Page 52 of Midnight Enchantment

“Liliana? Are you ready?”

“Yes, Papa.” She hated leaving without knowing where Raedan was, then shook her head. If he had decided to leave her, there was nothing she could do about it. If he wanted to know her whereabouts, he could find her easily enough. Forcing a smile, she opened the door. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Lily sat in her bedroom at Ava’s house. It was a little after ten. Her father had brought her to New Orleans and he and Ava had spent over an hour locked in Ava’s room before he returned to Savaria. Try as she might, Lily had not been able to eavesdrop on their conversation.

Staring out the window. Lily wondered what they had talked about for so long, but mainly she wondered about Raedan. Surely he knew she was no longer in Savaria. With the blood-demon’s powers, he would know when she had left and where she was now. Why hadn’t he contacted her? Why wasn’t he answering his phone? Had his fears for her safety driven him away for good this time? Would he send her a letter saying it was the best thing for her? Funny, how many people thought they knew what was best for her when no one bothered to ask.

Yes, she had her own doubts and fears, but her love for him was stronger than all her misgivings.

“Lily, are you awake?”

“Yes. Come in.”

Ava glanced around as she stepped into the room, relieved that there was no sign of the vampire-demon. “I’ve put the final touches on the medallion,” she said, and withdrew it from the pocket of her apron. “Why don’t you try it on?”

“It’s lovely,” Lily exclaimed as she reached for it. Crafted of gold, it fairly glowed in the lamplight as she lifted the braided silver chain over her head. The medallion warmed against her skin. “How does it work?”

“It will vibrate when a Transylvanian vampire gets close enough to be a danger to you.”

Lily closed her hand over the pendant. She could feel the power vibrating within it. “Thank you, Granny.”

“Of course, we won’t know that it works properly until we test it.”

“How will we do that?”

“I thought we’d take a walk down Bourbon Street.”

“Right into the lion’s den,” Lily murmured.

“Indeed. We can wait until tomorrow night, if you’d rather.”

“No, let’s do it now.”

Armed with magic and a couple of sharp, wooden stakes, Lily and Ava strolled down Bourbon Street. Most of the shops were shuttered for the night, though the bars remained open.

Lily clasped the medallion, her nerves on edge as they entered one of the clubs. No sooner had they crossed the threshold, than the pendant began to vibrate, softly at first and then stronger when Claret suddenly appeared before them. As usual, she wore a long, slinky dress that outlined every curve. This one was deep purple silk.

“Well, well,” the vampire purred. “Look what we have here.”

Ava glanced at Lily, one brow arched in question.

“It works,” Lily said.

“What works?” Claret asked.

“Nothing that need concern you,” Ava said.

Frowning, the vampire glanced from Ava to Lily and back again. “What do you want?”

“Nothing. We were just passing by.”

Claret’s eyes narrowed with suspicion and then she shrugged. “If you’re smart, you’ll go home. A few of my friends are watching you rather hungrily.”

“We’re going, but first, have you seen Varden lately?”

“Perhaps.”

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