Page 115 of Enchant the Dawn

“The witch’s hands are to be shackled behind her back,” she went on in the same flat tone. “Her head must be covered. And she’s to drink the potion Jasper left on the front porch of my parents’ house before you bring her. Don’t try to locate me. He’s done something to block our bond. The directions to where I am are in the box with the potion. If you’re not here by midnight, don’t bother coming.”

“Maddy!”

But it was too late. The call ended. When he tried to call her back, there was no response. Apparently Jasper had destroyed the phone.

Shit! Pulling on a shirt and his boots, Dominic headed for Maddy’s parents’ place, where he found a plastic bag. A look inside showed a small black box. A thought took him to Ava’s house.

She was waiting for Dominic on the porch when he arrived.

“Jasper’s got Maddy,” he said curtly.

“I know.”

“How?”

Stepping back, she said, “We can’t discuss it out here.”

Dominic followed her into the living room. Too agitated to sit, he paced the floor in front of the fireplace as he relayed Maddy’s message. “What has he done to her?”

“I don’t know, but one thing is certain—he’s used dark magic on her.”

“Can you block it or break it?” he asked anxiously.

“Perhaps.”

Dominic swore under his breath. “Where the hell did he learn dark magic?”

“Most likely from the Elder Knight.”

He gestured at the bag, which reeked of dark magic. “Did Jasper use that same kind of magic on Maddy?”

“I doubt if he used anything so strong,” Ava said thoughtfully. “Open the bag.”

Dominic removed the box from the bag. As soon as he lifted the lid, the skin on his fingers blistered.

“Dark magic,” Ava murmured as she lifted a small bottle from inside. It was filled with a clear liquid. Slipping on a pair of heavy gloves, she took Dominic’s hands in hers. Eyes closed, she began to chant softly in Hungarian. After several moments, the blisters on his hands dried up and disappeared.

“Thanks.”

Still wearing the gloves, Ava uncorked the bottle, took a whiff, and quickly sealed it again.

“What is it?”

“More dark magic. It’s an old and powerful spell concocted by a black witch a thousand years ago. It’s been used on kings and queens through the ages by those who wanted to steal power. One drink and I’ll be a zombie for twenty-four hours, compelled to do whatever Jasper says.”

“Dammit, I can’t let you drink that stuff. You’d be powerless against him. There’s got to be another way!”

“What way would that be, Dom? Are you going to let him kill Maddy? He doesn’t want her. He wants revenge for the years he spent as a vulture, and because I refused to undo the Elder Knight’s enchantment.”

“I don’t give a damn what his reasons are, or what he wants. He’s got my wife and my child. I can’t just sit here and do nothing!”

“Calm down and listen to me. We’re going to need Lily’s help.”

“Lily!” Dominic exclaimed. “He’s already got my wife. I’m not giving him my sister, too!”

“Relax,” Ava said as she grabbed her cell phone. “I have a plan and Lily’s part of it. With luck, we’ll all see the better side of this yet.”

* * *

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