Alexis was going to be truthful. She didn’t need any more secrets. “You.”

She didn’t wait to see Katie’s reaction and just walked inside the cabin.

* * *

Amelia and Byron had been walking in the forest for about twenty minutes, and Amelia was loving it. They hadn’t found anything yet, but it was such a luxury to be alone with Byron.

“What are you smiling about?” Byron asked.

“It’s just nice to have you all to myself, without an entourage around following us.”

Byron smiled. “Yes, quite right. It is beautiful here.”

“Where are you taking me first?” Amelia asked.

“The place I visited during the War. Where the witches cast their spell to try to repel Hitler. I presume that such strong magic would leave a trace of energy that maybe you could tune in to.”

Amelia sighed. “It sounds like a good plan. Only thing is that I haven’t a clue how to tune in.”

“Follow your instincts.” Byron pulled back some branches. “It should be right through here.”

Amelia walked into a small clearing and saw a circle marked out by small rocks and, in the centre, one worn-down rectangular stone. Amelia’s body—all of her nerve endings—began to buzz.

“I can feel something, Byron.”

“What?”

“An energy, electricity in the air,” Amelia said.

Byron slipped her arm around Amelia’s waist as they approached the perimeter of the circle.

“I’m right by your side,” Byron said.

Amelia gripped Byron’s hand tightly. “Will you come in with me?”

“I can’t. A vampire can’t step inside a witch’s casting circle, but I’ll be right here,” Byron said.

Amelia’s heart started to thud. So much had changed for her in such a short time—meeting Byron, learning she was a vampire and about all the paranormal world, discovering that her mother and father were not her real parents, and taking her place as the immortal matriarch of the Debrek clan. Not to mention the fact that she had witch blood in her. But through it all she had the strength of Byron right by her side. Did she have the courage to take this step alone?

She held out her hand, and it shook as she reached into the perimeter of the circle. Amelia looked back to Byron, who smiled and nodded.

“On you go.”

Amelia’s pushed her fingers that final few inches across the perimeter. She immediately felt a warmth that welcomed her in.

“Here goes.” Amelia took a few steps, and she was in the circle entirely.

The warmth she had felt on her fingertips now enveloped her whole body. She gasped and lifted her arms to see all her hairs standing up on end.

“How do you feel?” Byron shouted.

Amelia looked over to her and smiled. “Good. I feel warm, calm, but at the same time…”

“What?”