Page 72 of Midnight Enchantment

“A spell for their swords that will insure that they always strike true.”

“That would be welcome indeed,” the Elder Knight acknowledged. “And what do you require in return?”

“A small favor,” Ava replied. “I have in my possession a small black book that may hold the key to exorcising a blood-demon that has infected an acquaintance of mine. I was hoping you might grant me a few minutes in your library.”

“What do you hope to find?”

“A companion book to the one in my possession, one that will tell me how to unlock the secrets of the black book and decipher whatever message it holds.”

The Elder Knight stroked his jaw, his brow furrowed as he considered her proposal. “No outsider has ever been allowed access to our library.”

“I am aware of that,” Ava said, “but I was hoping you would make an exception for an old friend.”

“And if I refuse?”

Ava made a vague gesture with her hand. “I cannot believe you would be that foolish.”

The Elder Knight’s jaw tightened at her thinly veiled threat.

Ava waited patiently. She knew he was remembering the last time she had come to the Stronghold and the mayhem that had ensued.

“I will allow you one hour,” he decided.

“That is most gracious of you,” Ava said, smiling.

The Elder Knight rose. “Please, follow me.”

The library was located underground, in a large cavern hewn from stone. Lily shivered as she crossed the threshold, let out a sharp cry as the Elder Knight closed the door behind them, leaving them in total darkness.

Shivering with unease, she called on her magic and summoned a lantern.

And nothing happened.

“Ava!”

“I’m here.”

“Something’s wrong.”

“I know, child. The Elder Knight has betrayed us.”

“What do you mean?” Lily’s voice echoed against the damp, stone walls.

“When I knew the Elder Knight years ago, he possessed a small amount of magical ability. Since then, I fear he has been hard at work learning Dark Magic from a powerful black witch. Whoever she is, she has warded this room against any and all magic, both black and white and in-between.”

“Are you saying we’re trapped in here?”

“That depends on the Elder Knight’s motives.”

“It seems to me his motives are quite obvious,” Mason said dryly.

Lily jumped when a deep voice behind her said, “Good thing I am not a witch.”

“Raedan!” She cried his name as his arms folded around her waist. “I’ve never been so glad to see anyone in my life!”

“Be still.” Summoning the blood-demon’s power and drawing on his own, Raedan focused all his energy on opening the heavy iron door.

Lily buried her face against his back as waves of preternatural power swirled through the room. It caused her stomach to churn, raised the hairs on her arms. There was a harsh, grinding sound, a horrible scream as the door exploded outward, crushing the Knight who been guarding it.

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