Page 100 of Dark Shadow of Guilt

Dom poured the blood into a glass. “Warm or cold?” he asked.

“Um, warm.”

He heated it in the microwave, setting it in front of Maddy.

She eyed him over the glass. “It doesn’t smell good.”

“Chug it.”

Maddy downed the contents in one swift gulp, resting the glass on the counter when it was empty.

They waited.

Before Dom could ask “How is it?” she jumped up and ran for the bathroom. He raced after her.

As she upchucked into the toilet, he wet a cloth for her mouth. “That’s not good.” He crouched beside her and brushed a hank of hair from her eyes after she flopped onto the tile floor.

Madeline tucked her legs under her. “What if I want blood but can’t drink it?”

“Maybe you just didn’t like this brand.”

Her gaze fixed on Dom’s neck. “That’s probably the reason, or you’re the only brand that appeals to my tastebuds.”

****

Later that day, a sleep-deprived Madeline heard a commotion outside. She rushed down the marble steps to the lawn. In the yard, Oskar shot streams of fire from his mouth while Freki prowled around him, snarling and dodging flames.

On the sidelines, Ohngel watched, his muscular arms crossed over his chest, a scowl on his face.

Indigo, spotting Madeline, shouted, “Aren’t they cute? Best buds.”

Madeline frowned. “How can you tell?”

“They’re playing. If Oskar wanted to, he’d fry the wolver’s ass in a sec. So, just goofing off.”

“Hmm.” Maddy, uncertain of Indigo’s assessment, looped a hand through the crook of the witch’s elbow, leading her up the steps and inside Dom’s home. “You have to see our new additions.”

Dom had kept Maddy occupied all day by decorating the salon.

Indigo jumped up and down. “Two couches. Fan-damn-tastic.” She flopped onto one, fluffing the back pillow for comfort. “Lovely.” She yanked Ohngel down beside her.

Dom strolled into the salon and leaned against the wall. “Glad you approve.”

Bouncing up and down, Indigo tested the sofa’s stuffing. “It’s a good thing Maddy cares about her guests.”

Madeline caught the “her guests” comment. It sounded as if Dom and her were a couple who shared the house.Hmm. She supposed they were.

“Do you like this color?” asked Maddy, settling into the opposing sofa with Dom. Both pieces of furniture were a soft green linen. A deep-pile rug of earth tones covered the floor between them, everything cozy in front of the fireplace.

Indigo smoothed a hand over a cushion. “What are my choices?”

Madeline pointed at Dom. “Do your thing.”

With a slight wave of his hand, he clad the sofas in rust-colored velvet.

Indigo shook her head. “Keep the green.”

Madeline signaled Dom to change the color back. He did.

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