DAISY'S POV

I walked down the long hallway toward the library, my footsteps echoing against the stone walls of my father's castle. The past few days had been overwhelming - discovering I was a hybrid, learning about my vampire heritage, and trying to understand my place in this dark world I never knew existed.

As I approached the library, Maria intercepted me with that familiar worried expression she'd been wearing lately.

"Miss Daisy," she said, wringing her hands nervously, "your father has moved to the sitting room. He's waiting for you there."

"The sitting room?" I asked, pausing mid-step. "Why the change?"

"He has... company," Maria said, her voice dropping...