Page 12 of Midnight Enchantment

He took her hand as they left the tavern. “I will walk you to your car,” he said. “It is not safe for a young girl to be out alone this late.”

“But who’s going to protect me from you?”

Raedan laughed softly. “No one could. Will you go out with me again?” he asked when they reached the parking lot.

“Ava will know I was out with you tonight. She’ll probably lock me in my room and throw away the key. Or send me back home to Savaria.”

His gaze searched hers. “Tell her I will surely follow you if she sends you away.”

Lily stared up at him. His words should have frightened her. Why didn’t they?

“Would you object if I kissed you good night?”

“No,” she whispered, suddenly breathless. “I’ve been hoping you would.”

She sighed as his arms went around her, strong but gentle. Murmuring her name, he lowered his head to hers. His lips were cool and firm and the first touch kindled a fire deep inside of her. She leaned into him, her hands clutching his shirt front as his tongue found hers. The world fell away and there was only Raedan, his mouth hot on hers, his arms holding her tight, as if he would never let go.

He lifted his head a moment, murmured, “I knew you would be sweet,” and kissed her again.

“Liliana!” Ava’s voice, filled with barely suppressed rage, broke the stillness of the night. “Let her go, vampire!”

Raedan looked up, but didn’t release Lily.

“I said let her go,” Ava repeated, her voice several degrees below freezing as she stalked toward them.

Raedan glanced at Lily.

“Please,” she said, “don’t make things worse.”

Reluctantly, he released her. “Good night, Liliana,” he said quietly, and vanished from sight.

“What the hell are you doing?” Ava demanded. “Didn’t I tell you to stay away from that man? Do you have any idea what he is?”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s a demon!”

Lily stared at Ava. “A demon?”

“Yes.”

“No,” Lily said adamantly. “I don’t believe it. I won’t believe it.”

“I called your grandfather before I came here. As far as anyone knows, there’s only been one vampire-demon in all of recorded history. The man is a notorious monster, feared by other demons, witches, and vampires alike. Now that I think about it,” Ava said, frowning, “I remember my great-great-grandmother telling me about such a being when I was a child. He was supposed to have been destroyed by a priest over two centuries ago.”

“Then it can’t be him, can it?”

Ava shrugged. “Better to err on the side of caution, child.”

“Even if it’s true, even if itishim, how can he be a vampireanda demon? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“Me, either,” Ava admitted. “And I’ve been around a long time. But that doesn’t mean it’s not true. After all, anything is possible. Your very existence is proof of that, child. Come on, let’s go home.”

“How did you find me?” Lily asked as she unlocked her car.

“Whatever walls you erected in your mind to block me came tumbling down. I’m guessing that happened when he kissed you.”

Lily blushed furiously as she slid behind the wheel. A vampire-demon, she thought as she started the engine. How on earth was that even possible? She glanced to the left as she pulled out of the parking lot.

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