The sound of Lily’s voice drove the demon away. Relieved, Raedan opened his eyes to find her watching him, her brow furrowed, his expression worried.
“Are you all right?” she asked, her gaze searching his.
He took a deep breath and blew it out in a sigh of relief. “I am now.”
One last drink, one more dance, and he drove her back to her hotel. He held her hand in the elevator and as he walked her to her suite.
“I had a wonderful time,” Lily said as she unlocked the door.
“As did I. Perhaps we could do it again tomorrow night?”
“I’d like that,” she said with an impish grin. “After all, I don’t know anyone else in town.”
“I would be happy to make sure you never get lonely,” he said, drawing her into his arms.
Lily closed her eyes, happiness bubbling up inside her as his mouth closed over hers. She was breathless when he lifted his head.
“Sweet dreams, Liliana,” he murmured.
“You, too,” she said, and then frowned. “Do you dream when you’re at rest?”
His dark gaze caressed her face. “I will tonight.” He kissed her one more time. “Until tomorrow, pretty lady.”
With a nod, she closed the door, then stood there, unable to stop smiling.
She was falling in love, she thought. Feeling like she was walking on air, she went into the bedroom to get ready for bed. She had just changed into her nightgown when her cell phone rang.
“I wanted to hear your voice one more time before I retire,” Raedan said when she answered the phone, though it would be hours before he sought his rest. “Good night, sweet Liliana.”
“Good night.” She ended the call and hugged the phone to her chest, her heart so full of happiness she thought she might burst. “Definitely love,” she murmured, and turned out the light.
Chapter Eight
Dominic paced the living room floor in Ava’s house. “What the hell are we going to do? Lily’s been gone for days and no one’s been able to get in touch with her. Not even me! For all we know he could have killed her by now!”
“Calm down, boy,” Ava chided. “Thinking the worst isn’t going to help. Even though she’s blocked you, I’m sure you’d feel it if something had happened to her.” Twins had a bond unlike any other.
“I hope you’re right.” He slumped into a chair. “My parents are ready to come back here. Mom’s going out of her mind with worry. Dad threatened to rip the guy to shreds if he ever gets his hands on him.”
“We’re all worried, but I have to believe she’s all right.” Ava shook her head ruefully. “I had no idea she was powerful enough to block the whole family. I certainly never taught her any such incantation. And she never learned it from my grimoire, or any of my spell books. I know, because I’ve searched every one of them.” She frowned thoughtfully for a moment, and then shook her head.
“What are you thinking?” Dominic asked.
“Raedan.”
“What about him?”
“He’s an extremely old and powerful vampire.”
“Yeah, so?”
“And he’s also a demon.”
Dominic stared at her, and then cursed softly. “You think he’s worked some kind of demon magic to mask her presence from the rest of us, don’t you?”
“I don’t know,” Ava replied, her voice grim. “But I intend to find out.”
Chapter Nine