Byron heard a commotion at the back of the club. She rushed over and found Wilder cradling Amelia. Bhal and Alexis followed Byron, and Sera and Katie soon joined the group surrounding Amelia.

“What happened?” Byron demanded as she fell to her knees, and took Amelia from her.

“I don’t know exactly. The ladies were in the bathroom, but they were taking too long and I just went for the back door on a hunch. Victorija and Drasas were there with Amelia and another woman I didn’t know.”

“They were trying to take her from me?” Byron said angrily.

Wilder nodded.

Byron looked to Bhal and Alexis. “You two, check the back door—Victorija is there. Wilder, Sera, Katie, follow me out.” Byron lifted Amelia in her arms and started to walk out of the club.

Amelia started to come to. “Byron, Victorija is—”

“I know. You’re safe now.” Byron kissed her brow.

When they got outside, Byron’s driver opened the Daimler’s doors for them. Byron set Amelia down and they all climbed into the car.

“What happened?” Byron said to Sera and Katie.

Sera answered, “I have no idea. We were in the bathroom, and when I got out of my stall, she wasn’t there.”

Katie added, “We never even heard the bathroom door open and close.”

Byron turned to Amelia, who was silently gazing at her hands for some reason. “Amelia, do you remember what happened?”

“I…I was putting on my lipstick, then my mobile rang. It was Victorija. I don’t know why I answered, but I did. She told me to walk to the back door of the club.”

Amelia leaned into her for support, and Byron put an arm around her, cradling her against her chest.

“What happened then?” Byron asked.

“I don’t know why, but I did what she asked. I used all of my strength but I just couldn’t fight it. I went to the back door, and Victorija took hold of me.”

Byron tensed with anger. The thought of the bloodthirsty Victorija touching her wife was horrifying. At least the ring had been some protection. She turned to Sera and said, “Compulsion. She must have implanted those instructions in Amelia’s mind the last time they were together.”

Sera nodded. “Sounds like Victorija. Then she had an ace up her sleeve when she needed it. I wonder why she couldn’t get Amelia into the car.”

Byron stroked Amelia’s hair. “What happened next?”

“There was another woman there. I heard Victorija saying something about a spell of protection. Anyway, she touched me and jumped back like she had been burned or something, and then I could finally control what I was doing and—”

Amelia went quiet as if something was going over and over in her mind. “What?” Byron asked. “What happened next, Amelia?”

Amelia sat up, and rubbed her forehead. “Nothing. Wilder got there and got me away.”