Page 102 of Enchant the Dawn

“And I, you,” Maddy replied.

“Lily’s come here hoping to find Dominic,” Ava said, filling three china cups with tea.

“Find him? I don’t understand. Is he missing?”

“In a way,” Lily said. “He’s blocked the whole family from communicating with him. My parents are worried, of course. But if anyone can find him, it’s me. After all, being twins, we share a bond stronger than most. I can usually get in touch with him even when nobody else can. But I’m not having any luck so far. If he’s in New Orleans, I can’t locate him.”

“How long has he been missing?”

“Since you left him,” Ava said, a faint note of accusation in her tone.

Maddy felt a twinge of guilt. If anything happened to him . . . She thrust the thought from her mind. He was a vampire. He could take care of himself and anyone who crossed his path.

“My brother loves you,” Lily said. “My parents are worried about him, because he’s never been in love before. He doesn’t always respond well to strong emotions.”

“You don’t think anything’s happened to him, do you?” Maddy asked anxiously.

“No. But this is the first time he’s shut us out completely. Naturally we’re all concerned.”

“Naturally,” Maddy agreed. “But I have no idea where he might be.”

“If you were to try to contact him, he might answer.”

“I’ll try,” Maddy said and reached for her phone.

“Not that way.” Lily tapped her temple with her forefinger. “Telepathically. Blood to blood.”

“Oh.” Taking a deep breath, Maddy closed her eyes and thought about Dominic, the deep tenor of his voice, the wonder of his touch, the excitement of his kisses. Dominic? Dominic, where are you? Please answer me.

Maddy, what’s wrong?

Your sister is here. She’s worried about you.

Maddy felt his disappointment as if it were her own. Dominic, are you there?

Tell Lily I’m fine.

Are you?

Why do you care?

His words sliced into her heart like a dagger.

And then he was gone.

When she opened her eyes, Lily and Ava were both staring at her.

“Well?” Ava said. “Did he reply? What did he say?”

“He said to tell Lily he’s fine.”

“That’s all he said?” Lily asked. “Where is he?”

“He didn’t say. I . . . I asked how he was and he asked why I cared.” She blinked back her tears. “And then there was just, I don’t know, emptiness.”

“Well, at least we know he’s still alive,” Ava remarked, blinking back a few tears of her own.

“Why did you leave him?” Lily asked.

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