“Do you recognize her?”

Byron shook her head. “No, but it’s a long time since I’ve been here. They can detect a vampire at a hundred paces, can’t they?”

“Do you think that shop is run by real witches or witch enthusiasts?”

“That woman is a real witch—I can feel it. Okay, let’s go. We need to get Katie settled. It’s been a long journey for her.”

They travelled into the forest, and the trees became denser as they went. This was a perfect place for witches to have a coven. Deep cover on ancient ground, a perfect match for magic and mayhem. The Rolls-Royce went down a side track, not especially easy for a car such as that.

Finally two log cabins came into view, and the line of cars parked up. The rest of the guards would be staying at the hotel under Bhal’s command.

The car came to a halt and Alexis jumped out and opened Byron’s door. Byron stepped out and looked down at her expensive leather shoes, now covered in mud and God knew what else.

“Welcome to the country, Principe,” Alexis joked.

“Indeed,” Byron replied.

Amelia joined them and laughed. “It’s the perfect chance for you to try the new country clothes I got you.”

Byron rolled her eyes. “I can’t wait.”

Alexis looked over at Wilder helping Katie out of the car, and before she could say anything, Byron said, “Go, Duca. Look after her.”

“Thank you, Principe.”

She hurried over to the SUV. “I’ll take it from here, Wilder.”

“Yes, Duca.”

Alexis took Katie’s arm, and she shot Alexis a look. “You want to help me too now?”

All the other guards were looking at them, so she decided to wait until they got inside.

Alexis said to the guards, “You’re dismissed. Go and check in at the hotel and keep your heads down with the locals.”

“Yes, Duca,” they shouted, and the line of cars began to back up and leave.

“Why aren’t you going with them?” Katie asked her.

She was clearly annoyed about her disappearance over the last week. “Didn’t the Principessa tell you?”

“Tell me what?” Katie said.

Faced with Katie’s clear annoyance, she lost some of her usual confidence. “I’m staying here with you. To look after you.”

“You? You want to help look after me? You stop visiting me and don’t even check how I am, and now all of a sudden you want to help take care of me?”

Alexis felt so awkward and put on the spot. Luckily, Amelia came over to them and put her arm on Katie’s.

“I can explain—”

Alexis interrupted, “Let’s get you inside.”

“I’ll get the bags,” Byron said.

Alexis snapped her head around. The Principe should not be carrying luggage. “Just leave it, Principe, and I’ll come back out and get it.”

“Relax, Duca. I can carry a bag from time to time,” Byron said.

Amelia laughed. “Yes, we need to put her to work for a change. Come on, Katie.”