A thought occurred to Amelia and she was almost scared to ask. “Byron? How long will I live?”

“As long as I do. We are one now.”

* * *

Byron left Amelia to dress and went downstairs to meet with Alexis and Bhal in her office. Now that she and the clan had a Principessa, their ways of doing things would need to change.

She sat down at her desk, and Alexis and Bhal bowed their heads.

Alexis said, “How do you feel, Principe?”

For once she could tell the truth. “More alive than I have felt in three hundred years, Duca.”

Bhal smiled with pride. “I’m so happy for you, Byron. I knew you would find happiness one day.”

Byron gave her old friend a mock glare. “I believe I have you to thank for helping Amelia to come to terms with what she was to me, and what we are.”

“Well, you both needed a push in the right direction,” Bhal said.

“I’m glad you did. I gave her the Grand Duchess’s ring, so now I’m well and truly ready for whatever the Dreds have in store. They thought I was a difficult opponent before”—Byron slapped her hand down on the desk—“but now I have a Principessa to protect, and I will be relentless in keeping her and my clan safe.”

Alexis nodded, and said, “We face a resurgent Dred clan at a time when our world is the most insecure. The Principessa’s friend, Daisy MacDougall, has been exposed to our world, and she cannot be compelled. I’ve never seen anything like it, and she looks to expose the paranormal on the internet.”

“I know there are lots of things we need to address, and that’s why I’ve asked everyone here today, and why I’ve asked Amelia’s uncles to join us. We have to ask the humans who know about us to help keep our world secure.”

“Do you think they will do that? Daisy MacDougall is a loose cannon,” Alexis said.

Byron took out one of her cigars and began to prep it. “I think through loyalty to Amelia, and to keep her safe, they will. Speaking of keeping her safe, did you ask Wilder to join us, Bhal?”

“Yes, she’s outside, Principe,” Bhal said.

“Ask her to come in.” Byron lit her cigar and blew out a long cloud of smoke.

While Bhal got her, Alexis leaned over and said, “Are you sure this is a good idea, Byron? She is a warrior with a chip on her shoulder who doesn’t respect the chain of command.”

“Trust me, Duca,” Byron said firmly.

Wilder walked into the office stony-faced.

“Bhal, Alexis—could you leave us?”

Once they left, Wilder said, “Principe, how can I serve?”

“I want to talk to you about the Principessa. She has now accepted her place beside me, and wears the Grand Duchess’s ring.”