didn’t allow myself to love. It suited us both. She was a witch in charge of a coven, and I had the business and the clan. But you know what?”

Amelia shook her head. “What?”

“She told me one day a woman would come into my life and not give me any choice but to love her.”

Amelia kissed Byron’s nose. “And here I am.”