“Give me your hands,” Lucia said to Byron and Amelia. They held out their clasped hands, and Lucia covered them with hers. “I might be the secret, but Amelia is the life force now. My burden has been handed on. I must face Victorija, and you must not interfere, no matter what you see. I have your promise?”

Byron did not think she could keep that promise, but they both nodded.

* * *

Victorija was becoming more and more frustrated. Her repeated threats were falling on deaf ears, and Lillian’s attempt to break the protection spell were fruitless.

Lillian put her hand to the invisible barrier one last time and was thrown back to the ground. “It’s impossible, Victorija. I can’t get through.”

Victorija lifted her up, and call out, “Give me the secret or I start my massacre with this useless witch. You know I will, Byron.”

Drasas, who was standing behind by the cars, said, “She’s not going to care about a witch who’s been helping us. Let me go and gather up some humans, Principe.”

Victorija dropped Lillian when the huge wooden doors to the castle started to open. “Put the witch in the car, Drasas. I knew Byron would see sense—” She stopped midsentence when she realized who was walking out. “Lucia is here? What does she have to do with it?”

Victorija tested the barrier and it was down. She stepped through, and started to walk to meet Lucia halfway. “Hold your position, Drasas. Lucia and I have things to talk about.”

Lucia, although old and out of breath, seemed calm and confident. “Victorija?”

Victorija inclined her head politely. “Grandmother. It’s been such a long time.”

“My door has always been open to you, if you came in peace,” Lucia said.

Victorija rolled her eyes. “Let’s skip the pleasantries. Give me the secret. I have a dynasty to build.”

“What did your father tell you of the Debrek secret?” Lucia asked.

“That you created the spell and it was tied to a magical object, and when we were banished the spell was removed from our line.”

“That is somewhat correct. I created the spell, but it was connected to my life force, a burden I have carried for a long, long time, but now rests with Amelia.”

Victorija laughed. “I should have guessed, and all this time my father was looking for a magical object. You were in front of our noses. Tell me the spell, now.”

“Why do you want it?” Lucia said.

Victorija felt all her resentment and fury racing to the surface. “Do I not deserve the same rights as Byron? Do I not have a natural right coming from the line of Debreks to have children? Put the spell back on me. It is my right—”