“Organize a rota of vampires to feed the Principe,” Drasas said.

“Yes, Duca. There’s something else, an emissary has arrived and would like to talk to you,” Leo said.

“An emissary from who?”

“A powerful ally, they said.”

“And they wanted to see me and not the Principe?” Drasas asked.

“Yes, shall I fetch them?”

“Yes, bring them here.”

Drasas paced around the courtyard. Why would someone want to see her and not Victorija?

A few minutes later Leo led a slightly built blond-haired young man into the stable block. Despite his youth and apparent lack of physical strength, he didn’t look away in fear. He had the air of someone who was extremely confident in themselves and their safety.

“Are you Drasas, Duca of the Dred clan?” the young man said.

“Yes, and you are?”

“Asha.” He bowed his head.

Drasas waved Leo away. “Well, Asha, there’s not many who would walk into a vampire lair willingly.”

“I have been sent as emissary from my mistress, Madam Anka. Have you heard of her?” Asha asked.

“Should I have?”

Asha chuckled. “Yes, you probably should.”

Drasas didn’t like his tone. She took a step towards him and bared her teeth. “Watch what you say.”

Asha didn’t flinch as she expected he would. “I mean no disrespect, Duca, but my mistress is probably worth researching. Anyway, she has asked me to convey this message.”

Asha handed her a letter with an old-fashioned wax seal on it. She ripped it open and started to read while Asha said, “Madam Anka is a powerful, influential woman in the witch community. She would like to meet with you and discuss potential cooperation between the witches and the Dred vampires.”

Drasas looked up from the letter. “Witches helping vampires? Are you joking?”

“No, Madam Anka never jokes,” Asha said.

This was insane. “You are aware that my Principe just killed the high priestess of the Paris coven? The covens in France are baying for our heads, apparently.”

“Yes, my mistress was most pleased to get Lillian out of the way. It only helps her cause. As for the other covens, there are different kinds of covens, Duca, some light and some darker.”

“Why me? Why not talk to my Principe?” Drasas asked.

“We understand your Principe is having some…difficulties at the moment, and my mistress can help with that. Think about it. The contact details are in the letter.”

Asha bowed and walked away. Drasas looked both ways to see who’d seen her talking to Asha, but everyone was busy with their own work. She should take this to Victorija, but then again, she wasn’t herself.

Drasas stuffed the letter in her pocket and felt a small knot of fear in her stomach. Was this treacherous? No, Drasas decided. She was the only one capable of dealing with this new information. She would tell the Principe what she needed to know when she found out.

Chapter Three

Alexis shut her bedroom door and walked along the corridor in the direction of the staircase. She was heading to the mess hall in the basement to talk with one of her vampires.