Page 27 of Midnight Enchantment

“Gee,” he muttered dryly, “I wonder what you want.”

“Just a sip or two. My information is worth it.”

“Fine. You first.”

“There’s a vampire named Varden looking for Lily.”

“Never heard of him.”

“He’s an old one, perhaps four hundred years. He thinks if one of our males mates with Lily, they might be able to produce a child.”

Dominic stared at her. “Where the hell did he get an idea like that?”

She stared at him as if he wasn’t too bright. “Where do you think?”

“Right.”

“He thinks that because your parents—a witch and a vampire—produced young, there’s a chance that if one of the Transylvanian men mated with Lily—vampire and witch—she’ll conceive. He didn’t say as much, but I’m convinced he intends to mate with her himself.”

“It won’t work. He’s the wrong kind of vampire.”

“He doesn’t care. He’s determined to try.” Her gaze lingered on his throat again. “I didn’t have to come here and warn you, you know.”

Dominic grunted softly as he stepped out onto the porch and closed the door firmly behind him. “Don’t get carried away,” he cautioned. “I’d hate to have to break that pretty neck.”

With a seductive smile, Claret went up on her tiptoes—and sank her fangs gently into his throat.

Maddy would have a fit if she knew what he was doing, Dominic thought ruefully. After a few moments, he placed his hand on Claret’s shoulder. “That’s enough.”

A low growl rose in her throat as she sank her fangs deeper into his flesh.

“Enough!” he hissed.

With a reluctant sigh, she backed away, licked a bit of his blood from her lips, and smiled. “Just as good as I remember,” she murmured, and vanished from the porch.

Dominic stared after her, his thoughts troubled as he stared into the darkness and debated his next move.

Chapter Thirteen

Ava rapped on Lily’s bedroom door. The girl had stayed in her room for the last five days, only coming out when Ava insisted she eat something. “Lily?”

“Go away.”

“You’ve been moping long enough, child. You hardly knew the man.”

Ava stepped back as the door opened. Lily’s eyes were red and swollen and filled with such pain, Ava’s heart went out to her. “You’ve been crying again.” Pulling a tissue from her skirt pocket, Ava wiped Lily’s eyes. “As far as I’m concerned, he’s not worth a single one of your tears.”

“I guess you’re right,” Lily said. “But I thought he cared for me and I … I thought I might be falling in love with him.”

Ava drew Lily into her arms and hugged her. “I know you don’t believe it, but in time, the pain will pass. Why don’t you go wash your face and change your clothes and I’ll take you out for dinner. You’ve hardly eaten enough to keep a mouse alive in the last five days.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Maybe not for dinner,” Ava said. “But how about a banana split with double hot fudge and extra whipped cream?”

Lily sniffed. “If it’ll make you happy.”

“It will,” Ava assured her with a wink. “It’s just what you need.”

---