Page 6 of Enchant the Dawn

She stared at him in astonishment. “Really?”

“Really.”

“No problem. Just let me grab my keys.”

He followed her out of the house, waited on the sidewalk while she backed a light blue Chevy Malibu out of the garage. “Nice car,” he said as he settled into the seat.

“It belongs to my parents. I left mine at home. Where did you want to go?”

He shrugged. “Why don’t you decide? I’ve only been in town a couple of days.”

“Do you like seafood?”

“Sure.”

She thought a moment, then turned left out of the driveway onto the road and headed for the Bourbon Street Restaurant.

Inside, the hostess led them to a booth.

“Nice place,” Dominic remarked. Large picture windows gave a clear view of the street.

Maddy nodded. “I come here as often as I can. I love their shrimp. And the lobster,” she added with a grin. “Although I can rarely afford that.”

“Order whatever you like,” Dominic said, smiling.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” he said with a wink. “I’m sure.”

When the waitress arrived, they ordered two lobster dinners and a bottle of the house wine.

“So,” Dominic said, “tell me about yourself.”

“There’s not much to tell. My parents are on a world-wide cruise. I’m staying in their house while they’re gone. I was recently laid off from my job due to some cutbacks. They said it was a layoff, but I don’t think they’ll hire me back. Last one hired, first one to go.”

“Where did you work?”

“I was a teller at a bank in Baton Rouge.”

“Have you heard anything from the police about the man who broke into your house?”

“Only that he’s being held without bail. Apparently, he has a long record, including burglary and assault. There’s also a warrant out for him for rape and a double murder.”

Dominic grunted softly, sorry now that he hadn’t killed the man and saved the courts a lot of time and trouble. He smiled at the waitress as she delivered their meal. Unlike Transylvanian vampires, his people could consume mortal food if they wished. Doing without for long periods of time increased the desire for blood.

“What about you?” Maddy asked.

“I’m here on vacation.” It wasn’t exactly a lie, nor was it the whole truth. “I’ve always wanted to see New Orleans.”

“It’s a lovely city, although it has a dark side.”

“I’ve heard about that. I’ve also heard a lot about witches and voodoo, zombies and vampires. And your famous St. Louis Cemetery Number 1.”

“You’ve got to see it while you’re here,” Maddy said. “It’s amazing. It’s called the City of the Dead because many of the tombs look like small houses or churches.” She grinned at him. “I read somewhere that it costs forty thousand dollars to be buried there.”

“Forty grand?” Dominic shook his head. “I find that hard to believe.”

“I also read that Nicolas Cage wants to be buried there. He bought a nine-foot pyramid. Marie Laveau, the famous voodoo priestess, is buried there. A lot of her followers are convinced she still works her magic for those who believe.” Maddy took a bite of her lobster.

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