“It’s not your fault. You can’t be everywhere.” Katie hesitated. “But Josie is still out there.”

“I don’t want you to worry about her. I will keep you safe.” Alexis was getting lost in Katie’s eyes and her touch.

“You know,” Katie said, “when I was unconscious last night, I dreamed about you.”

Alexis’s heart thudded even harder, and she tried hard not to show how much Katie’s touch was affecting her. But goosebumps had broken out up and down her arm. “Oh?”

“I was looking for you, shouting your name, but I couldn’t find you.”

That was a bit too close to the dream she’d had. She had been screaming Katie’s name, desperately trying to find her. She pulled her hand away and stood up quickly.

“I’d better get back to my duties.”

Katie’s face fell. “I wouldn’t want to keep you from your work.”

Alexis knew she was being gruff and dismissive, but it was her way of coping with this emotional situation. She turned and walked to the door urging herself to not look back, but she couldn’t stop herself. Alexis had so much to make up for. She would have to beg for Katie’s forgiveness once Katie found out what she’d done.

Alexis turned back around and said, “I do have to go now, but may I visit you this evening?”

Katie’s smile was back and it made Alexis feel good.

* * *

Victorija had to get out of her room. The walls felt like they were closing in on her, so she walked downstairs and out of the castle to the stable block. Her horses reminded her of a happier time when she was young.

She patted the horse named Angel on the snout, and it whinnied. Her horses were the only creatures that weren’t afraid of her.

Victorija had only just finished drinking blood, and the gnawing hunger was back again. She hated feeling like this, constantly hungry and her body jittery like she was some kind of drug addict.

But there was fear too, for there was nothing Victorija hated more than being out of control, and this hunger was out of control. An image of Victorija ripping the heart out of Lucia, her grandmother, came to the forefront of her mind.

The movie in her head of the event was torturing her and had taken its toll on her. The childhood feelings of happiness, sadness, and love were debilitating. She had banished love from her heart centuries ago, but now she could remember how they felt.

Victorija looked down at her hands and saw they were shaking. She pressed her head against the stable door and pleaded with herself, “You have to conquer this.”

“Principe?” She heard Drasas’s voice behind her.

Victorija turned around and saw Drasas with a woman she didn’t know. An attractive, intriguing looking woman.

“Who is this?” Victorija asked.

“This is Madam Anka, the woman I said may be able to help you feel better.”

Anka held out her hand. “Principe, it’s an honour to meet you.”