Page 45 of Midnight Enchantment

Going to the bookshelf, she searched for an ancient grimoire she had recently found at a yard sale, of all places.

Settling into the padded rocking chair in the corner, she opened the book, felt a rush of magical energy waft from the pages as she turned them one by one.

Time lost all meaning as she perused the ancient spells, some that she was familiar with, others that she had never heard of.

She paused when she came to a section labeledAncient Demons: Fact and Fiction.Taking a deep breath, she turned the page, praying for enlightenment.

Chapter Twenty

After leaving Liliana, Raedan strolled through the night, his hands shoved into his pockets, his thoughts, as always, on the woman. Her scent clung to his clothing, teased his nostrils, stirred his hunger.

She had enjoyed his bite. And then, to his utter astonishment, she had asked if he would bite her again. He shook his head, unable to believe she meant it. And yet, he would have known if she had been lying.

Curious, he willed himself out of the compound and into a distant city. He stepped into the first nightclub he saw. It was just what he was looking for, a dimly lit tavern with only a few patrons.

Taking a place at the bar, he ordered a glass of wine, then perused the crowd until he found a middle-aged woman sitting alone. She had been crying earlier, her eyes still a little puffy. Curious to know the cause of her tears, he read her mind. Her husband had walked out on her the night before, leaving her with two teenage daughters and no means of support.

Opening his preternatural senses, he called her to him. She hesitated a moment before coming to perch on the stool beside him. She was a pretty woman, with wavy brown hair and blue eyes.

His mind brushed hers again, searching for her name. “Relax, Reka,” he murmured as he put his arm around her shoulders and drew her closer. You have nothing to fear.”

She leaned against him, her eyelids fluttering down as his hand stroked up and down her arm. Trapping her in his thrall, he put his arm around her shoulders and bit her gently. Her blood was warm and filling, but nowhere as sweet or satisfying as Liliana’s.

After sealing the twin punctures in her throat, he lowered his arm, his gaze searching hers.

She blinked at him, then lifted a hand to her neck.

“Did I hurt you?” he asked.

“No,” she said in a dreamy voice. “I don’t know what you did, but can you do it again?”

With a shake of his head, he reached into his pocket and withdrew a wad of cash. Slipping it into her coat pocket, he freed her from his thrall and sent her on her way.

All these years, he thought, and he had never known.

Whistling softly, he left the club. For centuries he had felt guilty for stealing the blood of his victims. And all the time he had unknowingly been giving them pleasure in return.

Throwing back his head, he looked up at the sky and laughed.

Chapter Twenty-One

Liliana woke with a smile. For a moment, she lay there, reflecting on the night before. She had let Raedan bite her. Why wasn’t she appalled? Repulsed? Horrified?

Why was she so anxious for him to do it again?

She laughed softly. She knew why. She had never felt anything like it. She had expected pain and instead had received the most pleasurable experience of her life. How was that possible? Would he bite her tonight if she asked?

Throwing back the covers, Lily went to the dresser and peered in the mirror, searching for bite marks, but there were none. She stared at her reflection. If being bitten was so exhilarating, what would it be like to bite him in return? Would it be wonderful? Or disgusting?

Would it really put her life in danger? What if her mother was right and tasting Raedan’s blood could infect her with the blood demon?

That thought alone was enough to change her mind.

Callie noticed the subtle change in her daughter the minute Lily stepped into the kitchen. She looked the same, but there was something different about her although she couldn’t put her finger on it.

“Breakfast smells wonderful!” Lily exclaimed as she took her usual place at the table. “I’m famished.” She frowned when she saw her parents exchange worried glances. “What is it? Is something wrong?”

“We’re worried about you,” Quill said flatly.

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