“Cosimo, the love of my life, would give up his immortality, and live out a normal human life as sacrifice, and I would live on as the life force, the matriarch who would allow each new generation to procreate.”

Amelia grasped Byron’s hand. “What a heart-breaking choice.” She couldn’t imagine having to choose Byron’s life over a child.

“It was. There had to be a sacrifice, you see, to create life from death. What bigger sacrifice than for a vampire to give up immortality?” Lucia said. “I refused to contemplate it, but Cosimo wanted us to have children like any normal family, and agreed to their terms behind my back. I was so angry, I left him.”

Amelia looked at Byron and thought of the long six months they’d spent apart, how painful it had been. “I can understand how hard that was.” Byron squeezed her hand in reply.

“Finally, I just couldn’t live without him, and came back. Nine months later, Byron’s great-grandfather Antoine and great-uncle Gilbert were born. You see, Amelia, that is what this clan is all about, love. Love is what allows those Debreks who wish it to have children. When I lost my husband, I was distraught, but I knew I’d had a lifetime of love with him, and he would be waiting for me when my time came.”

Byron suddenly sat up. “What do you mean when your time came, Lucia? You are our life force. You are immortal.”

“There are secrets even you don’t know, Principe,” Lucia said. “I was promised that a time would come when my replacement would arrive. A witch chosen by birth to fulfil my destiny as the matriarch of our clan. That is why I gave you my ring, my dear. Without it I’m vulnerable and await death willingly.”

Byron saw Amelia’s hand start to shake, so she put her arm around her. “Lucia, Amelia is not a witch. This can’t be true.”

“She has witch blood in her, and she knows it. Don’t you, dear?”

Amelia nodded, and Byron cupped her cheek. “What does she mean?”

“Daisy and Victorija’s witch have all gotten some kind of shock when they touched me, and when Victorija tried to take me, a bolt of light came from my hands and knocked them out. I was scared to tell you. I’m sorry.”

Byron pulled her into her arms. “It’s all right. I understand.”

Sera stood up and started pacing. “Do you know Amelia’s past? Why doesn’t she know of her heritage?”

“I wasn’t shown that. You’ll have to do your own digging to find out, but I do know that the ring triggered the powers that have been hidden her whole life.”

Byron said with more calmness than she felt, “So Amelia is the new Debrek matriarch. What happens to you, Lucia?”