Amelia nodded and grasped Byron’s hand on her shoulder. Byron had gone so wild that she had nearly drained and killed Katie’s ancestors. Luckily Bhal got there in time and saved the family. That guilt always lay heavily on Byron, and since then the Debreks pledged to take care of Katie’s family. “I know, sweetheart.”

“If the care of the transitioning vampire isn’t done within a clan, then the vampire will simply want to drain whoever provides first blood to them. It’s like an addiction, that first shot of heroin, that first bottle of whisky—the new vampire’s hunger for that human is insatiable.”

Amelia sighed. “Katie.”

“Exactly, but in this case things might be even more difficult. Alexis tells me that they found drug paraphernalia in this young woman’s pockets. If she already has a problem with addiction, then her need for Katie’s blood will be all the worse.”

Amelia turned around on her stool to face Byron and said, “You’re not going to let Katie near her, are you?”

“Of course not, mia cara.” Byron took her hand and helped her up. “That would only encourage her addiction—besides, Alexis would kill her. Josie is being provided with rich vampire blood.”

“You mean Alexis is actually showing how much she loves Katie?” Amelia smiled.

“You may have been right about Alexis and Katie, but all I know for certain is that Alexis doesn’t want her anywhere near Josie. I’ve never seen her so animated about something in over a century.”

“I knew it. I can always tell when there’s romance brewing.”

Byron slipped her hands around her waist and said, “Maybe it’s the witch in you?”

Amelia remembered they were going to The Portal bookshop today to make contact with a witch who might help her. “Do you want to postpone today?”

“No, it’s important. This is the first good lead we’ve had and the first witch willing to talk to us. I need to go down and speak to this new vampire, but then we can go whenever you’re ready.”

“I promised Alexis I’d talk to Katie too. What she did last night was far too risky.”

There was a knock at the door. “It’s Katie, may I come in? I have tea.”

“Yes, come in,” Amelia called out, then whispered to Byron, “I’ll talk to her, okay?”

“Thank you, Principessa.”

* * *

Alexis felt like her skin was crawling as she paced outside the basement room where they were keeping Josie. Byron had promised to meet her here and talk to their new vampire.

Josie had been nothing but trouble all night as she struggled with her need for blood. The blood bags and vampire donors were not being received well.

The secure room was next to the blood room, and Alexis had relayed a message to Katie to not come down to the basement under any circumstances. Alexis also had the room and the basement under guard.

If it was up to her, they would have turfed this woman out onto the streets. She was too much of a risk under the same roof as Katie, but she knew Byron would always do the honourable thing, just as she had done for Alexis after she was turned.