Page 53 of Midnight Enchantment

“I need to know,” Ava said. “And it’s in your best interest to tell me.”

“Oh? Why is that?”

“Have you heard of Raedan?”

“Of course. Who among us hasn’t?”

“He’s a friend of ours. And he’s in love with Lily.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“It’s true, nonetheless. It might be good for your health to be on our side. Especially if you ever hope for another taste of Hungarian blood.”

Claret’s eyes took on a faint red tinge as she stared at Lily. Muttering an oath, she said, “Last I heard, he was still searching for her. As were any number of mortal men he’s mesmerized to do his bidding.”

“Is he still here, in New Orleans?”

Claret shrugged. “If he is, I haven’t seen him lately.”

“You’ll let me know if you do.”

“Of course.”

With a nod in the vampire’s direction, Ava took Lily’s arm and they left the club.

“She’s watching us,” Lily whispered.

“I know, dear. Don’t look back. Just keep walking.”

Ava rose early the next morning. While walking last night, they had passed a small shop tucked between two larger ones, a magic shop Ava didn’t remember ever seeing before. Perhaps she had just never noticed, she mused. Or perhaps it was cloaked in magic during the day. Whatever the reason, she headed there now.

When she reached her destination, there was no sign of the shop, yet she detected a strong signature of dark magic. As she murmured an incantation of unveiling, the vague outline of a door gradually took shape. Taking a deep breath, she opened it and stepped inside.

The weight of black magic was oppressive. It settled on her like a heavy shroud. Glancing around, she saw shelves crammed with books, manuscripts, and ancient scrolls yellow with age.

“Who are you?”

Ava whirled around, her hand pressed to her heart. “You gave me quite a start.”

“I asked you a question.”

“Names have power,” Ava said. “I don’t share mine with strangers.” Especially ones with the kind of power radiating from this woman. Clad in a long, colorful gauze skirt and a white shirt, she could have been anywhere from fifty to a hundred. Her hair was long and white, her eyes a vivid green. Her feet were bare. The tattoo of a two-headed snake wound around her left ankle.

A faint smile played over the witch’s lips. “You also have power, else you would not have been able to enter my shop. What are you seeking?”

“I’m looking for a spell to cast out a blood-demon.”

The woman’s eyes widened. “They no longer exist.”

“I’m afraid they do.”

“You know one?” she asked, excitement coloring her voice.

“I knowofone.”

Turning away, the woman walked quickly toward a shelf on the back wall. A wave of her hand summoned a slim volume with a black leather cover. Power shimmered in the air as it came to her hand.

“I found this in a tomb in a cave in Egypt several decades ago. I have not been able to open it.”

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