“You’re cunning, devious, and calculated – I’ll grant you that. But Diane, I’ve been up against people much more cunning and dangerous than you. People who put you more in the league of a rabid squirrel. Did you really think I wouldn’t be prepared for whatever you threw at us? You honestly believe that more of my legion won’t be swarming this place any minute now?”

“We’ll see how prepared you really are. I have something you’ll want.”

“I hope it’s the new Call of Duty game,” Sam said to Imani.

With a nod, Imani spoke in an excited whisper. “Fingers crossed.”

I heard Knox’s friend snort with laughter behind me.

“I’d leave you to try and guess what it is, but you never will.” Diane’s chin lifted as a superior smirk surfaced on her face. “I have your nest.”

Sam just blinked. “I don’t have a nest.”

Diane rolled her eyes. “Your old nest, then. I have them all.”

“So?”

That had Diane doing a double-take. “So if you want them to live, you’ll give me exactly what I want.”

“Oh, you think you can use them as leverage. It won’t work. But out of interest, what is it you intended to ask for?”

“It’s simple, really.” Diane shrugged. “I want your blood.”

Sam’s brows arched. “Say again?” Giles looked just as shocked. Apparently Diane hadn’t shared her plans with him until now.

“Just enough blood to Turn a few humans. Those newborn vampires can then Turn others for me, and so on and so on.”

“You hope to create a hybrid army for yourself?” asked Imani.

“Wars are not my thing. But if I was to open a brothel containing a multitude of hybrids…now that would earn me big money. Many would pay to drink from a hybrid.” The red tint to Diane’s irises glowed as her gaze locked on Sam. “And you owe me. I lost a lot of money and business because of you. I had to give up my homes because of you. I’ve been in hiding because of you.” Like she had been falsely accused of something and forced to go on the run.

Sam made a ‘hmmm’ sound. “You’re missing a few things.”

“Such as?”

“If my blood was used to Turn any humans, it would make me their Maker. That would mean you would have no way of concealing them from me. I would find them, find you.”

“Yes, but all I need is to take some of their blood – just like I intend to take some of yours. Any hybrids created from their blood would have no blood-link to you. You would be unable to find them. As soon as I have the blood of your ‘babies’, I can destroy them before you have a chance to locate them. We both know in that moment you will be in no state to track them down, not when the breaking of a blood-link is excruciating. To suffer the breaking of several blood-links at one time might even kill you.” That was probably true. Christ, what a bitch.

Sam pursed her lips. “It’s a good plan.”

“I think so.”

“There is a big problem with it, though.”

“And that is…?”

“Well, I have no intention of giving you my blood. Guess that fucks up everything.”

“You would let your old nest die?” Diane’s expression said ‘doubtful’.

“Yep. If you were thinking I had some kind of emotional tie to them, you clearly didn’t do your homework well enough.”

I almost jumped when Sebastian appeared beside me. “Shitting hell,” I hissed.

“My apologies. I simply wished to let you know the nest has been moved.”

I went to introduce him to Knox and his friend. “Fuck, where did they go?” I swiftly spun and returned my attention to the happenings going on inside the warehouse. There were no signs of the demons in there.

Diane clenched her fists. “How can you not care about the nest? You’re the Grand High Bitch –”

“Oh, I like that title.” Sam smiled at Imani.

“– which means every single vampire is your responsibility!”

“Yeah, I get that. And I really do care about the safety of every vampire in existence. But the thing is, the last time I risked my life to save others, Jared got really pissed about it and made me promise not to do it again.” She made a huffing ‘What an overreaction!’ sound. “And then there’s the fact that if I die, he dies, since we’re mated. So, yeah, there’s just no chance I’ll give you what you want. And I can’t regret that, considering what you would have done with any blood I gave you. No good whatsoever would come out of it.”

Eyes diamond hard, Diane announced, “Then the nest dies.” When Sam didn’t react, Diane gave a nod to the vampire on Giles’ far right, who I was guessing was the creator of the detonation ring.

After a few seconds, he gruffly told Diane, “It’s done.”

The image of self-satisfaction, Diane switched her focus back to Sam. “Now maybe I’ll move on to all these squad members of yours just lying around the building. Maybe that will make a difference to you.”

“No, it will just make your death more painful.”

Diane laughed. “I doubt that.”

“You really shouldn’t.” Knox stepped out of the shadows on Sam’s left. At the exact same moment, four demons emerged out of the shadows behind the four Pagoris at Giles’ back…and then suddenly those four Pagoris were ashes. I didn’t even see what the demons had done to them.

Giles pivoted, clearly terrified – his gaze darted from the demons to Diane to Knox and to Sam…Did he expect her to protect him? What a fucking idiot.

Sam shrugged at Giles. “I did warn you the demons would come for you at some point if you didn’t give her up.”

A terrified Diane made a move to run, but in a blink Knox was in front of her, shaking his head.

“Imani,” said Sam, “show Diane and Giles what happens when they don’t have a psychic shield.” With a wide grin, Imani did exactly that. Diane and Giles both dropped to their knees, crying out in pain.

“What is she doing to them?” one of the demons asked, appearing both curious and approving.

“Playing a tune on their blood-link,” answered Sam.

Another demon then came out of the shadows; it was one I recognised. “She’s the one we found in the attic,” I said to Salem, who nodded.