Page 42 of Midnight Enchantment

Raedan glanced around as they strolled hand-in-hand toward the town. The compound was laid out in concentric circles. The Falconer house, a huge, old mansion made of gray stone, sat in the middle, surrounded by smaller homes. Schools and playgrounds occupied the next ring in the circle.

Beyond the smaller homes and schools lay the town, a city in itself, he thought, as they passed restaurants, grocery stores, a post office, what looked like a government office of some kind, a shopping mall, hair salons and barber shops. The movie theater was located across from the shopping mall.

The streets were immaculate. Not a scrap of paper littered the sidewalks. There were no cans in the gutters. The buildings were all immaculate—no faded paint, no graffiti or cracked windows, no roofs in need of repair, no businesses boarded up. There were very few cars in evidence, but that was to be expected. When you could transport yourself anywhere you wanted to go with no more than a thought, why bother to drive?

They passed several people. The men, all Hungarian vampires, regarded him warily, then nodded at Liliana, who inclined her head in acknowledgement. The women were more friendly, nodding at him politely, openly smiling at Lily, who was obviously known and well-liked by the populace.

When they reached the theater, they took a place in line behind several dozen others. As the vampires caught Raedan’s scent, they turned to look at him, their eyes filled with suspicion—until they recognized Liliana.

“Good thing you are with me,” Raedan said dryly, “or I would have a fight on my hands.”

“It always amazes me that vampires can tell one kind from another. I mean, you all look pretty much like ordinary people.”

“Do you not recognize other witches?”

“Not always. Why do you and your kind hate my father’s people?”

He shook his head. “I have no idea. The reason has been lost in antiquity.” They were at the ticket window now. He bought two and they moved into the lobby. “Would you like something?”

“Popcorn and a small soda, please,” Lily said.

Raedan nodded, his nose wrinkling in distaste as the scents of butter and salt, hot dogs and mustard, assaulted his senses, along with the thunder of so many beating human hearts, and the tantalizing aroma of blood. How did the Hungarian vampires stand it?

“Are you all right?” Lily asked. And then frowned. “It’s the smell of all the food in here, isn’t it? Do you want to go somewhere else?”

“No, it is all right.” His gaze lingered on the hollow of her throat and the pulse beating there.

Lily didn’t miss the faint flicker of red in his eyes as they turned away from the counter and entered the auditorium.

They found two seats toward the back.

“Do you think I’m really in danger from that vampire who’s hunting me?” Lily asked when they were settled.

“Yes.”

His curt answer sent a shiver down her spine. “I was hoping to go back to Ava’s, but maybe it’s not a good idea. At least not now.”

“Would staying here be so bad?”

“Not as long as you’re here with me.”

He slipped his arm around her shoulders as the lights went down. “I will be here as long as you want me,” he murmured. And even if she didn’t, he intended to stay nearby as long as Varden was a threat.

It was hard to concentrate on what was happening on the screen with Liliana so close beside him. He likely would have enjoyed the film, since he got a kick out of super-hero movies, knowing he could easily do all the things they accomplished with green screens and computer images. But her presence distracted him on so many levels—the fragrance of her perfume tickling his nostrils, the beating of her heart, the faint whisper of the blood flowing so enticingly through her veins. The unique scent of the woman herself.

He was relieved when the movie was over. Outside, he took a deep breath. “Where to now, love?”

“A walk in the park?”

“As you wish.”

The park was located two blocks from the movie theater. It was large and lush and green. Winding paths lined with tall trees led through a veritable forest of flowers and shrubs. The path they followed led to a large lake. Small sailboats were docked along the shore.

He had to admit, the Hungarian compound was one of the most beautiful places he had ever seen. But not as beautiful as the woman beside him. Unable to resist any longer, he pulled her into his arms.

Lily smiled up at him, her eyelids fluttering down as his mouth covered hers. As always, the mere touch of his lips sent shivers of pleasure coursing through her. She leaned into him as his hand slid seductively up and down her spine.

“Liliana.” He groaned her name as desire and hunger flamed to life within him, fueled by his own need and that of the demon inside him.

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