My head was still pounding a

This was almost medieval but with beautiful, luxurious fabrics. The walls were panelled in dark wood, and the

nlight even though it was just a simple high-necked nig

r a normal home. This was

is? Was this a new world or

understand why I was here and why m

dden in the dark wood paneling. I took a deep breath and pushed it expecting a hallway but instead, I found a small, richly

here I found

earing a crest which looked like a bat's wing over a thorny rose. Und

y of the Nocturne Territories and the Valerius D

mering. Vampires? Dynasty? My mind immediately began

e Territories, ruled for centuries by immortal monarchs. The Valerius family were the current rulers, the Lords of the largest territory, the Nocturne. Hum

tal value was tied to their blood quality. Certain families, those with "cleaner, purer" lineages, we

. Vampires were real. I

obably was a fictional sto

nged to this world. Before I could process the true horror of

ooked like humans but better. They were carefully dressed and had gre

guess. Surprisingly, I knew their names. Hmmm. I m

relief, only irritation. He was a tall man, smartly dr

void her but she grabbed my arm, her fingers digging in painfully. "Are you mad? You've been unconscious fo

in the body of another daughter who was conside

my voice sounding shaky. I remembe

into the room. "You were supposed

m Irina. "What are you ta

ad. "The Hale Manor, you foolish child! Stop this

e Ba

n event. Your sister, Rue, is supposed to be presented, along with Alice. But Rue is

le daughters! You are unknown, unpresented, and-" He looked me up and down with crushing disdain. "-utterly un

ey kept locked away, only to be dragged out as a contingency pla

not just say

ghter. Failure to comply means a loss of title, territory, and potentially, the Lord's displeasure. And you know what

emain silent. And you will pass as a distant relative in Rue's place. Do you understand? D

with a shove, le

nwanted. Lena was being forced into a situation where she was unwanted

ered, the words tasting

will attend t