Page 25 of Enchant the Dawn

Finding her voice, Maddy said, “What kind of witch are you?”

“Do you mean am I more like Glinda the Good Witch or the Wicked Witch of the West?”

“Something like that. The only thing I know about witches is what I’ve read. For instance, all the books say there are white witches and black witches.” Maddy shrugged. “I guess that’s like Glinda and the Wicked Witch.”

“That pretty much sums it up,” Ava said. “Of course, there are shades of gray in between.”

“So, are witches born that way?”

“The powerful ones are. There are mortals who claim to be witches, and some have a small degree of magic. But I believe true witches are born. The gift is passed from woman to woman. In my family, it usually skipped a generation. The fact that my granddaughter and great-granddaughter both have it is some sort of anomaly, I guess.”

Interesting, Maddy thought. She had known there were men and women who claimed to be witches or warlocks, but she had never believed there was real magic, like what she had seen tonight. She wondered what else Ava could do. Did she cast spells on people? Make love potions? Heal broken hearts? Find lost objects? Was she like the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, capable of bringing inanimate objects to life? Did she have a broom? Did it sweep the floor for her?

Feeling suddenly overwhelmed, Maddy put her teacup aside and tugged on Dominic’s hand. “I think we’ve taken up enough of Ava’s time.”

He winked at her, then put his cup on the coffee table. “I guess we’ll be going.” Rising, he took Maddy’s hand and lifted her to her feet. “Thanks for the tea, Grams.”

Ava also stood. “You’re welcome. Maddy, dear, now that you know where we live, feel free to drop by anytime.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll see you later,” Dominic said, kissing Ava on the cheek. “Don’t wait up.”

She nodded, understanding in her eyes.

* * *

Maddy’s head was spinning when Dominic walked her to her door.

“Are you gonna be all right?” he asked.

“I guess so. It was just a bit of a surprise. After all, I’ve never met a real witch before.”

“Not many people have.” Some lived to regret it, he thought, which was why he was in New Orleans in the first place. “See you tomorrow?”

“Until then.”

“Until then.” Taking her in his arms, he kissed her tenderly, hoping he hadn’t made a mistake in telling her about Ava.

And wondering what her reaction would be if she ever learned the truth about him.

Chapter 11

After leaving Maddy’s house, Dominic drove his car home, parked it in the driveway. and then set out in search of prey. But instead of finding a meal, he found a body lying in the alley behind a small strip mall, fresh blood oozing around the stake in its heart.

He swore a vile oath as he knelt beside the body. He didn’t know the man, but it was one of his kind. And he had been destroyed by one of the Knights of the Dark Wood. The scent of the hunter was unmistakable. His mother had taught him how to identify the Brotherhood by the faint signature of dark magic that clung to the medallions they wore—medallions Ava had conjured for them centuries ago. He’d thought them all destroyed years ago.

Heaving the body onto his shoulder, Dominic transported himself home.

Ava was waiting at the door. “Is he . . . ?”

“Yes.”

“Take him into the back room. Let’s see if he’s carrying any ID.”

Ava spread a sheet on the quilt that covered the bed and Dominic laid the body on it. He stood back while Ava conjured the wallet from the dead man’s pocket and checked the contents. A Louisiana driver’s license identified him as Roger St. James, thirty-six years old. A business card in the same name listed a phone number.

“You need to notify the family,” she said quietly.

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