Page 50 of Enchant the Dawn

“We’ll talk about it later. Why don’t you take Maddy home so she can get some rest?”

“Yeah.” It was obvious that whatever Ava had to say, she didn’t want to share it with Maddy. “That’s probably a good idea.”

* * *

It was late when they reached Maddy’s house. Dominic settled her on the sofa, covered her with a blanket, and insisted she drink a glass of wine.

“I’m fine,” she said. “Really.”

“I know. Just humor me.”

She obediently drained the glass, frowned when he filled it again.

“You need to replace the blood you lost. The wine will help.”

“I was so worried about you,” she said. “You were in such pain, and I was so afraid Ava wouldn’t be able to help you.”

Sitting beside her, he slipped his arm around her shoulders. “I’ll be all right. It’s not easy, getting rid of one of my kind.”

“It looked like a close call to me.”

He grinned wryly. “I won’t argue with that. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes. Stop worrying about me.”

“I’ll never stop,” he said, cupping her cheek in his palm. “I owe you my life.”

“More likely it was Ava’s magic.”

“It wouldn’t have worked without your blood. I could feel it running through me, easing the pain, destroying the poison.”

“Really?”

“Really.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I need to go.”

“Where are you go . . . oh.”

“Yeah. That poison drained my strength. I need to . . . you know.”

“Feed.”

“I’ll stay if you want.”

“No. You should go and do what you have to. I’ll be okay.”

“I’ll come by later to make sure you’re all right. I’m curious about one thing, though. Did Ava tell you why she needed your blood in particular?”

Maddy nodded. “She said the spell required the blood of someone you love.”

Dominic kissed her tenderly. “Then she went to the right place,” he said, giving her hand a squeeze.

Maddy watched him go and then closed her eyes. She didn’t feel like herself. She felt different inside, as if . . . as if . . . A chill ran through her. As if that dark mist had settled in her very soul.

But that was impossible. Wasn’t it?

* * *

Dominic left Maddy’s place, his hands shoved into his pockets. He had felt something when he kissed Maddy, and it wasn’t the rush of pleasure he usually felt, but something dark and disturbing. He told himself he had imagined it, that it was just some leftover effect of the potion Ava had concocted. But it was more than that.

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