Ulrika took another step. ‘Lord, the vampires I encountered in your service were without exception backstabbing plotters who sought nothing but their own advancement. The – the humans, however–’ She choked as she remembered Stahleker handing her his braid. ‘The humans were brave and true to their word, and – and I wish to all the gods I have lost that I was still one of them.’

*Everyone gets knocked down, Emperor disarmed and concussed*

‘Hate me if you will,’ said von Messinghof to Ulrika as she recovered, ‘but I am your salvation. This is your salvation. Kill me and your “honourable” humans will cut you down. You will die the true death. Your eternity of torment will begin.’ Ulrika hesitated as the Karl Franz struggled to stand and Von Messinghof put his blade to the Emperor’s throat. Her mind flashed back to the silver-manacled rack in the cellar of the Iron Tower, to the flames that had consumed Famke, to the hundred other horrible things men had done to her and hers. Mankind was cruel, there was no doubt about that, but the count was crueller. Whatever they might do to her if they caught her was nothing to what he had already done. ‘I am ready,’ she said, and stabbed for von Messinghof’s spine with her sword.