Page 4 of Enchant the Dawn

Dominic’s eyes widened in surprise. “You know my father?”

“Indeed. You look just like him. I should have realized who you were right away.” Her eyes glinted red as she licked her lips. “Not only do you look like him, but you taste like him, too.”

Dominic stared at her. Who the hell was she? And how had she known his father? Surely they hadn’t been lovers. He was just as certain that his father hadn’t willingly given a Transylvanian vampire his blood. Had they been enemies, then? “What do you want?”

“The same thing I wanted from your father.”

“And what was that?”

Her gaze darted to his throat.

It was all the answer he needed. “What’s so special about my father’s blood?”

“It was powerful. The most powerful I’ve ever tasted. I’ve craved it ever since.”

“Well, forget it. I’m not sharing.”

“We shall see.” She smiled, revealing her fangs. “We shall see,” she said again and vanished from his sight.

Chapter 2

Dominic had a lot to think about on his way home. The Knights of the Dark Wood were killing his people. A Transylvanian vampire who had not only known his father but had also tasted his blood was now hungry for his.

But it was the woman he had rescued who preyed on his mind. Who was she? Was she single? Engaged? Married? How could he arrange to see her again? It had to look like a chance meeting, he thought as he unlocked the door to the rented house he shared with his great-grandmother. He didn’t want her to think he was some depraved character who was stalking her.

In the bedroom, he undressed and slid under the covers. When he closed his eyes, her image rose in his mind—she had a wealth of wavy, dark blond hair, beautiful deep brown eyes, and a mouth he yearned to kiss.

One way or another, he had to see her again, he thought. And then he frowned. How was he going to explain his abrupt disappearance from her house? Dammit, he should have stayed and introduced himself. Instead, he had vanished without a word. No doubt she thought he had something to hide from the police, and that was why he’d taken off before they arrived.

Dominic swore under his breath. He had something to hide all right, he mused as he sank into the dark sleep of his kind. An ancient secret he was duty bound to keep.

* * *

Maddy woke late after a restless night. In the clear light of day, she felt foolish for leaving every light in the house on when she’d gone to bed, but the attack had shaken her badly. She no longer felt safe in her own home, even with all the doors and windows closed and locked. If the police released her attacker from jail, would he come after her?

Wondering if she would ever feel safe again, she went from room to room, turning off the lights, double-checking to make sure all the doors and windows were locked, even though she knew they were. She switched off the porch light and then headed for the kitchen in search of coffee.

Sitting at the table, she found herself thinking about the man who had come to her rescue. Who was he? How had he known she was in trouble? Had he heard her screams? Why had he left without a word? He had been an incredibly handsome man. Even now, she could see him clearly—tall and broad-shouldered, with thick, black hair and dark gray eyes. Like the Lone Ranger, he had come to her rescue and left without telling her his name.

With a sigh, Maddy refilled her cup. She hadn’t had any interest in men since she had ended her relationship with her last boyfriend nine months before. But her rescuer . . . there had been something about him. Or maybe she had just imagined it. After all, she had only seen him for a few brief moments.

Just her luck that she would likely never see him again.

* * *

Dominic rose with the setting of the sun, his first thought for the pretty woman with the deep brown eyes. He knew where she lived. Would she think it strange or suspicious if he stopped by her house? He could say he just wanted to make sure she was all right.

He thought about it while he showered, and the more he thought about it, the more reasonable it sounded. Stepping out of the shower, he pulled on a pair of jeans and a black T-shirt, stepped into his boots, and went out into the night.

She lived in a two-story white house with yellow shutters on a quiet street that smelled of jasmine and magnolias. Standing on the sidewalk, Dominic took a deep breath, then bounded up the stairs and knocked on the door before he lost his nerve.

A long moment passed before he heard the sound of footsteps, a shaky voice asking, “Who’s there?”

Her voice. He would recognize it anywhere.

“It’s Dominic. I’m the one who came to your aid last night.”

“What are you doing here?”

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