Byron took her hand, and she felt more grounded. She led her over to Hilda and said, “This is Amelia, my wife and new Principessa. Amelia, this is Hilda, clan leader of the BaoBhan Sith.”

Hilda held out her hand in welcome, and Amelia took it with trepidation. “Pleased to meet you.”

Hilda gave a little jolt when they touched, but not to the same extent as the woman with Victorija had. Amelia watched her search her face, and then Hilda said, “Yes, I can see why she is the one, Byron. You are most welcome, Principessa. Welcome to the Scottish Debrek residence.”

“You people do have a lot of houses,” Amelia joked.

Byron smiled and said with a wink, “We are vampire royalty after all.”

Hilda’s gaze went behind Amelia’s shoulder. Amelia turned around, and followed Hilda’s gaze to Alexis, who was leading Bhal and Katie from the second car.

“Alexis, are you well?” Hilda said with a tone that suggested a lot of history.

“Quite well, Madam Hilda,” Alexis replied in a monotone.

“Ever the talkative soldier, I see.” The she turned her gaze to Bhal. “Bhal?”

She came striding forward with a broad smile on her face, and gave Hilda a bow. “Hilda, so good to see you again.”

Hilda embraced Bhal warmly. “You too, you old warrior.”

It was still so strange when anyone invoked the age of Bhal, or any of the vampires, when they looked twenty-one at worst.

“And who is the beautiful girl lingering at the back?” Hilda asked.

“Katie, the new Debrek head of household,” Katie said, with an edge to her voice that Amelia didn’t expect.

Hilda never showed annoyance, if she felt it. “You are all most welcome. I and my sisters are at your service. Please follow me. My sisters will set up a protective circle around the castle. No one will get through.”

Byron took Amelia’s hand, and asked, “Are Sera and our special package here in one piece?”

“Yes, perfectly safe, and resting upstairs. I’ll let you settle in, and take you to them.”

* * *

They were taken to a bedroom which in decoration was not dissimilar to the London house, except for the ancient stonework in amongst the aged oak. The castle interior was like many Amelia’s mum and dad had dragged her around as a child. Large tapestries hanging on the walls, swords, shields, and armour all over the place. Medieval swords that she noticed very much resembled Bhal’s sword, only in better shape. Bhal couldn’t be that old, could she?

Katie was helping her unpack while Byron was sitting on the bed fighting with her tablet and internet signal, or lack thereof.

“Bloody thing!” Byron threw her tablet across the bed.

Amelia shivered at the ripple of intense feeling she felt in her blood. It was not unpleasant—in fact it was exciting.