Page 9 of Enchant the Dawn

Chapter 4

After leaving Maddy’s house, Dominic went in search of prey. The lobster had been filling in its own way, but it didn’t satisfy his hunger. Only blood could do that. He headed for the dark underbelly of the city. Melding into the night, he stalked the streets looking for prey. And there was plenty to choose from. It seemed every alley and byway was inhabited with drug dealers, addicts, and prostitutes. Disgusted by the smell, he willed himself to the next town, where he found a middle-aged couple strolling down an otherwise deserted street.

He mesmerized them both, then took the woman in his arms. He spoke to her mind, quietly assuring her that he meant her no harm, before he lowered his head to her neck. Relief flowed through him as he drank. He took only what he needed to assuage his thirst before he released her and her companion from his thrall and disappeared from their sight.

As he made his way back to Maddy’s house, he wondered what her blood would taste like. Some was sweeter than others, some more potent, some more satisfying.

When he reached her place, he made his way around the perimeter, all his senses alert. But there was no sign of an intruder.

There was, however, a predator of a far more dangerous kind, he thought, as Claret materialized out of the shadows.

“What the hell are you doing here?” he hissed as all his protective instincts sprang to life.

“Looking for you, of course.”

Shit. “Why is that?”

She moved closer to him, her hand sliding up and down his arm. “Why do you think?”

“I have no idea,” he said, removing her hand. “You tell me.”

“So we can get to know each other better, of course.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

She glanced toward the porch. “Because of that woman?”

“No. Let’s just say we have nothing in common.”

“Of course we do. We’re both hunters, both powerful.” She grinned wolfishly as she jerked her chin toward the house. “Why don’t we go inside and have a drink?”

“I’m only going to tell you this once,” Dominic said. “If you lay a hand—or a fang—on her, I’ll rip your heart out. Are we clear?”

To his amazement, she burst out laughing. “My oh, my. You’re more like your father than I thought.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Oh, you should, believe me.” She wrapped her hand about his biceps and gave it a tug. “Come, have a drink with me.” Seeing the refusal rising in his eyes, she said, “I meant in a bar. So we can get to know each other better.”

Dominic considered it for a long moment. He was nowhere near as old as Claret. Still, with a witch and a vampire as parents, he had considerable power at his command. And Ava at his back. Tempted as he was to refuse, he was anxious to get Claret away from Maddy, and yes, curious to hear what the vampire had to say.

His decision made, he followed her into the city.

* * *

Claret took him to a tavern on Beale Street. It was dark inside, so dark that mere mortals would have been nearly blind. A jazz band played in one corner. A long bar ran the length of the back wall. The air smelled of beer and wine and blood.

All the patrons were Transylvanian vampires.

She led him to a booth in the back of the room. A moment later, a waitress brought them a bottle of wine and a pair of crystal goblets.

“The house special,” Claret said as she splashed wine into his glass and then hers.

Dominic swirled the dark red liquid in his glass, unleashing a rich bouquet and the underlying scent of fresh blood.

Claret lifted her goblet. “To new friends,” she purred.

He touched his glass to hers, acutely aware that he was surrounded by her kind and playing with fire. He wondered how long she had been a vampire. She was old in the life, of that he was certain. He was intrigued by the fact that she had known his father and wondered again what their relationship had been.

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