Victorija stepped into the lift. “Ride with me up to my apartments. The stench of cowardice is making me feel sick.” The doors closed and Victorija said, “I think these humans we turn get softer with each passing century.”

Drasas handed her her phone. “This might cheer you up, Principe. Amelia Honey is back at work, although with a wall of warriors and vampires around her.”

Victorija gazed at the pictures of Amelia getting out of a Debrek car and walking into Grenville and Thrang. There was something about Amelia that stirred a shadow of feelings once brutally destroyed in her. She ran a finger over her beautiful face. If only she had gotten to Miss Honey first—or Mrs. Debrek, as she now was. Amelia Dred sounded much better.

“May I, Principe?” Drasas took the phone back and zoomed the picture in to Amelia’s hand. “Look closely at her hand.”

Victorija couldn’t believe what she was seeing. “The Grand Duchess’s ring? Why does she have it?”

“We have no idea, Principe,” Drasas said.

Victorija ran her hands through her unruly hair. “That ring has not left her finger since she married my grandfather.”

It had been over two centuries since she had spoken to the Grand Duchess, her own grandmother. She was yet another family member who had found her wanting and rejected her.

Victorija redirected the lift to take her to Lillian’s rooms. The lift opened and she pushed open the door without knocking and found Lillian writhing on top of one of her vampires while the vampire fed from her wrist.

“I can see you’re hard at work trying to work out the Debrek spell.”

“You could knock, Victorija.” She slid off to the side, and the nervous vampire under her fixed his clothes and hurried past Victorija and Drasas, saying, “Excuse me, Principe, Duca.”

“You could find out the Debrek spell or I could rip your head from your spine.”

“I’m trying to uncover the item twenty-four hours a day, but I need a little recreation.”

“Look at these pictures.” Victorija handed Lillian the phone. “Look at her hand—she’s wearing the Grand Duchess’s ring.”

Lillian looked at the pictures and then back to Victorija. “She gave it up?”

Victorija nodded her head. “That ring is her protection. It’s what kept my father from killing her to get the spell. Why just give it up to Byron simply as a wedding ring?”

“Lucia is the most powerful witch I’ve ever known,” Lillian said. “She wouldn’t have done it lightly. Maybe she is protected in some other way.”

“Drasas,” Victorija said, “send two of your best people to Venice, find out what’s going on, and take her prisoner if they can. Meanwhile, Mademoiselle Witch, get back to your spells and incantations, before I start to think you are useless to me.”