Page 9 of Midnight Enchantment

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not sure. But I detect more than vampire when he’s around. And whatever it is, it’s not good I don’t want you to be alone with him..”

“I don’t need a babysitter. I’m twenty-five years old and a witch!” Lily exclaimed. “I can take care of myself.”

“Can you?”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Lily said as the waitress brought their orders. “Okay?”

Ava nodded. “All right,” she agreed.For now.

That night, after dinner, Lily tried to think of a plausible reason for going out that wouldn’t raise Ava’s suspicions. She had about run out of ideas when Ava knocked on her bedroom door.

“Lily?”

“Come in.”

Ava opened the door, but remained in the doorway. “I just had a call from a friend of mine.”

Lily’s brows shot up. “I didn’t know you had any friends in New Orleans.”

“I don’t. Joanna lives in Portland. Her husband is ill and the doctors have no idea what’s wrong with him. She wants me to come up and see if I can help.”

“Of course, you have to go. Is there anything I can do?”

“Just say a prayer, dear. Will you be all right, here, alone?”

“Granny, I’ll be fine.”

Looking doubtful, Ava said, “Maybe you should come with me. I’m sure Joanna wouldn’t mind.”

Lily blew out a sigh. “I’m a big girl now. Besides, Dominic and Maddy are just a phone call away and the house is warded against everything that walks, talks, or crawls. How long will you be gone?”

“Hopefully just overnight.”

“Stop worrying about me and go help your friend.” Lily made a shooing motion with her hands. “Maybe you should hurry?”

“You’re right, you’re right.” Ava conjured an overnight bag that Lily knew was already packed. “Keep the doors locked,” she admonished. “And the windows, too.”

“Yes, Granny.”

“Okay, okay, I’m going.”

“Don’t forget your broom,” Lily said with a grin.

“Ha-ha.” With a whispered word and a wave of her hand, Ava was gone.

Stomach churning with excitement, Lily changed her clothes, brushed out her hair, and applied her lipstick. With luck, she wouldn’t be late.

Raedan stood outside the movie theater, wondering if Liliana was merely late or had changed her mind. He guessed the latter, no doubt due to her great-grandmother’s suspicions. The woman was right to be concerned, but he meant the girl no harm. All he wanted was the company of a beautiful young woman to remind him that there was still good in the world.

He caught her scent wafting from the parking lot even before he saw her hurrying toward him, a vision in a blue-and-white polka-dot dress and white heels. A pink flower adorned her hair. She smiled uncertainly when she saw him.

“Sorry I’m late,” she said, cheeks flushed.

“No need to apologize.” He gestured toward the box office. “Shall we?”

Lily studied Raedan while he paid for their tickets. He was the most strikingly attractive man she had ever seen, and that was saying a lot, because all the men in her family were insanely handsome.

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