Page 71 of Midnight Enchantment

“I just found out a little while ago.”

He grunted softly, then released her when Ava knocked on the door.

“Lily, are you ready?” Ava called and then paused. “Is Raedan with you?”

“Yes. Come on in.”

Lily felt the tension in the room go up a notch as witch and vampire regarded each other. Mason stood in the hallway, behind Ava, his hand resting on her shoulder.

“I guess Lily told you what we’re planning,” Ava remarked.

Raedan nodded. “In a way. Are you leaving now?”

“Yes.” Ava held up her hand. “Before you ask, the answer is no. Taking you along isn’t a good idea. The Brotherhood still hunt your kind. If we show up with you in tow, they’ll never believe that we’ve come peacefully. Their first instinct will be to destroy you and we don’t want any bloodshed while we’re there.”

Raedan nodded slowly. “As you wish.” Drawing Lily into his arms again, he kissed her lightly. “I will see you soon.”

“I’ll miss you.”

“And I, you.” He kissed her again, and then vanished from the room.

“I have a bad feeling about this,” Ava muttered, wondering what the odds were that Raedan would stay behind. “Grab your things, Lily. It’s time to go.”

The Stronghold of the Knights of the Dark Wood was located in the Dark Forest in Connecticut, so named because it sat in the dark shadows of three mountains. Lily shivered as they made their way through the forest, which was rumored to be haunted, or so Ava had told her when they arrived. Lily had no doubt it was true. She could feel the lingering shadows of old death and decay, of sorcery and black magic. According to Ava, the place had once been known as Owlsbury, and had started as a small settlement way back in 1740. It had been a popular place until people and animals started disappearing without a trace. By the twentieth century, all the descendants of the town had died or moved away.

Ava had made no move to hide their presence so Lily wasn’t surprised when a delegation of Knights was waiting for them outside the Stronghold when they arrived. Made of dark gray stone, the place resembled an ancient fortress, complete with turrets at the four corners.

“Who goes there?” demanded one of the Knights, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

“Please tell Jeremy 26 that Ava Morgana Langley wishes to speak to him.”

The Knight frowned as he stared at her. “I know you,” he said.

“And I know you, Arnold 18. Please be so kind as to deliver my message.”

The Knight glanced from Lily to Mason and back to Ava. “Jason 30, advise the Elder Knight of their request.”

With a nod, the designated Knight rapped on one of the large double doors. It opened immediately and he disappeared inside.

“This is a hell of a place,” Mason remarked. “Do you really think he’ll see us?”

“I’m sure of it,” Ava said.

She had barely uttered the words when the door opened and they were ushered into a large, open area paved with stones. Twelve Knights were gathered there, all standing at attention.

A moment later, a Knight wearing a long white robe strode into the center of the opening. He was a tall man, somewhere in his mid-forties. Hair that had once been dark brown was now sprinkled with gray. His eyes were a sharp, a shade darker than his hair.

He inclined his head when he saw Ava. “Please, be seated,” he said, gesturing at a long wooden bench.

“Thank you.”

Lily and Mason sat on either side of Ava. Lily was filled with trepidation as she glanced around. There was strong magic in this place, both black and white.

At the Elder Knight’s signal, two of the men disappeared into the nearest building and returned carrying a jewel-encrusted chair fit for a king. When the Elder Knight was seated, his gaze rested in turn on each of his guests. “Why have you come here, uninvited?”

“I have come to thank you for upholding the truce made years ago. And to offer you and your Knights a gift.”

“A gift?” He lifted one brow. “Of what sort?”

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