Katie chuckled softly. “That was a little strange, I suppose. As you know, the human staff get the best of everything, even more my family, because of our history with Byron. I was sent to the finest private school by Byron. The other children were sons and daughters of aristocracy, rich businesspeople, and celebrities, and there I was, my mum head housekeeper for the Debreks and my dad butler. There was gossip and lots of rumours about why I was really there.”

“What kind of rumours?” Alexis asked.

“That I was Byron’s father’s love child, that Byron was really a man, and I was her illegitimate daughter, but nothing was as wild as the truth.”

“I suppose not.” Alexis laughed.

Alexis was enjoying listening to Katie talk so much. She couldn’t believe she had kept herself distanced from Katie for so long. Katie was such a wonderful young woman, but that was why she kept herself away, because Katie terrified her.

“I wish we had talked like this sooner,” Alexis said.

“So do I. My teenage self wished that too,” Katie said softly.

“Why?” Alexis noticed a change in Katie physically. Her breathing became shallower, but her heart was increasing in speed. “What is it?”

Katie cleared her throat and looked away. “It’s a bit embarrassing.”

Alexis sat closer. “You don’t need to be embarrassed with me.”

Katie searched her eyes, then took a breath. “I had the biggest crush on you since I was about twelve. I spent all my time trying to get your attention, but to no avail.”

Alexis felt like she was punched in the chest. All these years they had been arguing and sniping at each other, and all that time there had been something between them.

“Then I left home and went to university.”

Did that mean she grew out of her crush, she had no feelings any more? But that night in Katie’s room. Alexis was sure Katie reciprocated her passion. Alexis knew what she should say—I feel the same way, I hope you still feel that for me, kiss me, let me make love to you, the first time I tasted you, I knew I wanted you—but instead, like an idiot, she went on to tell her why she couldn’t handle feelings of love and passion.

“I’ve been in love before.”

Katie’s eyes widened at that. “You have?”

“Yes, back in 1850. I fell in love with a witch from a London coven,” Alexis said.

Katie gulped. “What was her name?”

“Anna. Byron warned me against falling for or having a relationship with a mortal, but it was first love, I was too wrapped up in it, and too young a vampire to understand the consequences.”

“What happened?”

It was so hard to tell this story, even though the pain in her heart was being eased by her love for Katie.