Page 38 of Enchant the Dawn

“Believe it. It’s true.”

“Do your people drink blood?”

“Yes. But we don’t kill those we drink from. Except for that, we’re pretty much like humans.”

“I’ve never seen a human emerge from a . . . a cloud.”

“We have a lot of supernatural powers.”

“Why did you come here?”

“I’ve lost too much blood.” His gaze moved to the pulse throbbing in her throat. He needed blood and he needed it badly. “I didn’t have enough strength to make it to Ava’s.”

When she saw the direction of his gaze, her eyes widened and she lifted a hand to her neck.

“Please, Maddy? I only need a little.”

“Are you crazy? I’m not letting you bite me! I don’t want to be a vampire.”

“You won’t be. Just a little, Maddy, and I’ll be strong enough to leave.”

Before she could make up her mind, Ava appeared at Dominic’s side. Rolling up her sleeve, she held out her arm. “Drink, Dom.”

He didn’t argue. Grasping her wrist, he bent his head and drank.

Maddy wanted to look away, but she couldn’t. Watching him feed on Ava called to something primal within her, something that should have repulsed her but didn’t. What would it be like, to let him bite her like that? Would it hurt? Ava didn’t seem to be in any pain. Maddy watched for what seemed an eternity but was only a minute or two.

She stared in amazement as Dominic’s cuts healed and disappeared, saw him grow stronger before her eyes. Was it witch magic? Or the effect of Ava’s blood? Or both?

When he lifted his head, he licked the twin punctures in Ava’s wrist, and they, too, disappeared.

Murmuring his thanks, Dominic rose fluidly to his feet and helped Ava up. “I’m sorry I bothered you, Maddy.”

Ava looked at her but said nothing.

Before Maddy could frame a reply, they were both gone.

Maddy slumped back in the chair, unable to believe what had happened, but there was no denying the proof of her own eyes.

Dominic really was a vampire.

And she had let him down. He had come to her for help, and she had refused. She told herself there was no reason to feel guilty. Who in their right mind would willingly let a vampire drink from them? And how was she to know if he was even telling the truth about not killing people?

But try as she might, she couldn’t ease her guilt, no matter how many excuses she made.

* * *

“What the hell happened?” Ava asked when they reached home.

“Four of Claret’s coven attacked me. She wants my blood and seems determined to get it, one way or another.”

Ava stared at him. “You never told me that!” she exclaimed. And then she frowned. “I should have known. All those of her ilk crave Hungarian blood. Is there anyone in this city who isn’t after you?” she asked with a rueful grin.

“Maddy isn’t.”

Ava waved her hand in dismissal. “She doesn’t deserve you.”

Dominic removed his bloody shirt and tossed it into the fireplace. “Why? Because she wouldn’t let a vampire feed on her?”

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