Victoria wrinkled her nose up at the smell coming from the crystal decanter that Lucaese was pouring from. Despite its rich, ruby color, she knew by the smell that it was not red wine. He poured the blood into two crystal glasses and offered her one as he sat across from her at the small table in her room. He frowned when she refused the glass.

“I do not thirst for blood, Lord Lucaese. I’ve told you this,” Victoria said, doing her best to not sound repulsed. The only thing keeping...