Page 83 of Enchant the Dawn

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Later that night, after Ava and Maddy had gone to bed, Dominic left the house. Standing on the front porch, he said, “Show yourself, vampire. I know you’re out there.”

She materialized out of the shadows. As usual, she wore a long dress that outlined every luscious curve. This one was the color of plums, formfitting as always, with a deep V-neck. “I knew you’d come out.”

“Did you?”

She glided toward the porch, hips swaying provocatively.

“What do you want?”

“You know very well what I want.” She stared up at him, dark eyes glittering in the light of the moon.

“Why did you bring the wizard here?”

“I was hoping the witch would dissolve the spell that binds him.”

Dominic snorted. “Why the devil would she do that?”

She brushed the question aside with a wave of her hand. “We can help each other, you and I.”

“Yeah? How so?”

“The Elder Knight wants your head. All I want is a little of your blood now and then.”

“Now and then?” he asked skeptically. “Is that why you locked me in a cage?”

“That wouldn’t be necessary if you’d just give it to me willingly.”

“What’s in it for me if I agree?”

“Jasper and I will help you defeat the Elder Knight.”

“What makes you think I can’t do it on my own?”

“What makes you think you can?” she retorted.

Dominic grinned. In spite of his instincts and his good sense, he found himself liking the vampire queen. And maybe she had a point. Vampires gained strength as they aged. And while he had inherited much of his power from his father, he was still a young vampire. He wasn’t sure how old Claret was, but he guessed she was well over a hundred, maybe closer to two. With vampires and witches, there was really no way to tell.

She tilted her head to the side, her eyes narrowed as she waited for his decision.

“Do you know why he wants me dead? I mean, other than the fact that that’s what the Knights do? His targeting me seems more personal than that, even though I’ve never met him.”

“Sadly, no. Do we have a deal?”

“Let me think about it.”

“Any chance you’d give me a taste before I leave?”

He considered it for a moment. He knew what it was like to crave something, how it could become an obsession. Allowing her a small drink cost him nothing. “Just one.” Cloaking himself in power, he descended the stairs and held out his arm. “More than one sip,” he warned, “and I’ll break your neck.”

She smiled up at him, her fangs ghostly white in the darkness. Grasping his arm in both hands, she bit into his wrist, took one long swallow, and released him. “I’ll be waiting for your answer,” she purred, and vanished from his sight.

When Dominic turned back toward the porch, Ava was standing on the bottom step, waiting for him.

“What the hell are you doing?” she exclaimed. “Have you lost your mind?”

“She just wanted to talk.”

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