Alexis looked to the SUV parked behind them and had to fight the urge to go check on Katie, but she couldn’t. She knew that Katie would most probably be angry at her lack of visits over the last week.

The truth was that she couldn’t face Katie’s parents, knowing that she nearly forcibly turned their daughter. It was unforgivable, and Alexis almost wished the Principessa or someone would tell Katie what happened. Then she’d only have to avoid her, not face her.

As it was, everyone was leaving it to her, but she didn’t have the courage.

Byron emerged from the pub carrying keys.

“Any problems?”

“None,” Byron said.

She passed a set of keys to Alexis. “These are yours.”

Alexis took them and nodded.

When Byron had told her the plan to only take Amelia, Katie, and herself into the forest and leave the guards at the coaching inn and hotel in the village, she had been dead against it for security reasons, but the more she thought about it, the more she realized that it would give her the chance to look after Katie and try to make up for her mistakes.

“Thanks, I’ll take good care of her.”

Byron smiled and slapped her on the shoulder. “I know that. Let’s get going.”

Behind Byron she saw a middle-aged woman standing outside the witch and witchcraft shop.

“We have company,” Alexis said.

Byron turned to look. “So we do.”

“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.”